from his face, his eyes are deeply sunken, and only a hint of color remains in them. His hair has thinned, but he’s shaved his head, the excuse being the summer heat.
“Sweetie.” My mom calls Adriana to take a seat beside her. I know how much my mom is hurting as she turns to look at me, a silent, desperate plea to prepare ourselves for the worst.
“Can we make this quick? Elijah isn’t feeling the best.” Adriana allows my mom to hold onto her as they sit side by side on the couch.
“Adriana…” My dad glances over to Elijah, terrified of what is about to happen, knowing he has to tell the woman he loves who is carrying his baby she will soon be alone. The thought alone makes me almost violently ill.
Remain strong, Lex. Adriana needs you.
“Adriana,” Elijah kneels in front and whispers so softly we can barely hear the words. “I lied to you. It’s not a virus… the cancer is back.”
Adriana raises her head to look at Elijah, then back at all of us. She lets out a small laugh followed by an even louder one. We remain quiet until she realizes we aren’t laughing along with her.
“Wh… What do you mean the cancer is back? Is this some sort of sick joke? What is the date? Is it April Fools or something? Wait… am I being punked? That’s it, right?”
“Adriana…” I mumble, scared to look into her eyes.
“Lex, you hate practical jokes. Tell me it’s a joke… a sick, twisted, cruel joke?”
With my face sullen, I try to maintain eye contact with her, so she understands this is no joke. I watch as her face morphs into disbelief, and abruptly, she turns her focus back to Elijah.
“Stage four, Adriana. It’s too late,” Elijah explains, his voice monotone.
The blood drains from her face as his words sink in. Her body recoils, her hands automatically flying to her stomach, the trembling starting.
“What do you mean, ‘too late’?” she yells.
“Adriana, baby girl, stage four means he has only a few months to live.” My dad finds the voice Elijah has finally lost.
“You’re lying! Charlie… please tell me they are lying? This is some sort of cruel joke you’re playing.”
Charlotte’s face is covered in tears. I reach out and hold onto her hand, which is shaking uncontrollably.
“Adriana, I’m so sorry, I have no words,” Charlotte cries out.
Adriana stands, unsteady on her feet.
My mom follows quickly to hold onto her.
“We are having a baby. In one month, this baby comes into this world, and you are telling me you only have months to live?”
“Adriana, I didn’t want to jeopardize the health of the baby.” Elijah’s voice is barely audible.
“What’s the fucking point? The baby won’t have a father!”
The sobs intensify in the room, my mom and Charlotte unable to hide the pain unfolding before us.
Adriana stands still, not shedding one tear until Elijah joins her and holds onto her, both of them falling to the floor as they cry in each other’s arms.
ELIJAH
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see
My dearest Adriana,
I walk away from this earth into the light with God’s guidance, which has given me the strength I need to allow myself the peace my body deserves.
My love will forever live in our beautiful baby boy, Andy. He is eternally blessed, and I promise to watch over both of you and keep harm and nightmares away.
Love never dies, Adriana. It may move onto a place that you can’t see but believe me when I promise you that it’s all around you. It will never stop, and when you feel alone, I want you to know that my love will forever embrace you.
My life may have not been long in years, but it was fulfilled in more ways than I ever thought possible. The moment I laid my eyes upon you at the football field on that hot summer night when you were just seventeen years old, I knew you were my soul mate, the woman to complete me and make my dreams come true.
In so many ways, Adriana, you made me feel alive, and the biggest gift you have given me was bringing our son into this world.
I may have only held Andy for a few days, but he is my son, and his beating heart, his first breaths were the reason that I could die an incredibly happy and content man.