10:14am
"Jackson!"
It's music to my ears.
"Jackson! Come here!" Mark calls for me as he pats the seat beside his hospital bed.
"I'm here." I chuckle.
Mark giggles.
"I missed you." My voice rumbles.
"I missed you." Mark smiles in return.
I think God is trying his best to keep Mark alive. I'm thankful, dear God.
Mark's hair is completely black. His pancreas is officially rotted and his liver is a step closer to becoming the pancreas' best friend.
But, Dr. Choi is giving him a lighter dose of medicine. Mark asked him if he could just see one more new year.
Hopefully, Mark can see another year.
"Reminds me of when you were in the hospital." Mark looks at me fondly.
"Your presence made my day." I speak truthfully.
The room goes silent.
"This sucks." Mark laughs bitterly.
He stares up at the blank white ceiling with a bitter smile.
"The time that I find the love of my life is the time for my body to quit on me. This sucks."
"Or maybe it's the curse of my unhappiness." I talk lowly.
Mark turns to me. He looks at me seriously then he speaks:
"Promise me Jackson." He rests his hand on my thigh.
"Even when I die, stay happy for me."
"Ma-"
"No." His look is firm. "Promise me you'll stay happy. Please don't kill yourself, Jackson."
I bite my lip as I cry.
"Don't hurt yourself."
"Mark." I plead.
"Don't take your life just because mine is gone. Please don't do that, Jackson. I'd weep in my grave if you did that." He cups my face in his hands.
"When your time comes, it comes. Let God take you away, don't take yourself away. I beg you."
That hits where it hurts.
"Promise me? Please?" Mark wipes my tears with the sleeve of his sweater.
"I promise." I sniffle. "I swear on your precious life, I won't do it. I'll fight my mind."
Mark claps his hands and cheers.
"Yay! Thank you, Jackson. Just with you saying that, it makes me so happy." Mark kisses my cheek.
That's exactly what I want. I want Mark to be happy.
I'll do my damndest to make sure Mark stays happy till his last breath.
I promise.
