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Again, I shrug. “Fuck if I know. If not, I’ll buy one. Or I know a few people who have homes here along the river. One of them surely has a plane. We rich fuckers have all the toys.” I wink at him while heading toward the porch door.
Two hours later,we’re in the air.
“God, I’ve missed this. I really should take more time to play,” I say, surveying the winding river below.
Koen adjusts his headset and shoots me a quick grin. It’s the biggest one I’ve seen from him. I would have done this weeks ago if I knew a little aircraft fun was all he needed to settle into our bromance.
“Have you taken Scottie flying?”
“Nope. I only took her virginity. I wanted to leave her with a few firsts for her husband to give her.”
“Fuck you, Milloy.” Koen laughs.
Like true bros, we go to lunch after we land to let our adrenaline rush subside. Koen says nothing about my salad or sixteen ounces of pressed juice until our empty plates and glasses are removed from the table.
“Do you think that’s really curing you? Eating like a rabbit?”
“Curing me? Hell if I know.” I dig cash out of my pocket and give him a headshake when he tries to pull money from his wallet. “But it’s not killing me. It matters what fuel you put into your car or that plane. Changing the oil. Regular maintenance. Not pushing things past their limit. We respect the need to nurture gardens, house plants, and animals so they thrive instead of getting sick and dying. Yet, when it comes to humans and disease, we lose our minds and completely disregard common sense things such as good nutrition, mental and emotional nourishment, and reducing stress. So, sitting in a hospital with chemicals dripping into our veins becomes the norm because we’ve been led to believe it’s the only option. Andit isan option that sometimes works out.
“But listen, man, I have terminal cancer. Chemo and surgery don’t have a good track record with my kind of cancer. So I have nothing to lose by eating like a rabbit. All this to say … I’ve approached my diagnosis and grim prognosis with my eyes wide open. I’ve researched and questioned everything, as everyone should, because only then can you make an informed decision.”
Koen nods slowly. “Had they told you the chemo would give you another five years, would you have made the same decision?”
I lift a shoulder. “Possibly. But I don’t know. No matter how much you try to imagine what you would do in a situation, you don’t know until you’re in it. And I don’t know how long I’ll live. I’m taking it a day at a time. But I was told that without treatment, I had three months at best. Listen … I’m living on borrowed time.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
YOU KNOW HE'S THE ONE WHEN HE LOVES YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS LIKE IT’S YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH.
Scottie
It’sKoen’s first time in Philly, and he’s meeting my family. It’s my first time leaving Price in complete control of the store, and I don’t know who’s more nervous.
“They’re going to love you.” I turn toward him just as we reach the front door to their brownstone townhome in Society Hill.
He glances up. “Are all three levels theirs?”
“Yes.”
“And you live in a trailer.” He grins, shaking his head.
Before I reach for the door handle, he nuzzles my neck. “If your dad says no, I just want you to know I’ll always remember you.”
I giggle, squirming because his scruffy face tickles me. “Maybe don’t lead with how you want me to can tomatoes and pop out babies. Let him figure that out in real time.”
“Noted.”
I open the door.
“Sweetheart!” My mother saunters toward us in her wide-leg jeans and long-sleeved, ruffle-front blouse. Her chin-length silver hair is tucked behind one ear.
“Hey, Mom. So good to see you.” I enjoy her warm embrace.
Koen’s right. Good mothers should be treasured. Mine wasn’t home with me, but I always felt her love, and she’s always been nurturing. That’s what makes her such an amazing doctor, too.
“Mom, this is Koen. Koen, this is my mom, Caitlyn.”
“Dr. Rucker, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Koen offers his hand.
