30 Days Too Late

Code Word

Rudy

"Wayne!" I shout as his eyes begin to close. They flutter open to mere slits, his glasses cracked. I want him to know I'm still here.

"They want you to do your best to stay awake," I say, trying to smile. "We're almost at the hospital." I glance out the back to see multiple cars following, then turn back and take deep breaths. "I love you," I say, gently rubbing his forehead.

His grip on my hand weakens, and his eyes close. The paramedics immediately back me up, repeatedly saying the word "unresponsive." It makes me sick to my stomach seeing him like a rag doll. The doors open, and they start rolling Dexter out. His parents and our friends follow me.

"Dexter, I'm right outside these doors!" I kiss his head. They disappear behind the authorized doors as nurses come to aid.

"Dr. Pierce," I see him turn the corner. "Rudy?" he walks over. "What are you doing here?" he asks, just as his name is called over the intercom with a code behind it.

"Dexter," I say, and he immediately heads behind the doors. Lily wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me.

"He pushed himself," she whispers.

"For my sake," I admit.

"Don't say that," she lets go of me.

"It's true, Lily, you all know it. He pushed himself to the point of collapse. All because I can't accept this..." I admit.

"If you can't handle it, maybe you should go home," his mother says.

"No," I state firmly. "I need to be here when he wakes up. Don't you realize I'm more important than you both? This proves it," I point.

"He's not wrong," Lily agrees.

"Liliana," her father snaps.

"It's the truth, Dad! Dexter has been a lot happier ever since he reunited with Rudy. They're happy together, and you know that yourself. If we can get one more week or even a month, at least let him live out his days happily," she insists.

"The checklist," I hear her mom say.

"Checklist?" I ask them.

"Dexter asked us not to tell you. It's things he wants to say or do before he goes," Ace answers.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to process it. I had no idea he made a checklist. "What's left on his checklist?" I ask.

"I heard him talking about your finals game this week," Viola speaks up.

"Ask him when he wakes up, just in case," Lily rests a hand on my shoulder.

The door opens, and Dr. Pierce quickly finds me. "What's going on?" I ask.

"We managed to pump some of the fluid buildup out of his lungs, but not all of it. If we were to remove all of it, the recovery process would be too much for him," he answers.

"So it was like phlegm buildup or something?" Lily asks.

"Yes, triggered by the cancer, which caused swelling. There's a chance one of his lungs could burst within a day. It would be fatal," he sighs.

"And the lung surgery or transplant?" my father asks.

"The cancer has spread around his heart. Eventually, it will get inside, affecting everything. Heart failure, constant dizzy spells, palpitations, seizures..." his list continues.

"Oh my god," Ace breathes out.

"Oh my God," Ace breathes out.

"Your conclusion, doctor?" Mr. Kinkaid asks.