Always Have Paris

Chapter 5 • Terraform

"It might be a little while,
but maybe we'll realign soon"

Terraform // Novo Amor & Ed Tullett

***

It's been just over three hours that Abby and I have waited for my mum and sister to arrive at the hospital. We've passed the time by aimlessly walking in the courtyard, completing an assignment for her Animal Anatomy and Physiology class and checking out the food in the vending machine, all without speaking to each other.

Or without her replying to me, more like.

Since my oncologist gave me the devastating news that the chemotherapy was no longer doing its job and it was only a matter of time, I knew I'd die sooner rather than later, but I didn't expect to still be here, especially in the state I'm in.

This is a delicate and infuriating situation, yet I can't do a damn thing about it. Even now, while I wait outside the loo for Abby, I can hear her sobbing and I can't do anything to comfort her.

What I'd give to hug her one more time, or tell her that I love her, or kiss her, or-

The door to the loo opens abruptly and my attention is diverted to Abby stepping out, being careful not to touch the handle. I smirk at her self-titled 'fool proof system' of using the paper towel she used to dry her hands and propping the door open with her foot while she throws the now contaminated towel away before exiting.

Her phone dings and as she takes it from her pocket, we begin walking back to the waiting room.

"Thank goodness," she mutters and I look over at her phone.

Oh. Mum and Gem are here. This is gonna be hard for them, Abs, especially Mum. Can you please hug them for me?

"Okay, I can do this," Abby gives herself a pep-talk, raking her hand through her hair like she always does when she's nervous.

As we approach the lobby, I see my mum and sister hurriedly walking inside and if I were able to cry actual tears, I would. Abby waves to get their attention and we continue making our way over to them. Abby and Mum embrace in a hug and I reach out to touch her shoulder that goes completely unnoticed.

I'm sorry, Mum. I really am.

"He went peacefully, if that helps," Abby says through her tears.

"Of course it doesn't bloody help," Gemma snaps, taking us all by surprise. "My brother is dead! And how do you know he went peacefully? Were you with him?"

"Well, I, uhm, we had our pizza and movie night and he asked me to sta-"

"Pizza? You know he shouldn't be eating that crap! It was probably the pizza that did him in and if you were with him, why didn't you try saving him? You didn't care about him. Just look at what you're wearing! That's my brother's leather jacket. You're already going through his things. God, you just let my little brother die, didn't you?"

"Gemma Anne Styles, that's quite enough from you," Mum chides and Gemma storms out of the lobby. "Oh, Abby, please accept my apology for what she said. She didn't mean any of it."

"It's fine," Abby nods, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "Uhm, would you like to see him now?"

Mum exhales a shaky breath, reluctantly nodding and we walk over to the information desk. Since Abby and the receptionist have already met, he knows the situation and tells my mum which room my body is in.

"Thank you for staying with him. Now that I'm here, would you care to see him?" Mum asks and Abby shakes her head. "Alright. We'll be in contact for the service planning, if you'd like to be part of it. I know how close you two were."