Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
“I-I don’t know what to say,” I tell her, plopping down on the seat and putting my hands on my head. I should have known it would never last. Nothing ever does.
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD
“Dec, what do you need me to do?” I am currently sitting beside him at the house while people come and go, giving their condolences and apologies for the passing of his mom.
Three months ago, she went in for an annual scan and found out she had stage 4 bone cancer. They tried aggressive treatment right out of the gate on account of the aggressiveness of how it had spread, but two months later, when it went into her brain, they knew there was nothing else to do. She told them she was done fighting and was gone three weeks later.
“Nothing, babe. Just what you’re doing. Just sit with me.” He grabs my hand and squeezes it.
“You know I’m not going anywhere, Dec.'' Laying my head on his shoulder, we sit like this for hours, neither of us hungry or in the mood for conversation. The truth is I am dealing with grief, albeit not like his, but I loved his mom. She was like a second mom to me. But I am also dealing with guilt because as I look across the room at my mom helping his dad with everything, all I can think is, ‘Thank God it wasn’t her,’ and that makes me feel like shit.
“Kiddos, I think you should eat something.” His dad comes over with a plate of random things. My stomach starts growling, and I try to play it off. I am not eating if he doesn’t. It is my penance for the thoughts going through my mind.
“August, eat,” Declan says, looking at me. When I try to protest, he leans over and kisses me, which is usually how he silences me when he doesn’t want to argue but is not going to back down. “Please,” he asks. Not wanting him to think of nothing but himself right now, I nod and take the plate.
“Okay,” I say, giving him my compliant smile. I would do anything for him.
EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD
“Congratulations, you two!” His father and two brothers yell at us. We graduated high school; as happy as we are, it is bittersweet. We buried my mom last week, and it was the hardest fucking thing I ever had to do. For seven years, it was only us battling this demon together, sharing our pain and laughter. The titan trio we called ourselves, but now, she is gone, and if it weren’t for Declan, I would have died with her.
“Thanks,” I say to his dad and brothers. Declan knows me more than anyone, pulling me closer to his side.
“How are you holding up baby?” I lean my head on his shoulder and shrug.
“As good as can be expected. I would be a basket case if it weren't for you.” Kissing his cheek, I snuggle into his chest, waiting for the crowd to die to make our way to the parking lot.
“They would both be so happy for us, baby, you know that right? They would have loved knowing we are going to school together and living in an apartment. They wanted that for us. They wanted us to be happy.” I put my head on his neck and kiss him once more for reminding me.
“You’re right. They would be.”
“So what do you say, baby? Are you ready to start the next chapter?” I take a second to look around and say a silent thanks to the woman who encouraged me, loved me and fought for me as long as she could. I let a lone tear fall, and then I look at the love of my life and nod my head.
“Let’s do it, babe. Let’s go start a new life.”
Present Day
I look at my watch for the hundredth time and follow it up with a peek at her clock. I have been waiting for about an hour, and as each minute ticks by, I know it is not good news. I mean, how can it be? It doesn’t take an hour to tell someone good news.
Another five minutes pass, and then the doctor comes in. “Miss Henreigh. My look how you’ve grown.” She says, projecting a calm demeanor, which I suppose is good for a patient about to be told their life is changing, but having been here for a few of my mom's times, it doesn’t work for me.
“Dr. Rogers. I am assuming it is not good news.” Might as well rip the band-aid off.
“Well, it is not great news, but it is encouraging news.” She pauses, expecting me to say something, but I am waiting for the boom to drop. “You have stage 1 cervical cancer my dear.” Oh God. Water rushes into my ears, and the noise is blotted out. I hear nothing but rushing waves and calm air, and then, over the horizon, I see something threatening my peace, which snaps me out of it. “August, did you hear me?” I blink a few times to drown out her words again, but it is no use. “Miss Henreigh can I get you something?” Shaking my head, I clear my throat.