Life's Misadventures |Cashby & Kellic|

Chapter 8

Austin's POV

Today was going to be hard, way harder than I thought.  I didn't even want to roll out of bed today, it just sucked because today we were really going to let my dad go. It was time to let him go. He wasn't progressing and as time went on his body was starting to fail on him. I knew this day would come, but I didn't think I was ready.

I didn't know how I was supposed to say goodbye to him. I was devastated and I knew this was going to take a hell of a toll on Maggie.  She was already doing really bad dealing with all of this and his death was going to make it even worse.

I sat in the hospital room with Maggie while we waited for Kellin to get here. He was running a little late, but I wasn't mad. It just gave me more time with my dad.

I was holding my dad's hand and talking to Maggie about nothing in particular. 

"Maggie, are you going to be okay?" I asked her as we waited on Kellin.

"I'm going to try and do my best to manage all this."

"Kellin's staying here for a while, isn't he?" I questioned.

"That's what he's saying."

"I'd stay if I could, for much longer. I will be visiting much more though."

"It's okay, Aust," she said. "You're busy, I understand."

"It's not an excuse," I said. "I'm going to do better."

She nodded. "Okay, I believe you."

"You should, I'm not lying."

"I know, Austin," she said with a sigh. "I'm a grown up, I can take care of myself, you know. You and Kellin worry too much."

"We're your kids, we're bound to worry about you, you know that right?"

"I do, but there's no need."

"There's all the reason to worry about you." 

"I'll be okay," she said just as Kellin came rushing into the room.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, looking sick.

"You okay?" I asked him. 

He winced. "Not feeling too hot," he admitted.

"Are you...?"

Kellin shook his head. "No, just dealing with effects from it still. It takes like fifteen days, you know." He took a seat next to Maggie and laid his head on her shoulder.

"Alright then..." 

"Are you sure you're okay?" Maggie asked him, patting his leg.

"I'm trying to be."

"Is there something going on, aside from all this?" She asked Kellin.

"No, I'm fine."

"I'm not stupid Kellin, something is different about you," she said and I leaned forward and glared at Kellin. Maybe he'd say something.

"No, I'm the same as usual. Just in my post tour blues I guess."

"Is that all?"

He nodded and I rolled my eyes.

"Promise?"

Kellin gave her a small smile. "I'm fine Mama."

"Okay, I trust you."

I glared at Kellin and mouthed liar to him as Maggie gave him a hug. He rolled his eyes and flipped me off.

I rolled my eyes at him. He had to tell her eventually.