Shaking Shoulders // Joshler

Fourteen

Tyler's POV

My dad has been home for a few days now and he's only gotten worse. He's lost his appetite and all he does is sleep; he looks awful. It pains me to see him so weak but at least he's home. He's had Josh and I play for him to entertain him. He says he likes the sound of my voice. My dad, Josh, and I were watching a movie right now. Not even twenty minutes in my dad's droopy eyes signaled it was time for him to go to bed so Josh helped him to bed while I got his night pills.

Once he was settled in his bed I decided I needed a few words with him. "Josh go pause the movie I'll be out in a few." I said softly. He nodded looking into my eyes sincerely. My dad's heavy breathing made me sigh before I rubbed my face.

"Dad I just want you to know I'm so sorry for being so stubborn all these years and not mailing you back and-" My dad cut me off by putting his hand on my arm.

"Tyler, don't apologize for my mistakes. I'm so sorry for doing all of that. For tearing the family apart." His voice was hoarse and it made a lump in my throat rise.

"Dad, I wish you'd get better."

He only sighed. I left the room after I told him goodnight trying my best not to cry.

The rest of the night Josh comforted me while we cuddled. I really was blessed to have him in my life. Without Josh I'd probably be crying and worse right now over this whole messed up situation.

~~~~

In the morning Josh told me he had to go be with his family all day since it was his sister's birthday and now it's nine at night and he still hasn't come over yet. My dad was currently on the couch listening to me sing and play my keyboard. Luckily I knew where Josh's spare key was so I could get it out of his house. He and his family must be out at dinner or something. "Tyler I love your singing." My dad's whisper of a voice brought me out of my thoughts. "Thank you Dad." I flip through my journal trying to pick a song that doesn't have the drum accompaniment. However my dad's constant coughing was a substitute I suppose. Sure almost all of the songs were originally written without drums but it doesn't feel write singing them without Josh. "I love you Tyler."

"I love you too." I said while I cracked my fingers.

"That's the first time you've said that in years." His voice cracked. I didn't realize this until he pointed it out. It's been a while since I've felt anything until Josh plus I was always stubborn towards my dad. A silent tear fell from his eyes and he quickly wiped it away. I flipped over to Truce because I was pretty proud of it and my dad would probably like it. He coughed once more before I started pressing the keys.

"Now the night is coming to an end,

The sun will rise and we will try again,

Stay alive stay alive for me"

I noticed his eyes begin to squint and his coughs becoming less frequent. I only put more voice into the song for I knew what was happening.

"You will die but now your life is free take pride in what is sure to die,

I will fear the night again,

I hope I'm not my only friend,

Stay alive Stay alive for me,

You will die but now your life is free take pride in what is sure to die" I had finished the song in tears as my dad's eyes closed and his coughs were no more. I got up from my chair and walked over to the couch. I felt the knuckles of his hand which remained warm. I cried even harder when I tried shaking him and got no response. I cried into his shoulders and eventually his skin grew cold. My tears were evident on his black shirt and I just wouldn't stop. There was so much I wanted to say to him but now his time was cut short from me.

Josh's POV

The restaurant was nice and all I just wasn't in the mood for Italian. I would have been texting Tyler all day but my dad would yell at me for having my phone out while we're out for my younger sisters birthday. We went to the movies, bowling and now we have just finished dinner. The whole car ride home I was excited to see Ty since I haven't seen him since this morning.

Walking up to his house felt strange for some reason. The chill of the night made goosebumps arise on my arms. I didn't bother knocking on his door since I figured his dad could be asleep. I walked in and noticed his keyboard was out in the living room and then I see his fluffy hair from behind the couch.

"Hey Ty." I say as I walk around it. He was leaned up against his father. I noticed everything at once; Tyler had silent tears spilling from his eyes, his dad's chest wasn't moving and his once tan skin was beyond pale. My hands covered my mouth as I took in the sight in front of me.

"Oh my god." I know saying something wouldn't help but it's what came out and I could't prevent it. It took all the strength I had to peel Tyler away from his father and once he was removed he screamed. He held his fists up and screamed. I tried my best to comfort him but it was helpless. He was worse then the night when the party happened, I'm scared he's not going to stop screaming.