A Fascinating Language

N I N E

Daniel leads me to Uncle William's room and motions me to go inside.

When I enter the room, it takes awhile for me to adjust to the dim lighting. As soon as I see him lying on the bed with multiple tubes attached to his weak body, I gasp out loud.

"Oh my God."

Uncle William immediately turns his head around at the sound of my voice.

"Ella." He spoke barely above a whisper.

I quickly move closer to him.

"Sit down." He rasps.

I take a seat on his bed and take hold of his hand. I look into his eyes and I could feel my tears surfacing.

"What happened?" I sob.

"Oh no no. I can't stand tears in your eyes. I'm fine. I'll be perfect in a couple of days."

"You better." I laugh in between my sobs.

"If not for myself, for you. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep. Just try to take care of yourself, that's all I can ever want."

"Of course." He smiles at me.

"Over the past month, I've really grown fond of you but this... It's just reminded me that the more I let people in my life... the more they can just walk away."

"Oh Ella" He sighs "I knew this might be going on inside that head of yours when you didn't come inside with Daniel and Diana."

"N-no it's -" He cuts me off.

"Now I've known you long enough to know when you're lying."

"How?" I ask in astonishment.

"You blush." He smiles.

I smile back.

"You remind me of Dad...a lot. And it makes me happy but at times it scares me. I fear that, God forbid, a-a repeat if events might occur." I admit.

"I understand. But I want you to take me into full confidence and talk. About anything that's bothering you. Share memories, happy thoughts. It'll make you feel lighter by opening up."

I nod.

"But I love you. Always remember this. I consider you my most valuable possession and I think you know why?"

I nod again. "Because I remind you of Dad too".

Tears were pouring out once again.

He moves his hand forward and wipes them away.

"I want you to be able to communicate with me without feeling any sense of hesitation or fear. I know I ask too much of you, I have noticed you like to keep your thoughts private, just like Adam. So I only have one tiny request or wish."

"Anything." I immediately say.

"I want you to start thinking about your future. This isn't the end Ella. You have your whole life ahead of you. And I know, at the moment it seems like it's already over but no, this is life. Meeting new people, learning new things, having fun and trying to be happy."

"I'll think about it."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good. And when you've thought through this, I want you to come to me and tell me so we can start making arrangements straight away."

"Alright."

He was right. I needed to think about my future. I can't live in the past anymore.

"I think you must be feeling tired. Diana requested to stay with me so, according to Daniel's suggestion, you can go with him to his place."