Short Stories (without happy end)

Elijah (part. 1)

I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. I walk out of that hospital without a backward glance, and with no regrets. I had to come to this appointment, I had to know. I look at the world around me, trying to enjoy it as much as I can before it's too late, but even that I can't do. I decide to go for a run in the park next to the hospital to clear my head. The conversation with the doctor is running through my head. You have central nervous system tumors due to metastases that have migrated from your kidney. In short, you have very advanced cancer. Look, I'm not going to lie to you, you have very little chance of getting through this. Cancer. I'm going to die at 22. Cancer. I inhale, filling my lungs to the max but they burn. I keep running until I can't run anymore. Then I go home.

The apartment is empty, silent. I leave to take a shower and change. I turn on the showerhead and adjust the temperature. Little by little, I increase the heat until I can no longer feel my shoulders. When I think I'm clean, I get out and change. I go into the kitchen and pour myself a big glass of water. My eyes rest on the pictures on the walls, I see myself with my family, my friends, my girlfriend. I need to get some fresh air.

I take my car and go to see my brother. I arrive at his house and knock on the door. He opens it and I see that he is not alone, he is with Jackson, one of his friends. ''Elijah? What are you doing here?" my brother asks. ''I have cancer" is the only thing I can answer. He simply says, "Go home''. Jackson stands up and says, "Damn! Are you okay? Elijah, I can't fucking believe it''. ''I'm great. I'm having a good day since the doctor told me I'm going to die soon," I reply calmly. ''Shit Jackson, how can you seriously ask that? You can see it's not right, it can't be right, it can never be right again. You better leave now.'' my brother snaps. ''You're right.  Excuse me, dude''.

Once alone with my brother, he fetches us two beers and settles in front of me on an armchair. ''Tell me everything.'' ''I had an appointment at the hospital because I often have very violent headaches for a few months. I thought that with time, it would pass, that it was just due to fatigue but I was wrong. Two weeks ago, I went for some tests and waited. Scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, urine tests, in short, I was examined from every angle. So I went back in a little while ago for the report and, to put it simply, the doctor explained to me that I had kidney cancer for some time and that cancer cells had gone into my brain, forming a tumor. Because I took so long to tell someone, the tumor started to grow a lot - too much - and it has already had negative effects on my health ranging from migraines to balance problems. Tom, I don't know what to do. I'll only be a few months. I can't just pretend everything is normal and go on with my life as it was before. I have to fade away gradually, you have to have plans for the future, I can't die suddenly without warning'' I try to explain. ''The first thing you have to do is tell everyone. You can't keep everything to yourself'' Tom advises me. ''I know. Can you come tomorrow morning to the restaurant with Mom and Dad?" "Sure," "Thanks''.
I stay with my brother for another hour before going back to the apartment.

When I get home, I find Lindsay taking cookies out of the oven. I help her put another round in the oven and enjoy this normal time with my girlfriend before going to work.