One Way Bridge

Chapter 37

In the morning grandma insisted we eat her oversized breakfast, so we hit the road a little later than planned. We had to unload a lot of Alex's things before I could even throw my bag in the car, but by nine we were on the interstate. Of course, Alex was driving, so I wasn't too worried about being behind schedule.

We were quiet for most of the ride, only stopping in St. Lucas to eat. The owners recognized us and came over to talk since the restaurant wasn't too busy at one thirty. Luckily, they didn't ask about our parents or lack thereof. They did ask how school was going for Alex and if we were going to Iowa for Thanksgiving.

"Actually, we're headed home from Iowa," I answered the second question. "But we'll be going back down on Tuesday." They joked about how we traveled too much before leaving us to eat in peace.

It was only three thirty when we got to our hometown. We made good time. Alex drove to his friend's house and then gave me the keys. I had told him I was going to visit Hannah, only because I couldn't exactly tell him I was going to meet Michael. I drove to the restaurant he chose downtown and found him sitting at a table near the bar. When he saw me he stood and smiled, pulling me into a hug. I didn't hesitate to hug back.

"How are you?" he asked as we sat down.

"I'm good," I was going to ask him the same, but we were interrupted by the waiter asking for our drink orders. "How's Bella?" I got my chance to ask a question.

"She's great, always asking about you though."

I laughed at the thought of the young girl bugging her father about me. "Well you tell her I say 'hi', alright?"

"Sure," the smile fell from his face. "Emma," he took a deep breath. "I don't exactly know how to tell you this, I suppose I'll just come out and say it. Maybe you'll think it's karma. I knew it should have been me to die in the car accident-"

"Michael," I interrupted him in the middle of his rambling. "I've told you before, and I'll you again, I don't blame you. And besides, Bella nee-"

This time Michael interrupted me. "Emma, I'm dying." I saw, out of the corner of my eye, the waiter turn around with our drinks in his hands. He definitely heard the last bit of our conversation. I wished he hadn't. At that moment I could have used the distraction, or at least a sip of pop to moisten my suddenly dry mouth.

"I...what?" the words were but a breath.

"I'm dying," Michael repeated. I shook my head staring at the seemingly healthy man in front of me. He looked the same as last time. Maybe the bags under his eyes were darker, but that could be fixed with sleep.

The waiter chose that time to finally bring our pops over, but I was in such shock, I didn't reach for it, or even acknowledge the new man. "Are we ready to order?"

"No," Michael answered sounding much the same as he had whenever we spoke on the phone. How could he just accept this? "I think we need some time." The waiter walked away, but I still was unable to speak. "Brain cancer," Michael answered the unasked question. I nodded to myself trying to stop the millions of thoughts.

"Isn't there a treatment?" I questioned before I even knew what I was saying.

"Yeah, but it has five percent chance of success; it's too risky to spend that much money."

"You're putting a price on your life?"

"No, I-"

"You are!" I didn't give him a chance to explain. "How could you do this to Bella?" I couldn't help but jump to the small girl who would be left in my situation.

"I'm doing this for Bella," his tone told me I was missing something obvious. Michael sighed. "I can't leave her without any money. At least if I can't be there, I can pay for her college."

I nodded as the waiter returned debating if I should tell him that I'd rather have my parents than their money. Of course, he must know that, I thought. He's not in the same situation. He knows what's coming and he has made his decision.

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