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“Then I fucking fly to Mexico and get him back!” Lotto cut in.
“Lotto… stop for a second and think about his wishes. You know him. You know why he chose this.”
“We can’t let him die,” Bones said.
“You can’t stop something that Cisco has already accepted. I know it’s hard, but he doesn’t want this. You may, but he doesn’t.”
Bones sighed as he ran his hand over his face, not saying another word.
“Your dad doesn’t want you to throw away your career and your chance at happiness. He doesn’t want to be responsible for you being left with nothing. He certainly doesn’t want you getting involved with those scumbags again, and especially Nero.”
“So you know?” Bones looked up at me with heartbreak in his eyes. “Dad told you about my plan?”
“He did.” I reached out to grab his hands. “And I understand. I know I’d do anything for the ones I love, too. I know this isn’t easy for you, but it doesn’t matter now. You can just abandon the entire idea and plan.”
“Ari…” He did not sound convinced, which had me more than a little worried.
Had he already agreed to something that he could no longer get out of? Had he already started falling into that trap once more? I had no experience in that world, so I had no idea how it worked at all.
“I might as well just be honest with you both,” he finally said to me and Lotto. “I’ve already been given some money from Nero. I might already be in too deep. It’s not as easy as just saying I changed my mind.”
“Well what if…” I drawled slowly, “we figure this out together? Come up with a plan together?”
“I don’t want to get you involved,” he said, “but I see that I already have. I’m sorry. Really fucking sorry.” He took a deep breath. “What else did my father say? Did he give an address? Any details?”
The time was right to give him Cisco’s letter. I had no idea what it contained, but I worried that Lotto and Bones weren’t ready to see Cisco’s wishes in black and white.
“Your dad gave this to me,” I said, handing him the envelope. “I hope this gives you both the answers you need.”
He tore the letter open quickly, as if he wasn’t even really thinking about it, and much to my surprise, he read it aloud so Lotto could hear.
Dear Bones and Lotto. My boys,
I just want to start off by apologizing for leaving you behind like this. I know you both must be angry with me, and the explanation I’ve given probably doesn’t feel enough for you, but I hope that one day you manage to come to terms with it all.
I have decided to go to Mexico, to live out the last of my days because returning home is something I’ve always wanted to do, and something I’ve never had the chance to. I’ve always had responsibilities, and I’ve never had the money. I need the smell of Mexico, the taste of Mexico, and the feel of Mexico once more. I plan to eat my weight in authentic food and just live.
Bones burst into weak laughter, but there was no hiding the sad tears that streamed down his cheeks.
I do appreciate everything that you’ve both done for me. I appreciate all the help given to me, but I hope you get that I can’t keep on doing this fight any longer. Fighting cancer is a filthy fight. I can’t be in the ring any longer. It’s time for me to be at peace with my fate and be reunited with the woman of my dreams.
Please don’t try to find me, and know that I will be in contact again when I feel the time is right. Give me this. I beg you both to try to understand.
I’m so proud of the two of you. I’ve always been proud. You’ve both worked hard. You’ve overcome adversity. You’ve made something of yourselves despite the fact that both of your lives haven’t always been easy. Now is the time to let go of all your pain and demons and to start focusing on you. The both of you. You’re a team and always will be, and that gives me comfort knowing you have each other.
I will always love you both.
Dad/Pops
As Bones finished reading the letter, I raced to his side to pull him in for a hug. He clung to me tightly, and my heart shattered into a million pieces for him. I hated that there was nothing I could really do. All I was able to do was help Bones get through this, however long it took.
“He’s such a good man,” Bones said. “It’s not fair that I’m losing him. I hate it. I fucking hate it. He doesn’t deserve to go. I need him. I really need him. I don’t think I can go on without him.”
