12 Last Words

A Hello

After the cold weather finally started to retreat we were left with the breezy 50° March. I kept in contact with Destiny and we talked about how her mother was already responding well to treatment, about her new school, and her love interest. We didn't talk about my growing tumor or my sense of depression. 

The gloomy days, especially those spent in the hospital were broken up by a new acquaintance. After a hospital mix-up I was assigned to a room that was already occupied. By a boy who introduced himself as Fletcher Memphis. Once the hospital was informed of their blunder I was assigned my own room across the hall. 

Fletcher was a right ray of sunshine in a place with few windows. He is the most optimistic person I have ever met. He too is fighting lung cancer and would be a senior if he wasn't sick. We spent a lot of time together from March to July. Whether we were both hospitalized or planned visits outside of the hospital.

Fletcher's family was renting a house in town while he received treatment as they originate from Indiana. I have never loved another family as much as my own until I met his. It is easy to see where his personality comes from. Eventually our parents became as good of friends as we were. 

After a month, our relationship grew beyond friendship but we never stopped to think about labeling what it was that we had. We knew only that our lives were at risk and that our time could expire. Our relationship was so much different and yet was worth so much more in those few months than what Bryant and I had the whole previous year. 

Fletcher and I came into each others lives in times of trouble and turbulence. Bryant was a part of my life only until things became hard. Suddenly casual conversations, movies, and just being together with Fletcher meant more than the days Bryant would surprise me with gifts, dinners, and events. 

Fletch, as I began to call him showed me the real things in life. The limits of time, The expression of appreciation and the boundlessness of love.  I felt better when he was around. Almost as if his aura and my happy emotion physically made me stronger. For the first time since my diagnosis I found true and utter happiness.