restless_heart_syndrome_

Chapter 99

Charlie: "Listen... I'd like to ask you a big favor.I know that the two of us haven't gotten along well over the last few years. And I know that you don't owe sth. to me... I would be thankful if you could listen to me..." Billie looked at me interested and nodded in agreement. I breathed heavily because it was very difficult for me to talk. "If there is one thing we both have in common, it is that we would do anything for Adie... I know you love her and will always put her first. The favor does not concern me, it's for her." "What about her?" He asked worriedly. "I don't have to tell you that she's a very sociable person who can't be alone. She pushed me away for 10 years because she was afraid of love... But every time I went away, she collapsed. She cannot be alone. I've been resigned to the fact that I'm going to die for a long time. I've made my peace with it..." Billie looked at me worried and had to swallow because he couldn't breathe at the word *die*. "The only thing I still worry about is her... I'll be there for her until I take my last breath. But I only have a few days or weeks. After that, she will be on her own... Billie, she will collapse after my death. You have to be there for her. You can't leave her alone this time!! I will soon be no longer there to take care of her. You're the only one who can help her. We both know... that she doesn't only love me. She loves you too!! She needs you now. I know that I am asking a lot and that I have no right to do that. You have your own life, and I respect that... but I beg you to please take care of her!!" Billie: Charlie croaked out the last few sentences in pain. His voice broke because he could barely breathe and his eyes were full of tears... he was really worried about how it would go on with her. "I want her to be happy. She should get married again. She wants children and grandchildren. I am not lucky enough to grow old with her... I cannot fulfill this dream for her. But you can..." he said under tears. I didn't know exactly how to react. At that moment I realized how much he loved her... even when he was about to die, he only thought of her and her happiness. I had a lot of respect for Charlie...