Kate set the food out of the boxes and containers neatly arranged. She arranged Noah's food on the overbed table adding an extra chicken and a slice of cake.
Lila noticed.
Her protective side kicking in immediately. "Kate…" Lila began with a skeptical look, "you know he can't have too much salt, and sugar—"
Kate raised a hand with a smile. "Relax. Minimal salt, no harmful seasoning, I promise. Nothing that's going to hurt him. It's a sponge cake and boiled chicken."
Noah, already looking at the food like it was a treasure chest, turned to his sister with exaggerated puppy-dog eyes. "Lila… please? It's been forever since my tongue touched something delicious."
Lila's lips pressed into a line, but seeing his pure happiness and the way Kate was smiling at him melted her resistance. She just couldn't refuse his green puppy eyes of anything. She sighed in defeat placing her hands on her hip. "Fine. But only because you look like a starving puppy."
Noah grinned like he'd just won the lottery.
"Just don't let Harris catch you. I wasn't here." She added waiting for her own food.
Kate handed Lila her own plate noticeably smaller, without the extra treats. Lila eyed the difference and smirked.
Ok, so this is what they call an obvious betrayal.
She folded her arms, tilting her head a bit. "Remind me again Kate… who's your real best friend? Me or my brother?"
Kate grinned. "Hmm… that's a hard one."
Noah jumped in quickly raising his hand. "Me, obviously."
"You wish!" Lila rolled her eyes brushing her hair to the the back of her ear. "I've known her longer!"
Kate just laughed as she handed Noah his plate. "You two can fight about it later."
Lila looked at Noah's plate again and raised an eyebrow. "You know what? I think you're secretly trying to replace me as her best friend."
Noah took a big bite of chicken. "Maybe I am. And it's working."
"Fine," Lila said with a smirk. "Keep her. you both are traitors anyways."
"But we love you." Kate said laughing.
"Don't." Lila pouted, turning on the chair.
"Why's she acting like the kid here." Noah spouted with food in his mouth.
"Don't know." Kate laughed harder, poking Lila.
They all laughed, and for a while, it felt like there was no hospital, no sickness, no heavy thoughts. Just three people enjoying a good meal together.
Noah even offered, "We can switch plates if you want."
Lila shook her head. "Nope. Keep your extra food. I'll survive."
They talked and ate until the clock on the wall struck ten. Kate wiped her hands and sighed. "We have to go, Lila. Work calls."
Lila nodded, then turned to Noah. She tucked him in properly, making sure his blanket was warm around him. "If you need me, call me, okay?" she said as she placed his phone beside him.
"Got it," Noah said, smiling softly.
Lila leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Take care of yourself. I love you."
"I love you too, sis."
Kate hugged Noah again. "Be good, alright? I'll check on you soon."
"I will," Noah promised. " If you bring more cake."
"No cake." Lila interrupted before Kate could reply.
"Relax, his buds also need those sometimes." Kate walked over to Lila. "Just take care champ." She smiled before turning to the door.
The two women left the room, Lila glancing back one last time before closing the door.
At the reception, the older black lady behind the counter looked up and smiled warmly. "How's he?."
"He's fine Harris," Lila replied. "Thank you."
"It's nothing. He just reminds me so much of my son." Mrs. Harris replied smiling. "Hope he gave him no baked flour."
Lila and Kate laughed awkwardly facing each other. "Of course not. It all good."
"Just some rice and saltless soup." Kate added.
Mrs. Harris look at them with a skeptical look. "Hmm."
Lila quickly changed the topic smiling. "Please take care of Noah for me."
"You know I will," Mrs. Harris said kindly.
Lila pulled out some cash. "Here's part of the money for today's treatment. I'll bring the rest tomorrow."
Mrs. Harris nodded. "Alright, dear. Don't forget the bills for the drugs too."
Before Lila could answer, Kate stepped forward and handed over money. "I'll cover that."
Kate stepped in quickly. "I've got that," she said, paying for the medication without hesitation.
Lila looked at her. "Kate, you didn't have to—"
"Shh," Kate said, waving it off. "It's fine."
The payment was made, and they both walked out into the cool night air.
Lila's steps were slower than usual, her shoulders slightly hunched. Kate noticed but stayed quiet.
She knew her best friend had already been through enough for the day.
------------------------
The Neon Club was already in full swing by the time they arrived, the heavy bass thrummed through the floor, seeping into Lila's bones.
The air was thick with the smell of perfume, sweat, and the faint scent of alcohol.
It was just as usual, the people, the dances, the alcohol, and the neon lights that made it feel like the outside world didn't exist.
It was Monday night, yet the place looked like it was hosting the weekend's biggest party.
People crowded the bar, laughter erupted from various corners, and the clinking of glasses were constant.
It made Lila nauseous, but what choice did she have?
'It's my job and I need to make money.' She thought to herself.
Work was work, and no amount of tiredness was going to pay her bills or take care of Noah.
She had changed into her work outfit in the back room. A fitted black skirt that hugged her hips, a plain white shirt tied at her waist, and an apron hanging low on her hips.
Her hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, strands falling loose around her face, but she still wore her usual faint lipstick and eyeliner for that slight "put-together" look she liked.
She was relieved to see that tonight, the stranger from her one-night stand 'Spike' wasn't among the crowd.
Just the thought of him made her stomach twist in a mix of embarrassment and shyness.
It was bad enough she didn't remember his face; the idea of serving him drinks while pretending nothing happened was not something she was mentally prepared for.
Kate, her best friend and partner-in-chaos, was already behind the bar, flipping bottles with ease, her long auburn hair tied into a high ponytail that swung like a metronome as she worked. She was the queen of the bar, fast, skilled, and confident and she knew exactly how to charm customers into giving her better tips. Her make up was bold as always, sharp eyeliner with deep red lipstick.
"Let's make this night fast and painless," Lila muttered to herself before heading into the crowd with her tray.
Tonight was turning out to be strangely in her favor. The usual disasters with rude customers were nowhere in sight. Instead, Lila found herself on the receiving end of multiple tips from a group of rich customers seated in the VIP section.
They were polite, overly complimentary, and seemed to enjoy how quick she was at getting their orders right.
"Keep the change, sweetheart," one of the older gentlemen said, sliding a crisp bill onto her tray with a wink.
Lila flashed him her most professional smile. "Thank you, sir."
Inside, she was already planning how that extra cash could go toward Noah's next hospital payment.
Time went by quickly in a haze of moving between tables, smiling at strangers, and dodging the occasional clumsy dancer who almost bumped into her.
By the time the music started to wind down, she was sure she could fall asleep standing up.
Kate, however, was far from worn out. She had been dealing with a persistent drunk customer who insisted loudly that he wanted to marry her.
"You don't understand," the man slurred, pointing a wobbly finger at her as if declaring an unshakable truth. "I've never met anyone like you. You're… you're like… my soul mate!"
Kate laughed, sliding a glass of water across the counter. "Drink this before you start planning the wedding."
"No, no, no," he insisted, gripping the counter like it might save his life. "You'll look beautiful in white. And I'll wear a tux. And—"
"Sir," Kate cut in with her trademark mix of sass and kindness, "if you don't drink that water, I'm calling your mother to pick you up."
The man froze, then stared at the water suspiciously before downing it in one go.
Lila just laughed from the corner of the club as her bestfriend sighed in relief and frustration.
By the time they closed and cleaned up, both women were more than ready to leave. They changed back into their casual clothes and locked up the back door.
"Should we walk home." Kate asked while cleaning her shoes.
Their apartment was a bit far from the club, but still within walking distance.
"Hmm." Lila replied clearly not interested.
"Trust me. You'll enjoy it." With that she pulled Lila by the hand to make her walk faster.
The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of street food and rain from earlier in the evening.
The streets weren't empty; a few late-night wanderers and food vendors were still out, their voices breaking the stillness of the night.
Halfway home, Kate stopped outside a small convenience store, tugging Lila along.
"Come on," Kate said, "I'm getting us something to drink."