I'll Be

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Night

            We pulled into my driveway at four-nineteen, and I saw my sister’s familiar pickup in the driveway.

            Sawyer reached for my hand, “I love you.”

            “I love you.” I said softly, and met his lips for what felt like the thousandth time today.

            He smiled, “See you tonight.”

            I nodded,  “I might drag my sister along, if she’s willing.”

            “Of course.” He agreed, “I need to meet her.”

            “Bye.”

            “Bye.”

            Getting out of the car, I walked to the front door. Before I reached the knob, the door pulled back, and my sister stood in her black and gold t-shirt over her old sweatpants.

            She smiled, “Hi, baby girl.”

            And I burst into tears.

            Nina sat in my room and ran her fingers through my hair. We’d been here for an hour as I told her everything; the first time we’d talked, the first time he fell, the first time we kissed. Last night. Could it have only been hours ago?

            My ears caught the familiar sounds of Adam Lambert’s acoustic. I was surprised Nina could tolerate it. But this wasn’t about Nina, and she was going to listen to my music while in my bedroom; she understood that.

            “I love him.” I breathed, “I love him so much.”

            Nina hugged me tightly, “I can tell. And I know you’re scared for him, but all you can do is be there, and love him.”

            I sat up, “I’m worried.”

            “I know.” She nodded, “With something like this…”

            “No.” I shook my head, “Not about his disease. I get that this is what I’m going to be dealing with for the rest of my life.”

            Nina sighed, “The rest of your life? Teddy, you’re being a little unrealistic, don’t you think?”

            I sat up, “I don’t think so. We’re…we’re serious.”

            She raised her eyebrows, “This is serious? This relationship that’s been going on for what…two months? Weren’t you with Auden for most of freshman year?”

            I moved away from her, “This is different.”

            “Clearly.” She made that face; that face that just oozed mockery. I didn’t understand; Nina always supported me. Why was this any different?

            “Speaking of freshman year.” She snapped her fingers, grabbing her backpack off of my floor, “I have most of it filled out, but I need your signature, because it’s due at the end of the month and…”

            She opened her laptop to a school webpage: CU Denver. College.

            “Neen.” I pushed the laptop away.

            “What?” She asked, placing back in front of me, “You skipped your meeting. You missed your shot. So what; you’re gonna bank on your terminal boyfriend to hit it big and run around with him for a few years? You need a backup plan.”