Dearest One

Chapter Six

"His bones are deteriorating. He's slowly losing his strength and it's-" Pablo trailed off. The corner of Piero's eyes were wet with tears. How could this be happening to such a sweet and young boy.
"Can't we just operate? We're losing time." He asked, hoping and praying they could just do something to help Jeff.
"His father hasn't given us his approval, and without it, there's not much we can do."
Pablo looked just as hopeless and broken down as Piero felt. How could Jeff's dad not allow them to help his son? He was in pain and slowly losing his strength. He could die in a matter of days or weeks and there was nothing they could do for him. How was this even legal? Didn't he care at all about his son?
"We need to help him somehow." Piero pleaded. There had to be something to overwrite the dad's word or something.
"I've tried but his dad is set on not letting us operate. He has the money it takes to do it, but he just won't."
"I have to talk to him."
"Be my guest Piero, maybe you can convince him." Pablo patted his shoulder and gave him a sad smile before leaving to assist another patient.
***
"Mister Woods?" Piero called out to the well-dressed man heading into a large ranch house. The man turned around and glared at him.
"Who the hell are you?" He snapped. Geez, attitude, Piero thought taking a deep breath. But he needs to understand Jeff's condition. Whether he likes it or not. His son is dying in a hospital bed and he is out here enjoying his life without a care.
"I'm Doctor Accardi. I'm here to speak to you about your son." He said, taking a step towards him.
The man's expression softened for the slightest second.
"Why won't you let us operate on him? He's in severe pain and is not responding well to the small treatments we can administer him. The pain has diminished his strength and will end up taking his life if we don't remove it as soon as possible." He explained. He hoped coming down here would help him change his mind about the surgery and that he will let them give Jeff the life and hope he needed. He deserved a childhood and to live a long and full life.
"Are you his doctor?" The man asked.
"No, I'm his friend."
"Then who are you to tell me what I should do with my son. No one dies from a simple headache." His glare returned and he took a step forward.
"It's not a simple headache sir, Jeff has a tumor in his frontal brain cortex. The tumor is slowly spreading and if we don't operate soon, it can be too late." Piero tried to remain calm and keep his emotions under control. It was difficult, he cared greatly for Jeff and seeing him suffering, broke his heart into a million pieces. It just wasn't fair. Jeff's dad looked well off and it was obvious he could afford the surgery and all the treatments that his son would need, so why was he being so selfish and cruel? Jeff needed his compassion and love the most right now. Could he really be that heartless?
Piero could see the slight change in the man's skin color. He looked significantly paler. A stone cold look crossed his face though and Piero knew he wouldn't consent.
"I'm not giving consent to anything. You aren't using my son as a test monkey. You can go use someone else for your damned experiments." He growled, before turning and walking towards the house.
"I sincerely regret coming. You won't move a finger to save your own son, having every resource to do so. You would rather let him suffer than swallow your pride and admit that you're just as scared as we are of losing him." Piero turned and walked away, leaving him standing in stunned silence.
The man raked his hands through his hair frustrated. He sighed deeply and sat on the porch steps. He dropped his head in his hands and took a shaky breath.
The doctor was right. Jeff was suffering in a hospital bed, clinging to life and he hadn't even gone to see him once. He couldn't. The last time he had visited, was a few weeks ago when he had first been emitted. Jeff just laid on that bed looking up at him through sad and glossy eyes. He had felt so helpless seeing him there. He didn't know what to do to help him. He wanted to pick him up and cradle him close, like he used to do when he was a baby. He wanted to just take it all away. He would have given anything to trade places with him and be the one who was chained to that bed instead of Jeff.
He raised his head and stood up slowly. He had to do it. He had to make things right. It was now or never.