Warm Salutations
Walking into the familiar blood bank, I was met with warm smiles from the nurses. “Ryan! Glad to see you again,” one of them said brightly, her words wrapping me in a sense of belonging. Their kindness brought comfort to an already emotional day, softening the weight I carried. Donating blood each year had become my way of giving back, a quiet but powerful tribute to the bond my brother and I shared.
Warm Salutations
Jason and a Ritual
After tugging down my sleeves, I made my way to the diner where Jason was already waiting. “Hey, man! Another year, huh?” he greeted me with a knowing nod. This was our tradition—lunch together after my visit, catching up on life in the comfort of routine. The little diner, with its familiar booths and warm atmosphere, held countless memories of these yearly conversations. We ordered our usual meals, the familiarity wrapping around us like a well-worn sweater.
Jason And A Ritual
