Jack's Song

Ch. 3

They only had three days left before they had to head home and Buck was seriously considering calling Bobby up to request more time. He didn't want to leave Jack, especially not now. He'd developed something that those in the medical field affectionately referred to as the death rattle, a sharp, harsh, painful cough that was a pretty accurate signifier of the end being near as fluid begins to build in his lungs.

Both Buck and Eddie were sitting by his bed watching anxiously as they watched the man who looks two harsh coughs away from coughing up his lungs while Chris sat at his place on the bed gently rubbing his back not unlike how his dad does for him when he's sick.

"It's okay kid," He says to Jack as the coughing eases up now instead replaced by a humourless laugh.

"How are you so okay with this? you know I'm dying right?" The question may have been directed at Chris but Buck could hear the tone of disapproval that was clearly directed to Eddie.

"I know," Chris replies softly. "I've seen people die before and I know you're going to die and I'm going to be sad because you're my friend but it would be sadder if you died alone or if I never got to meet you at all,"

Jack looks like he has tears in his eyes as Chris pats his hair affectionately. "Gosh, Evan, how are did you help to raise such an intelligent kid,"

No one corrects him, they had given up after the first two days. Jack just refused to believe they weren't a family.

"W-when you go to heaven, will you look for my mum? keep her company up there?" Jack looks frantically between Buck and Eddie noting the mild levels of panic in both of them at Chris's request. Jack looks back down to Chris who was looking up at him with the most open and honest and innocent eyes that he couldn't help but smile down at him and tell him "Of course,"

The thing about people who are dying, something that is unexplained by science, they sometimes get a Burt of energy, a 'second wind' if you will right before their death. Some believe it's their body using the last of their energy in an attempt to fulfil their final wishes.

Buck knew this. It was one of the strange facts that had come up when he'd fallen into one of his holes of research. He was still surprised and overjoyed when the next day they came in to find Jack sitting up, talking and laughing with the nurse while eating a cup of red jello.

For a moment Buck let himself believe that Jack was getting better. That somehow, miraculously, his body had fought off all the cancer, even after having stopped treatment.

"Hey, guys!" Jack shouts excitedly, "nurse Taylor said that we can go out into the park for a bit today, you guys up for it? there's an awesome playground and everything," He directs the last part at Chris who's eyes light up instantly.

The bright sun warmed them as Buck pushed his friend in the wheelchair outside. The warmth cutting through the fresh morning air. "It's a perfect day isn't it?" Jack asks voicing everyone's thought.

"Yeah, it reminds me of the days we used to go out collecting lizards and frogs and all those other creatures that you knew a ridiculous amount about," Buck says laughing.

"Oh god do you remember that hideous toad we found out by the pond that time?" Jack asks with a laugh, Chris listens intently, he too loved all those critters.

"Oh, jeesh and you had the genius idea of trying to keep it as a pet?"

They had been nine years old, the toad was easily the size of either one of their faces. They had attempted to hide it from their parents which on an ordinary day would have been quite easy, was made difficult by the large and over the top ball the Buckley's were holding. It is safe to say that things didn't go well and their plan ultimately lead to Buck and Jack running around with their sisters on their tails and a toad hiding in a woman obnoxiously oversized wig.