Jim rushes over to Cathrine.
"What is it?"
"I have cancer Jim. I have for ages. I was going to tell you but it got worse and I had to come in and . . ."
Jims face goes lank and his eyes mist over. He falls into the visitors chair and cradles his head in his hands.
"You aren't going to get better, are you?" he whispers.
She looks at him sadly.
"No. I'm going to die very soon. I have a few hours left. It's funny, isn't it? You never expect these things to happen. But they do happen. ANd it sucks. I'm sorry Jim."
He looks up. "It's not fair. Not fair to you or me. You don't deserve it, and I lose another one. Again, goddamnit. It's not fair. . ."
He starts sobbing, weeping into the bed on which she lays on.
"Jim. Jim shh it's okay."
Sh starts coughing violently and he hands her his handkerchief (his father told him to always have one on him). It is returned to him, stained in blood.
"I'm staying here with you. You know that right? I am not leaving you."
Catherine looks at him again.
"Jim you don't need to. I mean you barely know me."
"I know, but. You changed me Catherine. You mean a lot to me. I think . . . I think I'm falling for you."
He sounds awkward as he says this, but he realises it is true.
"I've been falling for you since I first laid eyes on you" she whispers back.
"We're in this together, ok?"
"Ok."
And then he leans in and kisses her, but only quickly because she is weak.
And he stays there, holding her hand and being with her.
YOU ARE READING
Trains
General FictionEvery day at precisely 8:17 Jim gets on the train with a coffeee and his newspaper. He has been doing this for twenty years. But as we all know, nothing stays the same for ever.
