Page 71 of Laugh

My throat closes up when I nod and move over to the chair Momma B vacated. They murmur their goodbyes to the both of us and slip out of the room, leaving me alone with my best friend.

I run my eyes over his features, doing my best to remember every freckle, scar, and wrinkle he has. At this moment, he looks likemyMarcus. I can almost ignore everything else and look and watch him like he’s simply sleeping, like the last week hasn’t been a part of our history.

“I should probably say something super sappy and tell you how much I love you and miss you, but I don’t want to. Ican’tsay goodbye to you, because if I do, then it makes this all so final.”

Looking down at his hand, I run my finger over his knuckles, my mind whirring with thousands of things I want him to know.

“I came up with another book idea,” I blurt out, flicking my eyes up to his face to see if he’ll react to that. He’s always gotten excited about a new, crazy idea, and I try not to let my heart sink when he doesn’t even flinch. Taking a breath, I keep talking.

“The title is still up in the air, but I’m thinking Cock-a-Doodle-Doo.” Snorting out a laugh, I shake my head at myself. “Bet you can guess what it’s about, too. Okay, so get this. I was looking up the mating habits of animals. No, I won’t tell youwhyI was looking them up, but I was curious. Did you know roosters are assholes?”

I pause, giving him a moment to answer, imagining him laughing and urging me to go on. “Theyare. Birds in general have a few different practices. Some of them will bring materials for nests, or dance. A lot will bring food to the female they’re trying to woo. Fucking roosters are sneaky little shits, though. When they find a chicken they want, they’llpretendto set down food on the ground for her. So, when she waddles over to check it out and bends over to eat it, they’ll sneak around behind and mount her.”

Laughing at myself, I lean forward and brace my elbows on his bed, talking directly to him. I honestly think this is one of my favorite ideas so far, and I’d love to hear him laugh and plan it out with me.

“I told Beau about it and he was confused why I’d want to write about a rooster and chicken getting freaky together. I had to explain the concepts of shifters and told him I would have them be able to shift into human form. Then he asked what the point was of making them shifters to begin with. It was a good question, whichthengave me the idea to make them squawk when they talked. Like the rooster, who I think I should name Brock because it rhymes with cock, would walk up to her and say, ‘Hey bok-bok-baby, you’re looking mighty fine today’. They could ‘bok’ on all the ‘b’ words.”

Giggling, I shake my head. “I don’t think he realizes how clever I am. He’ll learn, though.”

“I already know you’re clever, happy girl.”

My head jerks up and I’m surprised that time has gone by so quickly. Then I frown over the fact that it’s only been an hour and Beau is already standing in the doorway. “I thought you had a meeting?”

Shrugging, he comes over, kissing me on the top of my head. “I called in and asked if I could participate over the phone. Explained the situation. They were good with it and I just finished up in the parking lot. I actually never left. Where are his parents?”

With a sigh, I lean back, never letting go of Marcus’s hand. “They ran home to shower and change. They should be back soon.”

He looks at Marcus and asks, “How’s he doing?”

“They gave him some medicine to keep him comfortable,” I share, not sure what else to say. What elseisthere to say?

Cocking his head to the side, his mouth tries to pull up in a smile. “He’s snoring.”

“Hush, don’t let him hear that accusation. He’ll deny it until his dying breath…” I trail off, realizing what I’ve said and widen my eyes at Beau.

Brushing off my slip of the tongue, he chuckles while running his hand over my head. “I’ll never tell a soul. Want me in here with you until they come back? Or should I wait outside, give you some time alone?”

“Stay, please,” I beg. It’s easier to talk when I don’t only have the sound of my voice to keep me company. Without another word, Beau drags a chair next to me. Once he’s settled, I can feel him studying my profile.

“Tell me stories about the two of you.”

Grinning at my best friend, I share story after story with the man I’m certain I’ve fallen in love with, about the man who’s had my heart since before I can remember.

Each story flows into the next while Beau laughs at the funniest parts with me. I fall for him even harder as he tries to hide when he wipes a tear away, but his smile never falls from his face. He’s here for me as I tell him about the pranks we played on my sister and brothers. A couple of nurses come in to check his vitals, but I just keep talking. I don’t mind when they stick around and learn all about the man they’ve been caring for since last night.

Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien slip back into the room after an hour passes, and the two of them join in with the tears I’ve got them all chuckling through. It’s a somber mood, but also beautiful. I love that I have this opportunity to share parts of Marcus with people who haven’t had a chance to know him like only a few of us do.

When Beau asks Momma B a question about how she reacted when she found out that Marcus and I had stolen all of her left socks, I glance down again at my friend. I can’t process what seems different, so I narrow my eyes, trying to make my brain register what I’m seeing. Then dawning horror slams into me and I suck in a breath.

“He’s not breathing…”

My words silence everyone. Then, with a cry, Momma B shoots to her feet to bend over her son. “Marcus?” she cries, and all I can feel are chills running down my body.

The nurses have us move back quickly so they can have us all out of the way. Beau slips his arms around me and physically moves me away from the bed so they can focus on stopping my world from ending.

The sounds of voices and machines, Mr. O’Brien’s sob of “Oh God,” and orders from staff all become white noise as I stare down at the bed. At my friend slipping away from me.As much as I want to stay in here, I know I need to leave. His parents don’t need to hear me losing myself while they’re suffering. Turning my face into Beau’s chest, I realize he’s trembling behind me.

“We need to get out of here,” I whisper to him.

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