Lift

Chapter Eighteen- The Man In Me

Roy's thoughts were racing. It was like a carousel was spinning out of control, sending helpless children flying through the air to their gruesome and untimely demises. Filled with ghosts.

Dahlia was a ghost now, and so was her unborn child.

She was cold in her grave, and Roy was barely warm in his bed.

He felt her presence follow him everywhere. He felt the breeze on his neck that shouldn't be there. The room was hot.

He felt her lips to his ear when he dialed Dade's number again and told him: "I was in love with your sister, but I need your blessing in order to marry this woman."

Otherwise, Roy didn't think he had it in himself to go through with it.

His wandering mind wondered why MacKenzie had actually called Sparrow. Not just to tell her about the engagement; why would she come all this way? And Langdon was hours north.MacKenzie couldn't have told her while she was looking for dresses.

Pre-planned meet up.

Nevertheless, MacKenzie wanted her cousin there with her for a reason. And Sparrow loved her enough to drive hours to an overly expensive hotel to see her; even if it was simply because of news of an engagement.

"You have my blessing, Roy," Dade said in a as a matter of fact tone. "Stop worrying so much."

"I...I can't. That's kind of a thing I do. A lot."

"Yeah I know. And Roy, I also know when you're drunk."

"I had some shots," Roy admitted.

"You're drunk."

Roy rubbed his face with one hand. "Mm."

"When am I meeting this MacKenzie of yours?"

"I don't know. Hey have you talked to my brother recently?"

"Roy, you're drunk. We're not talking about Whit when you're drunk."

"Well he's the one who said you and your family hated me."

"People say things they don't mean when they're grieving." Dade was silent for a moment. "Whit loved Dahlia as much as you did."

Roy choked. "Y'know, he was right."

"About?"

"About going to California. You know my big stunt?"

"Oh. The uh-"

"The whole, I can't  move my legs now stunt. It was cut out of the final film." Roy nearly spat out the words. "Whit said gags weren't for me, and I don't even have a finished product to prove him wrong. Even at the expense of my legs."

"...wow."

Roy almost started laughing. His temples ached.

"Damn," Dade repeated.

"But hey, I'm getting married, can't be all that bad."

"I'm sorry this time, Roy."

"Don't pull that on me, Dade."

"You're my best friend. We can both be sorry for things, can't we?"

Roy bit his tongue.

"I miss you, man. Come home."

Roy shook his head, even though knowing Whit couldn't see him. "I can't, Dade. I'm gettin' married."

As Roy hung up the phone, he didn't feel alone. Dahlia's presence wrapped around him, a hot yet cold blanket of energy.

And Roy could have sworn he almost heard an ethereal I love you.