The Bucket List

brokenhearted

"I can't do that." Riley says to me. "I'm being moved to a hospice in two days."

"Oh."

"Listen, I didn't come here to mope and complain about my sickness and problems. I wanted to ask if you and Kevin would come to my funeral. I know you didn't know me that well but it would still mean a lot."

"Y-yeah. Of course."

"Thanks. It's going to be on June fifteenth." She says, and I nod. "D-do think maybe you could go now? I know it wasn't a very long visit but I really just want to be by myself right now."

"No, that's okay." I say, as I get up to leave. "I was planning on visiting a friend... she's... In a coma..."

"Oh my gosh, well... I hope she's okay."

"Thanks. I'll see you later." I say, as I leave the room, Kevin waiting for me on the other side.

"What was that about?"

"She..." I start, but pause because I don't know how to finish my thought. "She only has two weeks to live."

"What?"

"She wanted to invite us to her funeral."

"Oh my God. When?"

"June fifteenth."

"Oh my God." He says again. I can't help but feel so...stunned. I don't know what to say, or do, or think. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Let's go see Rachel."

"Okay. Sure."

Right in that moment, I get a phone call from Natasha.

"Hello?"

"Morgan, come quick!"

"I'm literally in the hospital right now, what's wrong?"

"Just... Hurry."

"Okay. I'll be right there."

"What?" Kevin says as I hang up the phone.

"We need to hurry. Something's wrong."

I take his hand and we run together through the huge hospital up to Rachel's room. I burst through the door to see Rachel. Something's different about her.

And by something, I mean she's awake.

"Rachel!" I exclaim, and she looks over at me as I wrap her up in the tightest hug I can. "I'm so happy you're okay."

"Me too. I can't believe you came back from your trip early so that you could see me."

"Of course I did, why wouldn't I?"

"I also heard you didn't sleep for almost two days."

"Yeah, I wish you were awake to see it."

"Oh, Kevin took pictures and sent them to everyone. Natasha just showed me one. It was pretty bad. You looked awful."

"I always look awful, you know that." I say, and turn around to glare at Kevin. "You took photos of me?"

"Obviously." He says, like it's nothing.

"Hey," she says quieter. "I also heard that you two are dating now."

"Yeah..."

"Did you know that your heart rate increases when you see someone you love?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, just keep that in mind."

"Why?"