I sat next to Alex, my arms around her. It was only a few days after she’d arrived and Dave had just gone into surgery. Honestly, the doctors didn’t know if he would come out again. This was his third surgery on the same tumor and they didn’t think he brain could take it anymore.
“You gonna be okay?” I whispered softly, stroking her hair. She shrugged and sniffed, sitting up and whiping her eyes.
“I dunno,” she said, taking Josh’s hand as he sat down next to her. Brian and Claire came over and sat on the floor underneath her.
“Alex,” Brian said, putting a hand on her knee, “you’re tense.” She smiled sadly down at him.
“I know something’s wrong,” she said, shaking her head. “I can just feel it. Something’s gone wrong.”
“I feel it, too,” Josh said, a tear rolling down his cheek. “Something just doesn’t feel right.” A heavy silence fell over the room.
“Do you think it could be . . .” Chris trailed off as the doctor approached. His face looked sullen. “What happened?” The doctor took a deep breath.
“It’s not good,” he said. He looked at me and Josh. “He’s out, for now, but it was under his own will. He won’t survive for more than an hour.”
I’ve known Alex for most of my life and I don’t think I’d ever seen her go so pale, but she kept her composure.
“Can we see him?” she asked the doctor. He nodded sullenly and lead us into the Intensive Care Unit. Once in there, he led us over to their father’s bedside.
“Dad?” Josh said, softly, sitting down in a chair next tot he bed. Slowly, Dave opened his eyes, smiling weakly at him, then at Alex.
“Hey,” Dave said. He motioned weakly for Alex to come to his other side. She did so and sat down next to him, taking his hand in hers. Brian and I just stood by the wall, watching as the scene unfolded.
“I love you guys,” my father said, looking at me and Josh. Then, he looked at Chris. “What are you doing all the way over there? C’mere, son.” Slowly, Chris made his way over to my side, tears shining in his eyes. Dad looked at all of us again. “You guys are my world. I couldn’t have made it this far without you.” He took a deep breath, coughing a little bit. “I know I only have a few more minutes left, but I had to tell you this. No matter what happens, always be there for each other. Please, don’t fall apart like my family did when my father died. Can you promise me that?” Josh, Chris, and I looked at one another and nodded. “Chris, I’ve always though of you as family. You always have been, and always will be, my son.” He turned to me. “Alex, though I know aren’t biologically my flesh and blood, you always have been. In my heart and in your mothers.” Last, but not least, he turned to Josh. “Son, take care of your sister for me. I’m very proud of you.” He paused for a moment. “All of you.” He started to close his eyes and my heart flew into a panic.
“Dad-“ I began. Chris put a hand on my shoulder and I looked at him, my eyes pleading with him to help me. He shook his head.
“Let him go,” he whispered softly. I turned back towards my father’s still body. After a few moments, the only sound left was the drawn out beep of the heart monitor. Swallowing hard, I hung my head and closed my eyes. There was nothing left I could do.