Crossing several streets, he quickly entered the scope of Madison Avenue. A Victorian-style building with a deep red hue appeared in his line of sight – an abrupt yet wondrous integration into the surrounding streets.
As the forefront of European settlement in North America, New York bore countless imprints of European influence. Take Harlem, for instance; the name itself was of Dutch origin, harkening back to a time when this area belonged to the Dutch. The building before him was erected in the mid-19th century, a significant departure from colonial times. Nevertheless, the designer had drawn inspiration from the exotic styles of the neighboring blocks, creating a captivating scene.
Renly swiftly entered through the gates and stowed away his skateboard. On the ground floor, he greeted a young lady named Kelly behind the counter and handed her the skateboard.
Kelly, upon receiving the skateboard, beamed a wide smile. "You're here!"
Renly responded with a smile of his own. "I'm five minutes late. I'll head up first; we can catch up later." Kelly nodded in agreement, placing the skateboard beneath the counter. Renly then hastened towards the elevator, managing to slip in just before the doors closed.
The elevator stopped on the seventh floor. As Renly stepped out, he noticed a girl of about six or seven seated on an orange plastic stool. She propped up her chin with both hands, her lips pouted in frustration. The puffed cheeks resembled a bubblefish, an unexpectedly amusing sight.
Approaching her, Renly crouched down in front of the girl. He gently patted her head, but she stubbornly turned away, her brow furrowing in a knot. With a fierce expression, she glared at Renly. "I'm thinking! Don't disturb me!" Her adult-like demeanor was truly endearing.
Suppressing his amusement, Renly adopted a serious tone. "Did you not have a bowel movement today?"
Gritting her teeth, the girl waved her chubby right fist and then slammed it onto her left palm. "Renly, I haven't gone for three days! Three days!" She heaved a dramatic sigh, her demeanor exasperated. "Jesus Christ, am I filled with poop now? I feel like I can't even get clean after a shower."
Renly's laughter was nearly bringing tears to his eyes. However, he struggled to keep it silent, clenching his fist as he cheered her on. "I believe in you! Today will be the day!"
The little girl shook her fist as well, her face adorned with a look of "either I succeed or I'll be damned trying". "Today, it's happening! I've decided to go to the restroom and prepare. I can't be with you for now!"
"Don't worry, I can handle it alone. I won't get lost, I promise!" Renly reassured her earnestly. Encouraging each other once more, they parted ways. Renly watched as the little girl, sporting a solemn expression, walked solemnly towards the restroom. Her adult-like demeanor was truly comical.
The building was actually a hospital – Mount Sinai Hospital, one of the finest children's hospitals in New York.
In his previous life, Renly had spent one-third of his life in a hospital. The passage of time had imbued him with a complex mix of emotions towards hospitals: a bit of aversion, a touch of loathing, yet also some nostalgia. He knew better than anyone the enduring agony of extended hospital stays. He was well-aware that the torment, invisible to outsiders, couldn't be understood unless experienced personally. Even friends who had been patients might not fully comprehend because each patient battled their own inner demons and had their own story.
At times, patients would inexplicably flare up, lashing out at those around them. There was no rhyme or reason, no control. For family and friends, all they could do was stand by, anxious to help yet utterly helpless, repeatedly asking, "What do you need?" Once the patient spoke, they'd spare no effort in offering assistance.
But Renly knew, deep down, they didn't actually want anything; they were simply... lost. The care, concern, suffering, and torment from loved ones and friends—they knew, all of them knew, yet it couldn't change the fact that the illness had taken hold. It couldn't change the stark reality that left everyone helpless. That anger, jealousy, and suppressed frustration that erupted from the depths of their souls, even they couldn't control it. Though they knew it wasn't their family and friends' fault, they couldn't find a target for their outbursts, could they?
Perhaps they just needed someone by their side. Someone they could ignore wholeheartedly yet still find steadfastly present.
They knew this was a demanding ask. Even their family had their lives to lead, lives that couldn't halt indefinitely due to their illnesses. But what more could they ask for?
In this lifetime, starting from high school, Renly had been volunteering at the hospital every week. When he turned eighteen, he obtained a professional nursing assistant license, hoping to help more within his capacity. Even when he changed cities, he never stopped his actions. For the past eight months, apart from the period he was filming "The Pacific", he continued volunteering at nearby hospitals in Australia.
It wasn't kindness, nor was it charity. It was simply empathy.
The little girl from earlier was named Annie Seliman. She had been residing at Mount Sinai Hospital during Renly's filming period. Renly had inquired about her condition, and the doctor had spewed forth a multitude of medical terms. Despite Renly's subsequent research into medical jargon, his understanding remained limited. He only knew that Annie had issues with her metabolic system, making it difficult for her body to carry out basic functions, not just bowel movements, but also sweating.
If, after a certain period, she couldn't independently excrete waste, medical intervention became necessary. Upon his return to New York, Renly had witnessed Annie undergoing treatment once. Her frail form lay helplessly on the hospital bed, tubes crisscrossing her body, a silent invalid for three days. She couldn't do anything, not even speak. The lengthy ordeal was agonizing even for observers; what about Annie herself?
"Renly, Renly, Renly!" A whistling sound like a tiny train erupted from behind. Before Renly could turn around, a young child leaped onto his back. "Airplane, airplane, pilot the airplane!"
Renly held onto the child's bottom with both hands, stood up, and began to twirl swiftly. Then, with a streak of enthusiasm, he sprinted forward. The child on his back cheered ecstatically. "I'm flying! Look, I'm flying, Anita, Anita!"
Nurse Anita Tunisia, the head nurse inside, chuckled helplessly. Sitting up slightly, she cried out, both laughing and crying, "Renly, not for too long, not too vigorous, Alex's heart can't handle it!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Renly shouted back, then carrying Alex on his back, he jogged in quick, short strides, asking in jest, "Commander! Please provide destination instructions!"
With determination, Alex Reich lifted his upper body, using every ounce of strength within him, and shouted loudly, "Normandy!"
Renly had no idea where the little guy had picked up "Normandy", but he didn't have time to chuckle. Alex's voice was far too loud, alarming the entire floor. Many people rushed out—this was not good. Disturbing other patients' rest was a universally condemned act. Without delay, Renly grabbed Alex's little legs and gave him a boost upward. He landed on Renly's shoulder before being hoisted at the waist, then hoisted over Renly's head. In an instant, the young lad was cradled in his arms. "Commander, all enemies are alerted! We must escape quickly!"
Giggles sounded from within Renly's arms. With Alex on board, Renly dashed to the end of the corridor, entering the family rest area. There, he huddled against the back of a chair, much like a soldier seeking cover.
Alex covered his mouth with both hands but continued to laugh heartily. The corridor, however, grew chaotic. Nurses whispered through clenched teeth while some parents emerged. Other parents unfamiliar with the situation believed something had gone awry, prompting the informed parents to explain with cheerful smiles.
"Alex Reich!" A nurse stood at the bench's end, hands on her hips. "You haven't finished your noon medication, and you snuck out! How do you think Renly will deal with you?"
Renly's eyes widened, watching the mischievous little fellow. Before he could speak, Alex hurriedly confessed, "I'll go take it, I'll take it now! Renly, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." His watery eyes gazed at Renly pitifully, much like a small pup.
Renly wrinkled his nose, ruffling Alex's hair. "Hurry and take your medicine, then come to Hazel's room. I'll make kites for you guys, and we'll fly them this afternoon!"
"Really?" Alex's eyes lit up uncontrollably. Renly pointed to the massive backpack on his shoulder. "Of course!"
At that remark, Alex burst out of Renly's embrace without delay. He didn't wait for the nurse. In a flash, he dashed out. "Hurry, hurry, I need to take my medicine! I need to take my medicine!" Helpless, the nurse trailed behind, shouting, "Alex, slow down, slow down."
Alex, ten years old this year, had spent two years at Mount Sinai Hospital due to congenital heart disease. In reality, he could have convalesced at home—so long as he avoided intense exercise, his daily life wouldn't be significantly impacted. However, his parents were constantly busy; they spent three hundred and fifty days of the year away from home. Employing a private caregiver proved futile; Alex wreaked havoc, so they left the young lad at the hospital, where at least he had friends.
Rising to his feet, wiping the sweat off his forehead, Renly strode forward. Along the way, he greeted parents with familiarity, eventually halting at the door to room "314". The earlier commotion hadn't disturbed the serenity here. Renly knocked lightly to provide a heads-up before pushing the door open, greeting with a smile. "Good afternoon, Hazel. The sunlight today is truly lovely, isn't it?"