CHAPTER41

Ten days, That was the number of days I spent in the hospital with Carter trying to keep him busy. After his last breakdown, the doctor explained that he developed several chest infections that could be dangerous. Since then, it's from one attack to another. He always experiences shortness of breath even without much activity and it's really killing to know that he's health was deteriorating. I sat back on the chair beside the bed and took a good look at Carter's frame. He looked so pale and without joy which was not the Carter that I have come to know. I remember the first time I saw Carter before we were introduced by our parents in second grade; it was one of those memories that'll never go I was sitting on the bench by the playground waiting for Lee to come around so that we can go play when I set my eyes on a boy picking up a flower. As soon as he set his eyes on me, he walked over and spoke kindly "Hi, I'm Carter and what are you doing all alone during break time?" "I'm waiting for my brother" I reply with a smile. "You're pretty" he suddenly says causing me to blush. "Thanks and my mum and brother always tell me that I'm a princess and princesses are pretty" "My dad said my mum went the stars two years ago today" he answers sadly. "She'll come back. Till then I'll protect you" I stood up to hug him and he gladly responded to it. "No, I don't need to be protected. I'll always protect you," he said with so much courage. He vowed to protect me and that he did. He always kept me on my toes and knew when to help but now, it feels like there's nothing I can do as much as I want to. "Hey, why you crying?" He croaked when I discovered that I really was crying. I ran to his side "Shh, don't say anything. It's nothing" "Oh well, you got to start being honest, I may not have that much time anymore so-" he was saying before I hit him. "You are not going to die Carter and I can assure you that" He chuckled then coughed "Don't be too sure. I mean look at me, I'm not the Carter that promised to protect you always" he whispered, tears brimming his eyes. My stomach churned at those words and somehow I knew it was true but I refused to let that get to me, so I cleaned the threatening tears from my eyes and answered "Carter you got to be optimistic about this. I mean, No one has ever injured their eyesight from looking at the bright side" I tell him. "Well then, I'm sorry to inform you that there's a rampant need for glasses today" he replies. "Look let's just enjoy the moment. While it lasts" he started and I couldn't agree more with him. ***** "So doctor, what's the situation at hand?" I asked once I entered the doctor's office. With a smile, he handed me Carter's case card so I opened it and brushed over it but couldn't understand. "Oh uh, I don't speak doctors' language" I laughed lightly, handing him the file. He chuckled "Well, it says here that Carter has stopped responding well to the drugs given to him and as such, the situations not too good. You see his case is one of the rare ones as only 31% of those with respiratory disease die and the mean age us sixty so seeing as he's almost twenty, let's say that his is quite rare. I know how much he must mean to you but I think it's best you start accepted that his time is very short here and I'm deeply sorry but there isn't much we can do" he finished with a sad smile and my heart sunk at the information. This is really it? Am I really ready to say goodbye? "Hey, what'd the doctor say?" Lee asked as I stepped out of the office. Needing a little fresh air, I walked right out ignoring Lee. I can't breathe. **** "Hey, it's your turn" Lee said to me as soon as he came out from Carter's ward. After I freaked out, Lee went to the doctor himself and he found out everything so he made each of us have a private moment with Carter even though I told him how unnecessary it was but knowing Lee, he can be too realistic for me. "Fine. But I'll have you know that there's no reason for such" I said before I walked into the room. Carter looked so bloated in his stomach region and his light was just... Gone. I put on a brave smile even though it was the opposite of what I was feeling "Hey" I muttered. "Hi, I know I look like shit so you don't have to pity me. Laugh it out" he smiled. I chuckled, the tears threatening fall "No, you look okay when this is all over you can work it out" I shrugged. "This is not a food problem. Let's be real, I'm dying it's very clear and I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I will keep protecting you" he says as I wrap my hand around him. I think it's time to be real too. I sniffed "Oh God Carter, what am I going to do without you? I'll miss you so damn much. It hurts thinking about it" I sobbed in his chest as he cried silently on my shoulders. "Hey don't cry" Carter suddenly said "As if you aren't crying too" I laughed and hugged him back. He pulled out of the hug "Wait. Before I forget, I just want you to promise me one thing" I gave him a look but still answered "Yeah sure what?" He cleared his throat "Whatever happens, just know that he loves you and I know that you do. So please give him a chance" Okay, now I'm confused. "Oh don't give me that look, I know you know that it's Lexis I'm talking about" "No I do know it's just that, he didn't mention any of such to me" I say more to myself. A little part of me is leaping for joy why the other half just lays there, asking questions. "Either wa-" he began coughing continuously and I instantly called for the nurse as my friends rushed into the room. My heart racing and everything in me pounding I looked up to Carter and smiled softly, tears rushing down "I love you Macbeth" I whispered quickly before I missed my chance. "I -I love you Looney a-d I'll mis- yo-" And just like that the final words of Carter Macbeth Williams, my best friend, my brother and of course my protector.