Page 67 of Out of the Blue

A future she’ll have with another guy. Someone else will make her scream in pleasure, laugh at his stupid antics, and give her babies. All the things I wanted to do with her. If only I had more time. Somehow I bet fifty years wouldn’t be enough.

“Oh, Trent.” Auntie Gloria rushes into my room.

I swipe the tears away from my face. “Hi.”

She rolls a chair over to my bedside, sits on the too tiny seat, and grabs my hand in hers. “How are you feeling?”

Like I only have seven days left on this earth. “Like I wiped out on a bike.”

She chuckles. “That you did, my boy.”

“Auntie, I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“Can you get a lawyer over here? I need to do my will.”

In a commanding voice, she orders, “Now, stop saying such things, Trenton Washington. You’re going to be just fine, you hear me.”

If only that were true. “I need a new kidney. You and your kids weren’t a match. No donors on the registry work either. I’m trying to be responsible here.”

She sighs. “I’m not giving up on you, so you can’t either. There’s a big push for everyone to get tested. And I mean everyone. Your little Cordelia put it out on social media, and all your fans are lining up as we speak. There will be a match.”

“She did what?” I can’t keep the shock out of my voice. “Why would she do such a thing?”

My aunt strokes my cheek. “Because she loves you, silly.”

Love? My mouth clamps shut. Such a wasted emotion when I’m only around for another week. I shake my head. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Keep the faith. I have enough for the both of us.”

A knock sounds and a nurse comes in. “I need to check Mr. Washington’s vitals. If you would please give us a moment.”

Relieved she’s leaving for no other reason than I need to process what she told me, I accept her kiss. The nurse checks my blood pressure, temperature, and all the machines in the room. Writing something on a whiteboard hanging across from me, she says, “Okay. You’re doing great.” She offers a practiced tip of her lips. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on you again.”

“Thanks.”

When the nurse leaves, I go over how I want to leave things with Cordelia. Love? God help me, I do love her, too. If only things were different.Like I had years ahead of me instead of days.But I need to play the cards I’ve been dealt. I don’t want Cordy to be here with me when I die. It would make my passing that much harder on me. And on her. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I’m sure she won’t leave me. This is so fucked up.

How didn’t I know I had a bum kidney?

The main subject of my musings sails through the door, a bright smile plastered on her face. Such a brave soul. I don’t want to leave her.

“You’re still awake.”

“Yeah.” My stomach rolls. I can’t send her away. I’m not strong enough. “A little birdie told me you posted my situation on social media and fans are checking to see if they’re a match.”

She shrugs. “It was the least I could do. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to ask you, but you were unconscious. The band thought it was a good idea.”

My brothers would. “I want you to know that even if no match is found, I appreciate what you did.”

She sits in the seat my aunt vacated, only it doesn’t look as tiny against her body. The curves that respond to my every touch—when I had the strength and ability. I move my hand a fraction and she takes it. “You’re going to get through this. You have to.”

I force my lips upward. “I’ll do my best, okay?” In my heart, I don’t believe what I’m telling her.

She nods, and tears start flowing down her cheeks. I wish I could wipe them away, but I can’t reach. Fuck, I wish they never had to start. After a few minutes, she grabs a tissue and wipes her cheeks. “I’m alright now.” She inhales a deep breath. “We got this. Something will come up, it has to.”

I squeeze her hand. I don’t want to say this, but I must. “And if it doesn’t, you have to promise me you’ll continue moving forward. You’ll keep working in social media because you’re fucking badass with it. You’ll continue seeing the world.” I glance away from her because I can’t watch her face as I say this. “You’ll meet a great guy, get married, and have babies with him.”

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