Page 21 of Stray

“Would you believe that I looked a lot like him just last year? I mean, I’m old, but…” He trails off, and I glance over the man. He’s tall, or he would be if he could stand straight. I can see Jackson in his facial features; even though his cheeks are sunken in, his skin is almost translucent, and he’s so very fragile and thin.

“I can see that.” I agree before starting up the movie.

“I haven’t seen him in six months at least.” He mutters as I take a bite of the cake. Six months? I look at the withering man, and my heart breaks. He may be trying to protect his kids by hiding up here until he dies, but it’s killing his heart to do so.

“So I met Betty today,” I say while putting a forkful of cake near his mouth. I smile when he takes it.

“Oh yeah? How is my girl?”

“Your girl?” I ask while taking another bite.

“Betty has been my girl since I helped birth her twenty years ago. Rode her every day until I couldn’t ride anymore, about a year ago.” He lets out a shaky breath, and I twist my lips in thought as I rest my head against his bed. I need to get Morris out of this room, even if it’s just one last time.

“You know,” he breathes out while looking at me. “I don’t recall saying you could sit your ass on my bed with me.” Raising a brow, I take another bite of cake.

“Morris, that cake is better than sex.” I sigh while shaking my head. “You should feel honored. You’re the first man I’ve shared a bed with in over five years.”

“Only one of us is willing here, girlie.” He mutters and takes another bite of the cake when I offer. “I know you’re just trying to make me husband number seven to get my money.” I chuckle, shaking my head, before sipping my tea.

“I dunno, your wife may have something to say about that. For whatever reason, she’s pretty smitten with your grouchy ass.” Morris’ eyes flicker, and I watch his smile become soft.

“My Dorothy is the greatest thing to ever come into my life. She doesn’t deserve what’s happening to her.” I watch the war waging over his tired face and give him a nudge, knowing that all he wants right now is to not think about what will be left behind when he is gone.

“You ready to watch this?” I grin, causing Morris to smile and nod. Settling into the bed, we share the cake while laughing at the movie.

* * *

It’s a little after three in the morning when I leave a sleeping Morris’ room. I walk down the steps and head to the kitchen to wash the dishes when I see Jackson sitting at the table.

“Hey,” I say softly as I pass him.

“How is he?” He asks, and I realize it’s one of the only times Jackson has actually asked about Morris.

“Asleep. I got him to eat some cake.” I watch as he scrunches up his face.

“Shouldn’t he be eating something healthier?” I turn around to stare at him.

“Jackson, you know your dad isn’t coming back from this, right?” He turns his head away. “I’m serious, you realize my job is just to keep him comfortable until–”

“Stop.” He mutters as he stands from the table.

“Jackson,” I whisper harshly. “Are you seriously in denial about–”

“I said stop!” He snaps as he smacks a bottle of water off the table, sending it across the kitchen, causing me to flinch while instinctively covering my face.

“Sorry!” I cry out quickly, walking around him and making a beeline to my room.

“Fuck! Ozzy, wait!” He calls after me, but I close the bedroom door before he reaches it, locking it for good measure. I hear his hand lightly smack my door. “I’m so sorry, Tink,” he breathes out, and I listen to him slide to the floor on the other side of the door. There’s a brief moment of silence before I hear him exhale a long breath.

“Ozzy?” He says softly, and… goddamn it, he sounds so lost and alone. Sighing, I walk over to the door and sit against it, resting my head back.

“Yeah, Jackson?”

“I…” he coughs to clear his throat. “I didn’t know he was… that he would be so…”

“Cancer is a cruel disease,” I say softly. “It takes everything you have to give, and when you’ve got nothing left, it finds more.”

“Is he in pain?”

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