I got into bed sometime after one o'clock, the alarm went off far too soon. Thankfully with arriving late the night before, the coaches cut film and meetings a bit short, we were dismissed by noon. I was battered and bruised, exhausted from no sleep, I spent the rest of the day in bed, sleeping through until early the next morning. I got up early Tuesday morning, ran a few errands and was back home by ten o'clock in the morning. I was sitting in the hot tub by the pool, when my phone rang. I answered it quickly, it was someone was the team's office.
"Is this Brian Stevens ?", the female voice asked.
"Yes mam, it is.", I answered.
"Brian, this is Linda Kelley, I work in public relations for the team. I have received a request for a personal appearance, I wanted to pass it on to you.", she said.
"Ok, what do you need me to do ?", I asked.
She went on to tell me that this was not a team organized event, it was a call from a private individual, requesting my time. Since all she had was a number, I asked that she please call my phone back and leave it on my voice mail. She did as I asked a minute later, I would wait until I got back up to my condo to call and get the details. I swam a few laps in the pool to cool off, then headed upstairs. After getting dressed I checked voice mail, copied the number she had left and hung up. I called the number back immediately, it was a local number. It took several rings before the call was answered, the man appeared to be out of breath.
"Hello.", he panted.
"Hello sir. My name is Brian Stevens, I had a message from our front office to call this number, about an appearance ?", I asked.
"Oh my God, I never really thought you would get the message.", he answered.
"I just got it about an hour ago sir. How can I help you.", I asked.
There was a long pause at the other end of the phone, like perhaps the man was trying to think of the right words to use.
"I am calling about... my son….. Um, he is in the hospital right now….he's not…well he's really sick. Anyway, you two have the same name….. well except his is B-r-y-a-n. Well he has always been a big fan, but you're his favorite player. And last week…after you scored the second touchdown, we could….barely contain him.", he said, his voice choked with emotion.
"Wow, I already have a fan.", I replied.
"Yes you do. Anyway I was wondering….. If you're not too busy….maybe you could…stop by the hospital for a minute or so. It would mean the world to him…well to us. My wife and I.", he asked, sincerely.
"I would be more than happy to sir. I practice during the week, I am usually finished by one o'clock in the afternoon. Weekends are usually rough right now during the season.", I replied.
"How about Friday evening, maybe five o'clock or so ?", he asked.
"That should be fine sir.", I answered.
He went on to explain to me that his son was at Chidren's Hospital in town, he gave me the floor, room number and the full name. I promised to see him Friday evening at the predetermined time. I was sitting around the condo a few hours later watching TV, when I remembered what Alexis had told me during our early meetings. She had asked that any and all requests for appearances be cleared through her office. I picked up the phone, scanned the numbers then dialed her.
"Hey Alexis, thing is Brian, you have a minute ?", I asked.
"Of course Brian, what can I do for you ?", she replied.
I explained to her what had happened hours earlier with the phone call. I told her that I had committed to the appearance without thinking about what she had told me, that I was supposed to check in with her. She went on to explain what she meant by appearances was anything that I would be compensated for, public appearances, autograph signings or endorsements. Anything like a personal visit was totally up to me, as long as it didn't interfere with team policy, which she confirmed, this would not. I thanked her for her time and hung up.
The rest of the week drug by, I was still somewhat sore by the time Friday rolled around. We had practiced hard that week we would be playing Kansas City at home this Sunday at noon. We were favored by six points, it was a game that, if we played well, we should win. I got home Friday after practice, showered then dressed to go downtown. I left the condo about four o'clock, then drove downtown to the hospital. I had a rough time trying to navigate the parking area, I finally made my way into the garage structure across the street. I made my way across the street into the main entrance of the hospital, then to the elevators. I rode up to the fourth floor, I was alone. The doors opened, I stepped into the hallway looking both ways. On my left I saw a large circular nurse's station, several young girls seated behind computers. I walked over to the desk, leaning on the counter as the young woman typed.
"Can I help you ?", she asked, without looking up.
"Yes mam, I am here to see Bryan Butler.", I replied.
She stopped typing and looked up quickly, she was quite attractive. I could tell she was immediate startled at my size, she pushed back sharply in her chair, standing up.
"Are you family ?", she asked.
"No mam, my name is Brian Stevens, the boy's father asked me if I would come by and see him.", I replied.
By now the second nurse had turned around and walked up behind her co-worker. She nudged her gently in the back causing her to turn and look at the other woman.
"He's the football player Mr. Butler told me about.", she said, smiling.
"Oh alright then. I can let you through in about fifteen minutes. One of his parents has to be here, they usually get here about five thirty. You can sit there and wait if you would like.", she offered, pointing to a large sofa aginst the wall.
I took a seat leaning back relaxing, watching the non stop activity that went on at this area of the hospital. Nurses, doctors and other worker's constantly back and forth, checking charts, talking on the phone, going in and out of the rooms. About ten minutes later a woman approached the station, you could tell she was a regular visitor.
"Hey Jenny, how are you today honey?", she asked the young nurse.
"I'm great Mrs. Butler, thank you. Oh, Bryan has a visitor.", she replied, pointing in my direction.
I stood up slowly, as the woman approached me gingerly. She slowly extended her small hand to mine, her handshake was soft and feminine.
"It's so nice of you to do this for Bryan. I …. I can't tell you….how much this means to us.", she said, her eyes filling with tears.
"It's my pleasure mam.", I answered.
She went on to tell me that Bryan was seven years old, battling his second bout of leukemia in as many years. Treatment appeared to be working but this was a disease that was so unpredictable. She told me he had just underwent several treatments over the past few days, so he would still be feeling somewhat weak. I followed her slowly down the hall to the last room on the right, where she slowly pushed the door opened.
In the bed laid a small frail boy, he was extremely pale. There were several tubes attached to his arms, monitors on other parts of his body. He had blue knit cap on his head, it appeared he was completely bald under the hat. As I approached the bed, his eyes were closed, he was sleeping peacefully. As I looked at the small child, I couldn't help but feel a rush of heartbreak, thinking about my Courtney, how much I missed her. The boy's mother leaned over, kissing him gently on the cheek. The boy's eyes opened, a weak smile formed on his lips.
"Hey sweetheart, how are you feeling today ?", she asked.
"I'm ok… Mom.", he answered.
"Guess who's here ?", she asked.
The boy slowly turned his head towards me, his weak smile turning into a huge grin. I smiled back at the child, stepping forward and shaking his small hand, very gently, making sure not to disturb any of the medical attachments.
"Hello Bryan, I'm so glad to meet you. Someone from the team office called me and told me I had a fan. Well , I have never had a fan before, so since you're my first, I just had to come meet you.", I told him.