Mark DeLancey

Chapter 18

Two agonising days later, it was confirmed. Mark was dead. Working on the drill that afternoon, he had no chance.

The following days, weeks, were a numb blur. The memorial service was hell. There was no body to mourn. Only a plaque to place at the cemetery in memory of the only person I had ever truly loved in my life.

Somehow I got through and the months and years passed. I thought I had gone through dark days as a child but these were darker.

Rachel moved away, about eighteen months after the accident. I never thought she would, but she left to live near her sister.

Almost three years, after Mark died, I had just turned 22; the headaches started. The doctors investigated and eventually found that I had glioblastoma and very little time left to live.

This leads me to now. I'm lying in a hospital bed waiting for the results of more tests. This new treatment probably won't save me but the experts reckon it's worth a try.

I'm used to the idea of dying. Made my peace with it, I guess. But I wanted to write all this down before that happens. I needed to tell this story. The story of Mark and me. Once I'm gone who's gonna know it? No one. It'll be lost like so many countless stories before.

And I had to tell you about Mark. And maybe a bit about me too. At least the bit with me and Mark. He was my story. My reason to be alive. He saved me in so many ways. More than once. I don't care if that sounds corny. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have known what it was to love or be loved.

I wouldn't have known genuine kindness or concern or what it was to be really cared for. I am so grateful for him. For him. Who he was. And I wish I could bring those glorious days back, when he was in my arms and all we had was each other.

Rachel visited me in the hospital once, a little while back. I wasn't expecting it. She looked so much older. Mark's death had aged her. She sat with me for some time and we shared memories and grief. It was cathartic and necessary. She told me that Mark had left me money in his will and shares and other things I didn't understand.

The nature of his job was so dangerous that before every stint on the rig he would have to go over his affairs and make sure they were up to date. Before this stretch he adjusted his will to include me.

After Rachel left, I contacted a lawyer to make a will of my own. The only people I had in my life were my non dad, and sister and brother, and a couple of friends from work. So I looked after them and gave the rest to charities. The shares and other stuff I gave back to Rachel.

I don't need any of it. As I lie here I feel okay. It's finished now. I told the story I wanted to tell. The only one that mattered in my short life. Thank you, dear reader, for reading it and hopefully remembering it sometimes.

And Mark DeLancey? Forever and always, you and I will be remembered on these pages. I loved you then and I love you still.