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With that, Rhonda walks out, leaving Briar and me alone. The moment she’s gone, Briar wraps her arms around me. The comfort of her embrace drags more tears from my chest.
“I’ve been off having a blast, living my life, and he’s been in here dying,” I say.
She pulls away, taking my face in her hands. “Don’t say that. He would be happy to know that you’re living your life, Dean. I speak as a parent when I say that’s all we want. To know our kids are living their lives. You understand me?”
I quickly wipe my eyes as I nod. “Yeah.”
“You’re here now. And we’re going to give him the best day we can.”
A smile stretches across my face, and I’m suddenly so glad I brought them.
“Okay, let’s go.”
When we open the door, she slips her hand into mine, intertwining our fingers to show me comfort and solidarity. And it doesn’t feel strange or wrong.
It feels like love.
Thirty-Nine
Briar
Dean leads us to his dad’s room, and I’m impressed with how quickly he’s composed himself. Feeling him cry in my arms shattered my heart to pieces, but I’m so proud to see that he’s not afraid to show emotion.
Bringing us with him today is such a good sign. It means he’s willing to give us a chance—whatever that means. And maybe there’s no name for what this is, but we love him, and we want to be there for him.
I know Caleb feels the same.
Abby clings to Dean’s other hand as we enter the room. His father is sitting in a hospital bed, but he’s lying on top of the blankets in a pair of blue plaid pajama pants and a sweatshirt. He’s so gaunt and nearly ash-colored that it takes me by surprise.
“Hey, Dad,” Dean says as he enters the room.
Immediately, the man lights up. He begins to try and stand, which has Dean rushing over to help him. And when he wraps his arms around Dean, tears prick my eyes again.
The love between them is evident.
“Dad, I want you to meet my friends,” Dean says, turning toward us. “This is Caleb and his wife, Briar.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, going in for a hug.
“Oh, it’s so great to finally meet you,” he replies. His voice sounds so weak. Like it’s been shattered into a million little fragments. There’s an oxygen tank at his side and tubes strapped in place around his head.
Caleb puts out his hand with a smile. “Likewise.” He squeezes Dean’s dad’s hand tightly as he places an arm around Dean’s shoulders.
“I’m Abby!”
Dean’s dad looks down and smiles at her brightly as he puts out a hand for her. “Well, hello, Abby! I’m Sal,” he says.
“We brought you burgers, Sal.” She holds up the bag to show him.
“Oh, thank you so much,” he replies excitedly.
There’s a small table in the room, so I take the food there, unbagging it while Abby helps me pass out everyone’s burgers.
The entire time we eat, I can’t take my eyes off Dean. This concern for him is visceral. How could his entire family be one person? He’s only twenty-six, and he’s about to lose everyone. It’s not fair, and my heart breaks for him.
No matter what happens with him and us, I can’t stand the thought of him being alone. No one should be alone.
Abby sits on Dean’s lap while eating her food. After unwrapping her burger, she holds it out to Sal and says, “Cheers!”
