“Juniper Blue,” Emily said, her face reddening. “Be polite.” She then laughed. “Well, it is hospital food. I guess try the soup and tea. Just a little to see if you like them. Don’t want to be wasteful if you don’t, but it’s okay if you don’t like them.” She shot me a look that suggested she didn’t think Juniper was going to like it.
Juniper popped the lid from the soup and downed a spoonful, her face lighting up. “This is the best tomato soup I’ve ever had. Even better than Mama’s.”
I winced, but Emily laughed. “That’s impressive.”
“It’s the herbs,” I offered with a shrug. “Like I said, though, I didn’t make it. I’ll send your regards to Marino.”
Juniper then took a sip of the ginger tea. “Oh, this tastes good too.”
Emily’s eyebrows went up. “You like the ginger tea?”
Her daughter nodded quickly. “I love it.” She returned to attacking her soup with gusto.
“She’s not had much of an appetite,” Emily said. “Hard to say if it’s from the bad food or from being sick, but either way, I’m glad to see her eating so much again.”
“She’s looking a lot better.” I watched Juniper slurp down another spoonful of soup. “And she’s more full of life than I’ve seen in the last few days.”
Emily smiled warmly. “Yes, she’s feeling a lot better. The doctors say the new antibiotic is working even better than they expected. They’re talking about letting her out of here tomorrow as long as her test results look okay. They said it’ll be better for her to finish up her final recovery at home since she’s now past the worst of it, and she won’t need IV antibiotics anymore.”
Juniper let out a little cheer before returning to her tea and soup. “Yay. I’m tired of the hospital.”
“That’s great to hear,” I said, offering them both warm smiles.
Palpable relief washed through me. Both mother and daughter wouldn’t have to be uncomfortable for much longer.
A loud burp filled the room. Emily and I spun toward Juniper.
She looked down at the ground, her cheeks reddening, her hand over her mouth. “Sorry. It was really good,” she mumbled.
“Juniper Blue!” Emily said.
“I said sorry, Mama.”
I laughed. “If we get your bowl and cup cleared away, I have something else for you.” I held up the laptop. “A little entertainment.”
“Oh, thank you, Logan,” Emily said. “The TV is on the fritz.”
She cleaned off the table and deposited the bowl, cup, and spoon into the garbage.
I set the laptop and opened the laptop, facing me. I plugged it in into a nearby wall. The battery lasted a long time, but I didn’t want a sick little girl to have to worry about her movie stopping suddenly.
“I’ve already connected to the hospital network,” I said. I turned the computer around, having already set it up to play Moana.
Juniper clapped her hands together. “I love this movie.”
“I figured you would.” I glanced over at Emily. “If it’s all right with your mother.”
Emily nodded quickly, and I started the movie. Juniper cheered.
The difference from the day before was striking. She looked so miserable before, but now she was the hyper and friendly young girl I knew.
“Logan, may I speak with you in the hallway for a second?” Emily said.
“Sure.”
I followed her out into the hallway. She closed the door behind me and then glanced back and forth as if looking for someone.
My heart kicked up. I’d thought she’d be pleased with what I’d done, but maybe I’d overstepped my bounds, and she was about to let me have it. Of course, she wouldn’t risk yelling in front of her sick daughter and upsetting her.