Page 122 of Electric Touch

After a quick shower, separate, much to my disappointment, we get into bed. Adrestia picks some of the best pictures to send to Ariella.

When I first found out about her sister’s illness, it was too late for me to visit her before the tour. I promised I would when we got back. And I did, becoming a regular visitor. We took her out a lot too. I tried to get her to do some things on the list, but she confided the list was for Adrestia. Something her sister already told me she suspected.

The more I got to know her, the more my heart broke at the thought of her passing. Seeing them together, Adrestia, her sister and parents, sometimes got me so choked up I could barely stand to be in the room. And not because they were all upset, crying and lamenting the cruelty that has been handed to them. No, they celebrate each other. They love each other, and it is fucking beautiful to witness. They’ve welcomed me into their family with open arms.

Dafni divorced her third husband four months ago. She isn’t officially back together with Hank, but they might as well be. Adrestia and I both have speculated they’re closer than they’re making out.

Ariella outright surmises they’re boinking which scandalised Adrestia. Which is weird, given the things she lets me do to her body.

Apollo still gives me the eye from time to time, but he’s mellowing. He’s hung out with the band a few times. Jack seems to have taken a liking to him, but that is Jack. He’s always collecting people around him.

The last few weeks have been getting tougher. Ariella has lost the use of her left leg and right arm. If it had all been down one side, she’d joked it wouldn’t be so bad. She could at least move one leg and arm on the same side and go around in a circle. Given it has put both sides out of commission, she has to use a wheelchair.

I've read up on ALS extensively and see the signs. Ariella is deteriorating. She’s losing more motor functions. I do everything I can for Adrestia. She puts on a brave face every day, but I see beyond that.

I will be there for her, no matter what. I’ve already told Declan if anything happens and she needs me, then I’ll be there. Fuck the band.

He’d stared at me when I said that. I thought he was going to kick my ass, but he didn’t. He patted my shoulder and told me he’d clear the way when the time came.

She’s on borrowed time, we all know it.

There is a celebration planned when we get home. Ariella refers to it as the ‘List Burning’. We’re having a bonfire party on the beach by her complex. There is going to be a ceremonial burning of the list to commemorate its completion.

I was surprised to learn Ariella’s apartment is in an assisted care centre for people with illnesses like hers. It has a medical facility on site and the friend I’d met a few times when we first went out there, is her personal nurse. Adrestia always says they’re lucky Hank is able to pay for such an amazing facility for her.

“Look at this one,” Adrestia leans toward me with her phone. “Do you see the heart?” she asks, a huge smile on her face.

I see it, the tulips have fallen in a way that looks like a huge heart with both of our feet in the shot.

“She’ll love this,” she sends it to her sister. As I watch, her lip wobbles.

“Come here,” I hold out my arm. She sets her phone aside and lies against me. I rest my chin on the crown of her head and hold her. “I’m here for you,” I whisper.

She does what she always does, she puts on a brave face.

Five nights later, we’re all gathered at the beach back in New York. Ariella invited Dylan, Alessa and Jordan too, because she has gotten to know all of them over the last few months. She wanted to thank Alessa for sticking up for her sister.

Unbeknown to me, Alessa had given Riley hell for that photograph. Alessa told Riley if she didn’t stop being a bitch, she’d make sure Riley was kicked out of the band. She’d thawed a little when Brent dumped Riley two months ago.

I felt kind of bad for her. But not much.

It’s a full on party with music, food, Greek of course, and the huge bonfire. Everyone is laughing and having a great time. Dafni is teaching Alessa how to do a traditional Greek dance. Alessa looks one second away from jumping in the fire.

Jordan is holding up Ariella’s good arm and dancing around her while Hank looks on with a sad smile. When he sees me watching he dips his chin and I do the same. I can’t imagine what this is doing to him. He perks up though and gets up to dance with Dafni, much to Alessa’s relief.

Adrestia and Apollo seem to be in some kind of heated debate. She has a cross little frown on her face as he laughs at her. I’m almost tempted to go over and kick his ass, but I wouldn’t stand a chance.

My brother sits down on a log we’ve dragged over to act as a bench. He hands me a beer and I sit beside him.

“I’ll admit I was wrong,” he says.

“About what?”

“Love.”

“You going sappy on me, bro?”

“Fuck no, I want nothing to do with that shit, but I can see it now. It’s different from how you were with Riley. Don’t punch me, but what you have with Tia, it’s… Real?”

---