Today was the day Regan finally got to leave the hospital. After three long months of worry and fear, seeing him well enough to go home felt like a miracle. I helped his parents pack up his things, and once we had everything together, we all climbed into the car. Regan settled carefully into his seat, wincing slightly but determined to be strong.
On the way home, I couldn't help but tease him about his cautious, stiff walk. He looked like he was trying to balance on eggshells, and I found myself holding back laughter. But I might have gone a bit too far because, in my excitement, I accidentally brushed his injury. Regan cried out, and I immediately felt guilty.
"Oops! Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you," I said quickly, leaning over to check if he was okay.
Regan rolled his eyes, wincing but smiling. "Right, you just wanted to make me feel the pain again to make sure I’m really alive," he teased, trying to laugh it off.
As we arrived at his house, Regan’s parents and I helped him get inside. His mom fussed over him, fluffing the pillows on the couch and making sure he was comfortable. Regan tried to wave her away, insisting he was fine, but she wasn’t having it.
Once he was settled, I offered to help his mom prepare lunch. She initially refused, saying I was a guest, but I insisted, wanting to do something for Regan and his family after everything they had been through. She finally relented, so we headed into the kitchen together.
We cooked up a comforting meal: a warm vegetable soup, soft bread, and a few of Regan’s favorite dishes. As we worked, I learned a few of Regan’s childhood stories from his mom, and we laughed as she shared memories of his mischievous antics. Every now and then, I’d peek into the living room and catch Regan watching us, an amused smile on his face.
By the time lunch was ready, Regan’s dad had helped him to the table, and we all sat down to eat. Regan’s face lit up when he tasted the food, giving me a thumbs-up between bites. He’d lost a lot of weight while he was in the hospital, so seeing him eat with such enthusiasm made me feel relieved.