Game Of Bliss

(39)

"You're looking rough," Reuben jokes, before spluttering out a cough, spots of blood leaking through his handkerchief.

"How long have you been in here?" Malachi asks, taking a seat beside Reubens bed.

"A couple of days," Reuben shrugs.

"Why didn't you call? Send someone?" Malachi questions.

"I didn't think I'd be in here this long," Reuben replies, "I've never stayed here this long. It's making me uncomfortable."

There was a moment of silence between the two men before Reuben looked at Mal with an expression he'd never worn before. A somber one. "You've got to promise me something, Mal."

"Anything," Malachi nods.

"Visit me," Reuben states, his voice weak. It was a croak, just above a whisper.

"Of course I'll visit you," Malachi replies, slightly confused.

"No, Mal, visit me, I don't want to be alone in the cold, at least once a week please come and see me," Reuben says, reaching out of the bed to hold Malachi's hand, "I have hope... I always have hope, but realistically, Mal, it's not going well. I'm not doing too good."

"You're going to be okay," Malachi states firmly.

"Mal," Reuben says softly, "they gave me a week... maximum."

"Gave? When did they say that?" Malachi questions.

"I've been here five days... so five days ago," Reuben says, his voice breaking, "I'm tired, Mal, I'm so tired... I'm glad you're here, even if it wasn't your intention to see me."

"You said you were going to beat it," Malachi whispers, a tear slipping from his eye.

"I say a lot of things," Reuben laughs, squeezing Malachi's hand as he goes into a coughing fit, wheezing and panting, slightly thrashing about in his hospital bed.

"Reuben? You okay?" Malachi asks, watching as Reuben lifts a frail hand to clutch at his own throat as if something were strangling him.

Reuben falls quietly back against his bed, his chest slowly moving as he releases a choked breath, his hand going slightly lax in Malachi's. He weakly turns his head to look at his friend, "I-i like wh-white... roses."

"Reuben?" Malachi says, watching as Reuben shuts his eyes.

"Reuben," Mal repeats, his voice getting slightly louder, as he reaches for Reubens face, "wake up... if this is one of your jokes you're a cunt... wake up!"

Reuben doesn't move. His eyes stay shut. His limp hand falls out of Malachi's.

Malachi rushes out into the corridor, shouting for a nurse. Multiple of them are soon running into Reubens room, administering chest compressions, but to no avail.

Malachi watches with tears streaming down his face a shaky hand coming to cover his mouth as they gently place a sheet over Reuben's body, before looking to him with pity.

"Try again," Malachi demands, "keep trying."

"We're sorry, Mr Welch," a nurse responds, bowing her head, "would you like us to notify the other visitors?"

Shit. Malachi had forgotten the entire reason he'd been at the hospital was to see Tommy. Eldon, Polly, and Flo were still in his room.

"No," Malachi says, clearing his throat, "it's probably best it comes from me."

Mal uses the palms of his hands to wipe away his tears, attempting to wipe the remnants off of his face. He then takes a deep breath, taking another look at Reubens covered body before heading towards Tommys room.