What would you do if you only had a week left to live? How would you react? Who would you tell? How would you find out? It’s easier than you think. Let me tell you my personal guide to live your last week to the fullest. That very Saturday the doctor called me and told me those exact words. You know what words I’m talking about.
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Sunday
At exactly 6:23 in the morning, I woke up to the sound of my alarm screaming in my ear. After turning it off, my body felt like it was going to explode. I had been feeling like this a lot for the past month and my doctor said that nothing could be done about it. So, he just gave me some medication to stop the pain that I was feeling. After swallowing two of the giant green pills, I brushed my hair and slipped on a pair of yoga pants. For the longest time I was just walking around my house in my bra, just looking for my favorite hoodie. Eventually I gave up and just threw on the only hoodie I had left.
The wool felt amazing on my skin. I never wore shirts under my sweater. Mainly because I found comfort in the material's feeling on my bare skin, but this was different. The blue-gray hoodie belonged to my brother’s best friend, Ethan. Ethan’s 25 but that hasn’t stopped me from feeling the way I do towards him. He’s always been on my mind. Always. The first time we met I looked awful. I made my brother promise he would tell me whenever he was going to be having a friend over. Ethan came over often. Mainly to get homework done but when you’re 17 and in love, what more can you do than walk around and annoy him?
Sure, this was all years ago, but he did eventually figure out that I was interested in him. It wasn't the best way either. Only now do I realize we haven't talked since. I grabbed my keys off of their hanger and ran out the door. After putting the key into the ignition, pulling out of the driveway, and going past the grocery store, I took a right and smiled as the sun just rose. Blue, purple, pink, and orange mixing in the sky is a magnificent view. I never thought it would be as pretty but it is. The second my yellow jeep pulled into the driveway of 67 pathway road, I knew I had made a mistake. The screen door opened, and I hopped out of the car. A little girl ran out, then stopped in her tracks. Her hair was a dark brown and messily put into small pigtails. Ethan ran out of the house, picking her up and swinging her over his shoulder.
Her laughter filled the air as I tried to hide my smile. Ethan’s eyes met mine. I crossed my arms.
“Melissa!” He called out. A woman with gray hair stumbled out of the house and grabbed the child from him. They left us outside alone. I bet he didn’t even know that I was wearing his sweater.
“Hey, it’s um, been a while.” His hand met his neck. He never changed. His hair looked a little longer, and he was taller but other than that, same old Ethan.
“I need to talk to you. It’s important and I don’t know how I could tell my brother.” It felt like my lungs had emptied and there was nothing left in them. He nodded, and we walked down the street and into the park nearby. For the first few minutes, we didn’t talk at all. Just let the breeze push us forward as the fall leaves drifted around. He was the first to speak. He’s always been like that.
“I saw our old teacher the other day, the old gym one. He got a new dog. A Siberian Husky. Her name is Jayla.” His smile made me squeal. Our gym teacher was always planning on getting a dog but couldn’t because he didn’t have anyone to watch it. Turns out he quit the job at the school and worked at a doggy day care place that his family has owned for years. Ethan says that he likes it a lot better there. We found a bench and eventually sat down so I could break some news to him.
Only a few hours before I had been at the hospital for an emergency. My doctor had done multiple tests to figure out what was making me sick. I weakly smiled when I mumbled ‘Advanced cancer’. My doctor told me there wasn’t any treatment and that the case I had was already severely developed. He gave me a week and told me to tell the people that matter. Ethan mattered the most to me. More than my brother, which is surprising, but he is. He could also give me advice on how to tell my brother.
Silence filled the surrounding air. I could hear only the howl of the wind. I nearly got ready to run away, Just like the last time I told him something this important. But when his hand touched mine, my eyes searched his, I knew it was okay to cry; to be scared. My face buried into his chest while I sobbed. His hand gently rubbed my back. I’m not scared of dying…I fear leaving this place way too fast. The tears burned my eyes but in a good way. Even though I thought I would never cry again after watching Ethan leave, I was happy.
Four hours, we sat there, talking about what had happened over the time that we hadn’t seen each other. He moved in with his niece to take care of her after his brother died in a car accident. A job offering popped up and he took it to be a chef at the restaurant he loved so much. Ethan always said how he wanted to be an engineer but here he was…a chef. His niece was apparently the highest of her class, even at 7. She was excelling more than he thought she would. Ethan was always smart in high school, but he thought he wasn’t. Of course, I look up to him, but now I can’t even say anything. He teaches her what he can and when he isn’t home, he’s working hard at the restaurant. m
Once we walked back to the house, my mind told me no. I don’t want this to end. I can’t leave him again. My fingers intertwined with his while my other hand gripped his arm. I’m scared. And I can’t do anything to stop it. The second that yellow jeep came into my view, my grip became tighter. His gaze met mine. I didn’t want this to end. I need Ethan’s smart remarks and his strong arms, his strong hugs, powerful words, caring eyes, pouty lips, and his breath. He doesn’t know how much I need him or how much I want him. We didn’t walk any closer. Ethan wrapped his around my shoulders and rested his head on mine. I sobbed and laughed at myself. We both began laughing and shaking each other. Eventually, I sat in the driver seat and waved goodbye to him. He actually smiled once I pulled out of the driveway. Now, of all times my feelings got in the way of continuing to move. I did anyway, and turned on the navigation system to my brother's house. My fingers were shaking the entire time. Ethan was the very first person that I was sure that I loved, which is why I told him first, but now that I’m thinking about it, was that really the smart choice?
Chase was sitting on his porch reading a book to Kylie, his daughter, while Tori sat beside them, asleep. I didn’t pull all the way through. Just stopped at the end and leaned on the front of the cold bumper. Kylie was the first to notice. She quickly pushed Chase out of the way and ran down the dirt path with the goofiest smile on her face. She reminded me of Chase in so many ways. She jumped into my arms. Kylie’s giggles went into my ear and out the other. Chase strolled down the walkway with Tori on his arm. They always made me sick of how in love they were. I will always remember it though.
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