Skipping Stones

Chapter 10

"I don't think I could say thank you enough, Jamie. For everything."

"You don't have to thank me." Jameson smiled at him, a genuine smile that Liam hopes to embed in his mind. "It's been my pleasure."

"No, I do. You're the only person that treats me like—" Liam paused, the words lodged in his throat. Jameson watched Liam's eyes search his face, a peculiar glint swirling inside. "Like a person."

Jameson gave him a soft smile. "Why wouldn't I?"

"It's just people look at me, see the cane or the shades, and treat me like some charity case. Like some fragile person that always needs help."

"You aren't a charity case. You trekked that hike like a champ. Probably even hit a record for how far you throw those stones."

"I only completed the hike because you were there."

"You're more capable than your prognosis says. Your disease doesn't define you." Jameson scoffed. "Besides, it took me a whole year to jog the whole thing; it took you this once to make it to the waterfall."

Looking away, Liam made a face. "Again, we walked it. Very slow, might I add. And you were there to prevent me from falling or hurting myself. Jogging it is a very different story."

"Did you enjoy it, at least? Aside from that near fall?"

Liam nodded before scanning Jameson's face. "Of course. I would've never known that waterfall existed. It was beautiful."

"I'm glad you could see it," Jameson implored before realizing his choice of words. "Sorry—"

"Me too. I think I'll be able to remember it for a long time, including the crazy adventure it took to get there. Near fall and all." Liam hadn't been fazed by the word choice, lost in the memory of trail.

Liam hadn't voiced it, but he knew that the reason he was sure this memory would last was entirely a result of Jameson. He just hoped the memory of what Jameson looked like and who he was would stick just as vividly. The doctors had warned him that face-blindness was also common and that had been another fear of his. It had been why he didn't mind his overbearing sister, who hindered his need to be independent. He couldn't bear the thought of losing the memories and sights of people he's loved and cared about. He didn't want to forget what his sister looked like, or his parents, and even Jameson.

Had it not been for Jameson's company, Liam's memory of this place would only be of the place he sat on the sand. He had—pun intended—opened Liam's eyes to the hidden beauty of all the lake had to offer, not just what was on the surface. Despite how brief their interaction had been, Liam had grown and learned a lot from the jogger that he couldn't bear the thought of his presence vanishing along with his sight.

And Jameson was no different. Liam had taught him all there was about taking in everything, not taking it for granted, how to cherish every minute, every second like it was your last.

Jameson wouldn't ever take these memories of being at the lake for granted. Learning about Liam and his life had left a permanent impression on him, one Jameson was sure to carry around for a while, if not the rest of his life.

"Do you mind if I touch your face?"

"My face?"

Liam glanced away. "I just—I'm scared of forgetting this. I want to remember this. You, this place, this feeling. I don't want this memory to fade like everything else will."

"Uh—"

"It's weird, sorry," Liam rushed out, his cheeks flushing pink as he ran his hand through the sand. "I shouldn't have said that."