Parting Ways

Parting Ways - Chapter Four

Chapter Four

(Dedicated to Georgia_040 for her sweet comments on the the first three chapters and also for her advice. Thanks a lot. You're amazing!)

“Honey, did you take your phone?”

     I silently shook my head. I was actually planning on leaving my phone at home; it wasn’t as if anyone wanted to talk to me anyway. Mom went upstairs and handed me my blackberry, which I quickly stuffed into the back pocket of my denim shorts.

     “Thanks mom, I love you,” I said loud and clear, stressing on each syllable.

     “I love you too,” she whispered back.

     This exchange, once taken for granted was now a vital part of every morning, afternoon and night. Three little words followed by four more bridged up all the gaps and possibilities, for we knew how little time was left, how limited my life actually was.

     “Carlo, come on fast, I’m leaving,” I shouted desperately trying to distract myself. Carlo, my younger brother, and I were supposed to spend some quality time with each other. Which in other words meant, talk to him while you still can, before it’s too late.

     “Em, wait for me, I just have to find my shoes,” he danced around the hallway in order to search for his shoes. His ten-year old exterior bounced from one couch to another, while he tried hard to keep his red cap intact on his blonde hair.

     “The red ones? I saw them outside last night.” Thinking about the preceding night brought back the memories I had so skillfully wrapped up in the darkest corners of my mind. No, I wasn’t going to get there. Not right now, at least.

     Carlo fetched his shoes and came back, his bright blue eyes shining with merriment. “I don’t know what I’d do without you Em.”

     I could feel my heart constrict. My heart broke into even smaller pieces when he gave me his famous dimpled smile, one of his tooth missing. I could have traded everything right there just to live with him for more days; only if it was so easy.

     I smiled up at him, partly because I wanted to prevent the tears from spilling down. “You’re a big man now. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.”

     He puffed his chest dramatically and stood on his toes. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his innocence. I just hoped that he’d still have this cute demeanor after I was out of the picture. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how he’d suffer when the ugly truth presents itself. Though he has his theories about my condition and constant visit to doctors, he’s not aware of the full story.

     “Let’s bounce now, shall we?” I linked my arm with his, bending a little in the process.

      Nine minutes later we were at the beach. The sand beneath my feet glittered brightly in the sunlight as I inhaled the beautiful scene. Half crushed seashells of different sizes were rocking against some mini bays formed in the sand. The bright specks of umbrellas dotted the beach while the constant cheers from the volleyball court prevailed.

     I grabbed Carlo’s hand and found ourselves an empty spot. We both dumped ourselves on the spreadsheet, a sigh of relief escaping from my mouth. I didn’t realize I missed the beach so much.

     I plopped myself on my elbows. “So, how’s school going on, huh?”

     “You wouldn’t believe what happened yesterday Em…” He lost into his own world, informing me about a kid named Jake who forced him to play basketball with him, just to see who’d win but after Carlo won, the kid went to the teacher complaining how much of a bully Carlo was.