Almost Everything

Chapter 24

I stood outside the hospital room. I had promised her that I would go and see him. As much as I hate hospitals I had to keep my promise. God knows what I and the band are going to do if he dies. He means the absolutely world to us. He is the band.

I placed my hand on the cool metal door handle. I could see him through the glass. He had no hair left, his skin pale, he'd lost so much weight. A weak frail man. It was haunting see him like this. He's like my uncle. It's like I'm a kid again. Seeing him like this, it was scary. Hooked up to all these machines. Wires and tubes everywhere. I took a deep breath closing my eyes pushing all these thoughts to the back of my mind. I pushed the door open and gentle closed it behind me.

"Hi there Alex, it's so good to see you." His voice barely a croaky whisper. I went over and shook his hand. His hand hardly gripping mine from the lack of strength left in him. He was a shadow of his former self.

"Like wise Collin. It's been awhile I know. I've just been so busy with the new album." I said scratching the back of my head. I had this feeling in my gut. Something was wrong. I just need to relax I told myself.

"Ahh yes. How is that going?" He gestured for me to take a seat next to his bed. I pulled the chair up closer to him. Taking a seat leaning in closer to him.

"Really well actually, our producer Andrew Nicholson is great. He really understands the sense of direction we want this new album to go in."

"I'm glad. How is the writing been?" He was struggling for breath. This was so awful to see him like this.

"Urmm, yeah good I suppose. You know me I'm a perfectionist." I joked. I couldn't exactly tell him that most of the songs were about his daughter who I'd been endless shagging.

"I'm glad. But may I ask why you are here? And don't tell me it's to play a game of scrabble like the old days." He questioned.

"I just wanted to check up on you. I know it's been awhile I've just been so busy...." He raised his hand cutting my sentence short.

"She told you then?"

"Told me what?" I lied. I know there was no use as he could see right through my just like any other day. I never had been a good liar.

"That I'm refusing treatment." He coughed and spluttered. His chest wheezing.

"I, urmm, she is just so worried about you."

"So she told you to come and convince me otherwise."

"If you just let them help you then I'm sure in time it will begin to work. If you just let them help you."

"Alex stop. This isn't something I've come to lightly. I have thought about this. But you have to understand that I'm tired. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of hospitals and medications that take away my mind. I'm tired of being tired. It hurts so much to breathe. It hurts so much to keep fighting." He outstretched his hand and took mine. Holding as tightly as he could. Tears began to prick my eyes.

"You can't just give up." I protested. Slightly raising my voice which I instantly regretted. I wanted to shout at him shake him till he saw sense. Till he saw that this was the worse decision possible. But I couldn't. I had no right to. So I listened to what he had to say.

"I just need you to know before I die. You are her world and you don't even know it. And one day you're going to see her holding hands with someone who took your chance. She won't even notice you because she's too busy laughing with the stupid jokes he makes. And it will burn your heart see that beautiful smile on her face and realising that you're not the reason anymore. And it will finally hit you, it was her, it was always her."

"You know?"

"Of course I know. You've written a whole album about her. How could I not know?"

"I'm sorry. I know she's your daughter and if I'd of known that I never would of went there."

"I know son. But just promise me you will look after her? When I'm gone wether if it's your by her side of her friend. Keep her safe for me."

"I promise. Now how about that game of scrabble?"

"Scrabble would be great." He smiled.

Collin died later that day at 3:30 am. The doctor told us that it was peaceful, he had drifted away in his sleep. I was the first person she rang. I grabbed my jacket and my keys, driving my bike as fast as possible to her place. All I needed right now was to check she was okay. All I wanted to do was hold in my arms. Collin was right it's her. It will always be her. I'm not going to let the love of my life slip through my finger tips.

// I'm sorry for the short update but I'm really busy right now. Thank you all for 4.45k reads that's crazy. I love you all hope you enjoy!//