Henry returned to the Hospital ward to volunteer
"How have you been?" Henry asked, his voice low, careful, as he pulled up a chair beside her bed.
"Chemo sucks," she replied weakly, the words barely above a whisper.
Henry nodded, letting the silence hang for a moment. 'Yeah… I remember this feeling. The waiting, the numbness, the tiny sparks of hope. Nothing changes much, even years later.'
"How's your progress been going?" he asked, trying to sound casual but encouraging.
"They said I'm getting a lot better… aggressive chemo and a new doctor. He seems nice," she said, giving a faint smile.
"That's great. Is there any way I can help you?" Henry asked gently, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I don't… I just want to rest and listen to music peacefully, without any interruptions," she murmured, pulling the blanket a little closer.
"Alright," Henry said softly. "But call me if you feel lonely." She nodded, and he stood, hesitating for a second to glance at her peaceful face. 'Still fighting. Still alive. Good.'
He spent the rest of the day volunteering in the ward, helping where he could, the quiet hum of hospital life a strange comfort. Meanwhile, she lay back, music filling the spaces between machines and monitors. 'Maybe some battles are won quietly.'
Later, Henry made his way to the café where he had worked—not as an employee now, but visiting old friends.
"Hey, Stanley, how have you been?" he called out, his tone bright.
"Hey! How've you been?" Stanley replied, wrapping him in a warm hug.
"Doing good. I'm here to audition for another role," Henry said, pride threading his voice.
"Wow… the British kid I picked up off the streets actually became a star," Stanley said with a nostalgic smile.
Henry opened his mouth to make a sharp, teasing remark, but Stanley cut him off. "Oh yeah… I need your help around the café," he said before Henry could.
"Sure, I don't mind—but I'm not wearing that tight uniform again, just the apron," Henry said, rolling his eyes playfully.
Stanley nodded, and Henry tied the apron around his waist, stepping back to survey the room.
The first table he approached brought a grin to his face: Taylor Swift, sitting quietly, her curls catching the morning light.
"Hi, I'll be your server today," he said, smiling professionally.
Taylor looked up and froze for a second before launching herself at him. "HENRY!" she exclaimed, wrapping him in a warm hug.
"God… how long has it been since we've seen each other?" Henry laughed, hugging her back. 'Still the same energy. Still somehow calming.'
"I was just about to order," she said, stepping back slightly. "You can take my order, and then we can catch up while I eat."
Henry nodded, maintaining the professional veneer. "What can I get you today?"
As he scribbled down her order, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Hey, Taylor… I was thinking. There's someone I want to make a little happy today. Someone special in the hospital I volunteer at—her name's Beth. She's been going through a tough time, and I thought maybe you could help me surprise her."
Taylor's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh, I love surprises! What do you have in mind?"
Henry smiled. "I was thinking… maybe I could bring you along when I deliver something small to her. Just a song or a signed card, maybe something personal. She loves music… and you. Honestly, she'd freak out a little."
Taylor grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "Of course! That sounds perfect. Let's do it. We'll make her day."
Stanley cleared his throat impatiently from behind the counter, snapping them back to reality. Taylor giggled, slightly embarrassed, and Henry finished taking her order with practiced efficiency. 'Little moments like this… they matter more than anyone notices.'
Henry brought her meal and set it down carefully. Taylor's eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, and she leaned back in her chair, taking a small bite. 'Still the same way she brightens a room… reminds me why I keep doing this.'
After finishing his shift, Henry prepared a small package for Beth: a card, a few of her favorite snacks, and a handwritten note. Taylor, eager to participate, agreed to come along, holding her guitar case lightly against her shoulder.
"You ready for this?" Henry asked as they approached the hospital ward.
"Absolutely. This is going to be fun," Taylor replied with a mischievous grin.
Inside the ward, Henry guided Taylor quietly toward Beth's room. The hallway smelled faintly of antiseptic, mixed with flowers from a nearby windowsill. Henry paused at the door, motioning for Taylor to stay back slightly.