Twisted • e.d •

Knee Highs Save Lives

"Were being watched."

I stare at the cup of yogurt as I put it down quickly and shift my gear, leaving the yogurt shop. 

I begin to cruise down the streets of California to go to the base and tell Smokey the news.

I suddenly hear my phone vibrate as I see its Smokeys number as I quickly pick up.

Speak of the devil.

"Hey whats up."

He begun to cough uncontrollably, he had an opening and said to me, "April, i'm going to die soon." 

"you're joking with me right.."

"No, April, remember last time I was at the hospital, I was told I had 4 to 5 months left..."
"Why don't you have surgery or something!"

"Because, i'll just keep drinking, smoking, and I could have this surgery and then be shot the next day. That's why I'm not doing it."
"Smokey! You can't just leave me! You were fine hours ago!" I felt the tears coming as I flipped around the car. 

Speeding down the streets of California to go to the hospital and save Smokey. 

He doesn't need to be in the gang anymore if he gets this surgery, I can help him.

"April, please understand where i'm coming from, I can't do this anymore. I mean, im in the hospital at 47, 47! Most people have retired or are working at my age. Not getting sent to the hospital and told they are going to die! I understand you need me, but I don't know how long I have! I'd rather live the little life I have left and do all the things I want to do!"
I begin to start sobbing as i'm driving.

"SMOKEY! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME TOO PLEASE! YOU'RE ALL I HAVE LEFT! PLEASE SMOKEY! I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO! PLEASE DON'T GO!"

"April, please.... I have a couple days, don't try and change my mind... This is hard enough."
"SMOKEY! PLEASE!" I had tears pouring down my faec as Smokey spoke to me.

"DO YOU THINK I WANNA GO! I DONT WANT TO DIE! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE YOU! I WANTED TO START A FAMILY! I DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN THE GANG TILL I DIED! BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I FUCKING DID! WHEN YOUR PARENTS DIED I COULD'VE FUCKING LEFT YOU! BUT I DIDN'T GOD DAMMIT! I STAYED AND RAISED YOU! I COULD'VE LET YOU DIE THERE I COULD'VE SENT YOU TO A FUCKING ORPHANAGE BUT I FUCKING RAISED YOU! I DID! ON MY OWN! YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I MISSED OUT ON! MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER! SO DON'T YOU THINK I WANT TO LIVE THE LIFE I HAVE LEFT! I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE APRIL! I AM GOING TO DIE! I CAN'T CHANGE THE FUCKING PAST BUT AT LEAST I'LL CHANGE MY FUTURE AND WHATS LEFT OF IT!"

I was crying so hard that almost couldn't breath. The things he said, he was right. 

He dropped everything to take care of me, his life was ended at 31 years old. Most people his age would've been married, or planning to have kids. He raised me till i was 22... He didn't have to raise me, but he did. 
"Im so-" I began to say as Smokey then said.

"Don't come to the hospital. Leave me alone."

Right after he says that he hangs up on the phone. As I pull over and begin to cry.

He's going to leave me. All I had left, I am so selfish.

"Smokey, im so sorry." I say to myself. 

I throw myself into my hands as I began to cry, again. I'm such an emotional reck lately. I see why people think our gang has gone downhill.