“Mom, are you just about ready?”
Bishop looked to his watch from the kitchen, contemplating another cup of coffee.
“Yes dear. I’m ready now.” His mother appeared in the doorway wearing a simple yet elegant blue skirt and top.
“Mom…you keep getting younger. I swear this divorce has taken years off of you.”
“You’re so silly. Would you mind pouring me a cup of coffee too, Bish?”
“Not at all.”
“Bishop…I was wondering if it was okay with you, would you mind if I extended a supper invitation to Tyson? We wouldn’t have to dine here. We could go to a diner of his choosing.”
“I don’t know, Mom. Where Tyson goes…trouble is sure to follow. I’m sure he has a history with substance abuse and God only knows what else.”
His mother stared in disbelief.
“I’m kidding, Mom. Of course you can ask the kid to go eat with us. If you want you can take him without me. Maybe get to know him one-on-one.”
“You’re something else today, Bishop. I would actually appreciate it if you were there as well, Bish. He seems to have bonded with you and I think it would serve him well to have a source of familiarity.”
“Cool with me.”
***
Walking into the classroom, Bishop and Constance found the majority of the chairs were taken. Four were left open in the second row. Bishop didn’t initially scan the crowd for familiar faces; he only tugged his mother’s hand in the direction of the seats.
Tyson stood next to a pepper-haired man and Pam. He appeared flushed and nervous—his lips blanched as he occasionally peered out over the small crowed.
As Bishop and his mother took their seats, Bishop’s gaze rested on the back of Alex’s head in the front row. He’d imagined she’d be present but visualizing her sent his pulse galloping.
A few seconds later, the eclectic group was listening to the pepper-haired man shushing them and asking them for their complete attention as a wide-eyed Tyson stood by his side.
Pam, smiling with her hand on Tyson’s shoulder, cleared her throat and addressed the room.
“Hello…hello everyone. My name is Pam. I’m so happy you all could join me and my young friend today. If everyone would just take…just take a seat.”
With everyone settled, Pam continued. “Right now there are over one-hundred-twenty-thousand people on the transplant waiting list. Sadly, many of those people don’t receive the precious gift of life in time. Every day there are so many lives lost…people waiting on miracles. I’m so thankful that my friend, Tyson Ayers, is not one of those people. I’m so thankful that a selfless family and a selfless person made the decision to be an organ donor. That decision saved Tyson’s life. Today he’s here to talk to you a little bit about that. So, without further delay, here is a young man that I am honored to call my friend…Mr. Tyson Ayers.”
Tyson moved forward, clearly nervous, he smiled and seemed to focus on his sister. “Hello…hi everyone. Thank you for having me here today. Like Pam said, my name is Tyson.”
Tyson looked to the floor briefly before shoving his shaking hands in his pockets. “As a project for this class I decided to talk about…I just wanted to tell you all a little bit about my story.” He scanned the audience. “I grew up in a small house. I had a lot of friends growing up. I loved baseball and cartoons and just hanging out with my buddies doing guy stuff. I…I remember the first time my physician told me I had a life expectancy. She told me I had a time limit. I didn’t really get that at first, but then I got worse. I got really bad, really fast. I have a condition called cystic fibrosis. It’s a horrible disease. It robbed me of so much…too much. And it left me knowing that I was going to die. I had this little time left on earth to wrap up what I needed to get done, to…to come to grips with what was happening to me, and to say my goodbyes. It’s the worst…the worst feeling to feel yourself dying.”
Tyson’s eyes glistened.
“It was like…no matter how hard I fought, my illness fought harder. There’s nothing more beautiful than waking up in the morning. But there were some nights I was so scared that wouldn’t wake up, so I just didn’t sleep. There were a few mornings I had to remind myself that it wasn’t just about the fight—and maybe I’d fought hard enough…letting go was okay. But then I felt like I was letting my support system down. They’d been so strong for me, but I was literally out of breath…I was done. I…I have the most beautiful, awesome and supportive sister a guy could ask for. When I say support system, I’m actually talking about Alex. If not for my sister—”
Tyson’s voice cracked as he pursed his lips. “If not for Alex I know I wouldn’t be here right now. Her daily sacrifices and motivation were literally all I was going on. She was all I had left…and then…and then my phone started ringing on a cold winter morning.” He wiped his eyes, smiling as he nodded. “To go from accepting it…to literally accepting it…to hearing there’s even a slight possibility that I might have more time…more life…there are no words to describe that.” Pausing, he smiled as a few tears escaped his eyes.
“You know…when someone gives you an expiration date you learn really fast that life isn’t about money and materialistic stuff. Life is about time with those that make you smile. I know every morning when I open my eyes that each breath I take is a gift…the most beautiful gift. I see the world through the eyes of a guy that had already said goodbye to it. I laugh louder, I forgive often, I dream big and I smile bigger. That’s how I know that, regardless if it’s five months, five years, or if I’m sixty-five-years old…I will be forever thankful for each and every breath I take. Some stranger…some family rescued me without even knowing my first name. Just as I had come to terms with my early demise, I was offered a second chance—a second chance that several of my friends didn’t receive. You know what? I was also offered a major realization…maybe this isn’t a fight at all. This is an effort, a group effort…a community effort and a human effort to find cures and effective treatments and end suffering. This is me, standing in front of my donor’s family…yes they are in the audience, and I am humbly saying thank you. Thank you for each and every breath I draw. Thank you for my life…I know the price tag is a lifetime of grieving your loved one. Please know I’ll live each moment to the fullest. For the rest of you…I ask you…I challenge you to help me spread the message. One of the few things of value my mother taught me was, you can’t take it with you when you go. How true is that? Be it a million bucks or your right kidney, you don’t need it once you’re no longer breathing. Why not check the box? Why not give that second chance to one of those thousands of people? Did you know that one organ donor can save up to eight lives? One tissue donor can help up to fifty people. Every ten minutes a new name is added to the organ waiting list, and every day an average of twenty-two people die while waiting on the list. Those people are men, women and children just like me…all waiting on the opportunity to apply to college, or see their granddaughter graduate college, or to simply get out of bed again and live. Those people are scared…scared and waiting. I understand this gift comes at a hefty cost, but it also comes with the opportunity to take one of those people off of that list…to take their fear away. I can’t…I can’t tell you what it’s like…I can’t put into words—”
Tyson smiled as his tears streamed. “I can’t accurately describe what it’s like to wake up in the morning without that fear. To wake up and the biggest worry on my mind is my biology test…not if today is going to be my last…that’s so beautiful. I can’t tell you how beautiful that is. So I’m here to say thank you to my sister, Alex. You’ve been my rock for so long. You’re seriously the best person I know. I’m here to say thank you to the registered donors in the room. Your decision to donate makes you a silent hero; I could literally hug each and every one of you. I’m here to ask those of you that are not registered donors to consider it and have those open conversations with your loved ones. And lastly…I’m here to say thank you to a young man that I will never have the pleasure of meeting. I’m here to say thank you for saving my life. To his family, and his friends, thank you. I promise to kick so much butt at this thing called life. I won’t take this opportunity for granted…thank you.”
Looking over the room, Bishop noticed several of the seated guests were wiping their eyes. The knot in Bishop’s throat was solid and steadfast. And then his gaze fell on Alex. Seeing her cry uncontrollably from behind evoked something within him. A strong desire to comfort her had Bishop nearly standing from his seat. A few seconds later, Pam was addressing the crowd again as Tyson walked to Alex. The siblings hugged, Alex kissed her brother’s face twice and then excused herself from the room. It was too much—the entirety of the situation and the core of Tyson’s message had Bishop following Alex into the hall.
The hallway was nearly empty and echoed as Bishop trailed behind a distraught Alex from about twenty feet. Finally, her name tore from his throat. “Alex.”
Completely startled, she turned suddenly, wiping her face as she stared in disbelief. “B…Bishop?”
He cautiously approached her, his hands snug in his slacks—mouth dry as if he were the one that had just given the nerve-wracking speech. “I just…I just wanted to see if you were okay.”
Her expression communicated her skepticism effectively. “I appreciate that, Bishop. I’m okay. I’m just running behind today.”
“Oh. Okay. Um…you have such an awesome brother. He’s going to go far”
“Yes. Yes he is. I’m lucky to have him in my life.”
“He’s lucky to have you as well, Alex.”
Her smile was soft—yet she remained taken aback by the interaction.
“I need to get back to my mom. I actually think she’s going to invite your brother to dinner.”
“That’s sweet, he’ll enjoy that. I need to get going too.”
“Be safe.”
“Take care of yourself, Bishop.” As she turned to leave, Bishop found the anger he’d been harboring had all but diminished.
He returned to his mother with a smile. She was standing, as was the rest of the crowd, and talking to Tyson.
“Bish…Tyson has agreed to let us treat him to supper this evening.”
“Awesome. Your speech got me in the feelers, bud.”
Tyson and Becca stood arm in arm; Becca dabbed her eyes with a Kleenex. “Sorry, dude. I meant every word.”
“I know you did, that’s why ya got me. Where are we taking you to eat?”
“It’s whatever. Becca here has plans tonight and Alex is going to be out so it actually is a welcome invitation. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll come by and get you if you want, Ty. Just text when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Bishop.”
***
An awkward feeling lurked as Bishop pulled up to Alex and Tyson’s apartment. Seeing Alex earlier had his mind off track. Luckily a grinning Tyson was walking to the vehicle almost as soon as Bishop placed the car in park.
Tyson’s attire ensured the group would not be dining at a fancy eatery. He wore basketball shorts, sneakers, a t-shirt and ball-cap.
“What’s up, dude?” Tyson crawled in, clicking his seatbelt.
“Not much. What are you hungry for? I could go for a burger or—”
“So you talked to Alex today?”
Tyson’s inquiry was coupled with a large smile.
“Um…yeah. We talked for a little bit.”
“Cool. That’s pretty spiffy.”
“I don’t hate her, Tyson.”
“Yeah…I would hope not. She’s a great person.”
“So, what do you want to eat? My mom’s pretty excited about this little dinner-date.”
“A cheeseburger is fine, man. And thank you.”
“For what?” Bishop began driving from the complex.
“For being cool to Alex. That meant a lot to her, dude. It’s got to suck to know you messed up but not be given the opportunity to apologize.”
Tyson’s comment had Bishop biting the inside of his cheek.
“A lot about the situation sucks, Tyson.”
“Talk to me about it, big fella. Tell brother Tyson what’s got you in all twisted up.”
Bishop shook his head and chuckled. “You really are a dork, Tyson.”
“We’re bros, you can talk to me.”
“I can’t help but think that there might be a conflict of interest, Tyson. This whole situation is entirely out of my league and just…awkward because of what happened…the way it happened.”
“You think being around me is awkward?”
“Nah, Ty…not at all. I actually like hanging out with you. I wish that we would have met…I don’t know…organically through our situation and backgrounds.”
“We would have, Bishop. You and I would have met through Pam just as we were supposed to. You would have met Alex, and I’m sure everything would have worked out fantastically but—”
“But she rushed fate.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“Just something she said.” Bishop gripped the wheel tightly as he turned.
“She went looking for you because she was worried about you, Bishop. She was curious and wanted to see if you were okay. She wasn’t planning on actually meeting you.”
“But she did, Tyson. And now…now it is what it is. The situation is too messed up to make sense of.”
“So stop trying to make sense of the situation and take comfort in the fact that Alex, the guilty party, is a genuinely good person. She’s the best person.”
Bishop said nothing as he pulled into a convenience store parking lot. He stared out over the steering wheel.
“Only the best person would have done what she’s done for me, dude. She’s given me everything and seen me at my absolute most undignified, despicably fragile and helpless state…and she didn’t abandon me. She stayed right there with me through thick and—”
“I don’t know how.” Bishop’s forceful words caught Tyson off guard.
“Don’t know how? How to do what?”
“At first…I was so angry I genuinely thought I never wanted to see her again. Then I had some time to think on it. And…and then the reality set in that I might actually not ever see her again and it hurt. And then I did see her…crying…and all I wanted to do was hold her, but I don’t know how to get from here to there. I don’t know how to forgive her for this.”
Bishop felt Tyson’s hand on his shoulder. “Introductions aren’t the only thing that can come naturally or organically. Just let it happen, you don’t have to force forgiveness, Bishop.”
Bishop nodded slightly. “Everything you said today, Tyson, was so undeniably true. It’s too short…much too short.”
“It’s too short? I can’t help you there, B…but I think your personality will overcompensate for any anatomical deficits.”
Chuckling, Bishop shook his head. “I meant what you said about life being too short—”
“I know what you meant, Bishop. We’re young…right now…we have what so many are paying and fighting for. We have time. You have time. Use your time to be happy. Find out what makes you smile and chase it until you catch it, dude. One day you’re going to wake up and you’re not going to be young anymore. Trust me that day will be here sooner than you think.”
Bishop turned to Tyson and rested the side of his head on the steering wheel. “Thank you, Tyson. I’m glad I know you.”
“Duh. I’m a cool dude.”
“Yes…you really are.”
“You’re a cool dude too, B.”
“Nate used to call me that.”
“Cool dude?”
“Ha…nah. He used to call me B.”
“You’ll have to tell me more about him sometime.”
“Like you said, we’re young, we got time.”
Tyson smiled largely as he reached for the door handle. “What are we getting here?”
“Oh…nothing. I just suck at talking and driving. Let’s go, my mom’s waiting.”
Inside the Holloway residence, Bishop and Tyson were met by Constance in the living area. Still wearing the attire she’d sported to Tyson’s speaking event, she approached with a smile.
Tyson grinned shyly. “Sorry guys. I should have dressed nicer. I just couldn’t wear those slacks anymore.”
“Oh no, sweet boy. You’re fine, Tyson. You look charming as you are.” Constance walked to Tyson and offered him a brief hug. “I was so proud of you today. Your speech was absolutely inspiring.”
“You didn’t think I was a hot mess? I was pretty nervous.”
“Absolutely not, Tyson. You were perfect. You are the perfect ambassador for the cause. I am proud to know such a courageous young man.”
“Thank you, Constance. I’m glad I know you all too.”
“So, Mom…Tyson and I both were thinking burgers. Is that okay with you?”
“I will go wherever you boys want to go.”
Tyson perked up, his hands in his pockets as he rocked on his heels. “I know a little place that makes really great burgers. They make really great everything.”
***
Bishop followed his mother and Tyson into a shabby-looking diner. Bishop’s mother was boasting an optimistic smile but Bishop could tell by her body language that she was questioning Tyson’s destination.
“Hey, Mom, this place kind of looks like our steakhouse.”
Constance nodded in agreement as she glanced around. “It certainly does.”
Once they were seated and their drinks were ordered, the small talk and casual comments gradually gave way to deeper content.
“Tyson…the bond you share with your sister is remarkable. Have you two always been so close?” Constance sat her drink down and awaited his answer.
“Oh yeah. We’ve always been super close. It’s only us two kids now but we were close growing up.”
“What was that like?” Her kind voice seemed to keep Tyson at ease, yet Bishop was uncomfortable with the conversational shift.
“Growing up? It was good…normal I guess. My dad died when I was little. My mom was out a lot so it was usually Alex and me. She was really cool about helping me with homework and laundry and stuff. She pretty much made sure I had everything I needed…she still does, really.”
“So Alex was your primary provider growing up?”
“Mom.” Bishop’s interruption was met with Tyson’s smile of approval.
“Nah, B, it’s okay. Alex was what I would call my provider in the way that…” Tyson searched for his words. “Alex made sure I went to school with clean clothes, my lunch packed, homework completed and when we were older she was there for other stuff too.”
“Other stuff?”
“Yes ma’am. She made sure I made it to my appointments and she made it possible to stay involved in sports.”
“Oh my, that is quite the responsibility for such a young woman. Your sister is not much older than you.”
“Nope. She’s not. That’s why I say she’s literally the best person I know. I love my sister more than anyone will ever know.”
“She sounds like a wonderful person.”
“She is.”
Just then a slender waiter appeared for their order. Bishop was grateful for the distraction.
Skin-deep conversation ensued as their meals were ordered and consumed.
Leaving the establishment, the three found the sun had left them and the temperature was already uncomfortably contrasting from when they entered.
“You okay there, Tyson? Looks like you got the chills.”
“It’s freakin’ cold out here.”
“I have just the thing.” Constance hastily made her way to her Buick Enclave and retrieved a thick sweat jacket from the hatchback. “Here you go.” She presented the garment with a smile.
Bishop could only smile too as he watched his mother handing Nathan’s sweatshirt to Tyson. Tyson eagerly accepted and was quick to put it on.
“So boys…what is next? Tyson, do you need to go home or…”
“Actually,” Tyson swallowed hard, “I was going to ask you two something.”
Bishop studied Tyson’s body language, slightly tense.
“Anything at all, Tyson. Bishop and I do not have anything other than this planned for this evening.”
“I want to know more about him…I want to know more about Nathan. Is there any way we could possibly, I don’t know, just go talk about him?”
“Of course, sweet boy. We can go start a fire in the fireplace, prepare cider, and you can ask whatever questions you have. Does that sound okay?”
“That sounds perfect actually. I’ve never had cider before.”
Orange and glowing, Tyson’s face reflected the large flames as they danced within the fireplace and the darks of his eyes. Like a curious child, he sat cross-legged in front of the blaze while Bishop waited for his mother to produce the cider and photo albums.
“You look mesmerized.” Bishop stood near Tyson, peering down to him.
“Yeah.” Tyson’s jaw remained agape, his stare heavy on the flames.
“I bet you’re not much for conversations on camping trips.”
Tyson finally broke his gaze from the flames to look toward Bishop. “Camping? Never been. Mom would never allow that. This is the first time I’ve ever been in front of an actual fireplace fire. It’s amazing, dude.”
“You’ve never seen a fireplace going?”
“Nope. Our fireplace had dusty cement logs in it. Mom said it would jack up my lungs even worse. Funny thing is I remember my dad smoking inside the house up until his dumbass died.”
“Oh wow. Well you can check that one off. I need to take you camping sometime too.”
“Really? You’d take me camping with you?”
“For sure, man. We can go in the spring time if you want.”
“Holy shit, hell yeah.”
Constance appeared, toting a tray of cider atop a photo-album. “We’ll all sit in front of the fire.”
Graceful with complete poise, she sat herself and dispersed the coffee mugs of steaming cider. “Careful, these are very hot.”
“Thank you, Constance. This is so cool.”
“I do love the fireplace. I love to read by it in the winter.” Constance positioned herself and opened the album as Bishop sat next to her.
“So what did Nathan like? Was he pretty outgoing or…”
“My brother was popular with almost every group of kids at school. One of his best friends in high school was a varsity football player, and another of his good friends was a member of the chess team.”
“Yes…my sweet boy was also very involved with the student’s equal rights group at his school. He had several friends from the LGBT community.”
Tyson smiled as his gaze fell on the open album. “That’s a white butt, Bishop.”
“Ha. We never wore trunks when we were little.”
“That pool is massive…it looks really weird there.”
Constance chuckled. “That’s in Johannesburg, South Africa at Bishop and Nathan’s aunt and uncle’s house.”
“Oh. It looks like a resort or something.”
The next page produced a smiling Nathan, shaking his father’s hand.
“This was at Nathan’s eighth grade graduation. My sweet boy was so happy this day.”
“Mom, you remember when you walked in on Nathan and Courtney? That was amazing.”
Constance shook her head and covered her eyes. “No…not amazing. I was horrified. My sixteen-year-old baby and that…that…”
“She was a sixteen-year-old baby, too. They were just exploring.” Bishop giggled as Tyson watched the interaction in amusement.
“No, Bishop, something else. Let us talk of something else. I do not wish to remember my precious boy that way.”
“Okay, okay. Remember when we were going to sleep out in the backyard with Dad when we were in elementary and make s’mores in the fire pit but it rained—”
“And so all of us slept right here in front of the fireplace and made them.” Constance smiled as she finished her son’s sentence. “We told ghost stories and had hot cocoa until at least three in the morning.”
“But the electricity went out because of the storm and Nate didn’t eat all of his s’more.”
“Yes…the next morning I awoke to a true treat of hardened marshmallow and disgusting chocolate all throughout my hair.” Before Constance could finish her sentence, Tyson was grabbing his belly in a giggle fit.
“That’s…that’s awesome. How long did it take you to get it all out?” Tyson smiled as he awaited her response.
“Hours…literally hours.”
“I bet you were so mad. Did you spank him?”
“What? Oh no, we never spanked the boys. It was an accident. And that night was truly one of the best memories we’ve shared in this house.”
“Some of the best s’mores too, huh, Mom?”
“Yes, Bish. They were delicious.”
“I’ve never had them.” Tyson pulled the album closer.
“Tyson…dude, you’ve never had s’mores?”
“Nah, B. I’ve never really been in a situation that required them.”
“Mom, we gotta hook this boy up.” Bishop sprang from his seated position and rushed to the kitchen. Flinging the cabinets open, he was pleased to find some chocolate bars which were still in date. He grabbed them, the marshmallows, honey-grahams and metal skewers.
The three of them toasted a marshmallow over the flames, and Constance gave simple instructions as to how to construct the sandwiched treat. Tyson’s eyes widened, as did his chocolate covered grin when he bit into the finished product.
“How have I been missing out on this? This wasn’t even on my bucket list…when I had a bucket list.”
Bishop watched his mother staring at their guest with an understandable appreciation plastered about her face. “Tyson, sweet boy…I want you to know that you are always welcome here. I hope that you will visit often. There will always be an open door, bountiful conversation and all the s’mores you can eat for you right here.”
Tyson swallowed and nodded. “Yeah…about that…I just…I don’t want what happened…” Tyson paused briefly as he looked to Bishop and Constance. “I really like you two, I want to continue to get to know you two and I don’t want what happened to mess that up.”
Constance immediately reached for his hand. “Nothing is messed up, Tyson. This is only the beginning of so much for you and for us.”
Her comment had him grinning and nodding his head. “You noticed I finished my s’more…there won’t be any in your hair for tomorrow.”
“Well,” she chuckled, “I certainly thank you for that.”
“Can I use your bathroom?”
“You certainly may.”
As Tyson excused himself, Bishop looked to his mother. “You okay?”
“Tonight was perfect, sweet boy. He is precious.”
“I really like the kid. I think he’ll be around quite a bit.”
“Yes…I do too.”
Bishop helped his mother from the floor and they began to tidy the living room as Tyson reappeared. He walked to Constance and offered her a full embrace. “Thank you. Thank you so much for everything.”
Seemingly taken aback by his actions, Constance looked to Tyson. “Why, of course.”
As Tyson pulled away, Constance took his hand. “Tyson…I must ask. I know they are yours now, but may I hear…may I listen to my son’s breath, just one more time?”
Her request silenced the room; Bishop watched the interaction in quiet.
“Yes ma’am. Anytime you want.” His soft answer was coupled with the unzipping of the sweat-jacket. Constance smiled hesitantly, and then placed her right ear to Tyson’s t-shirt and well-defined chest.
As if he were at a doctor’s appointment, Tyson inhaled deeply while Mrs. Holloway’s head remained affixed to his chest. Bishop watched his mother’s eyes close as tears streamed. After a few breaths she pulled away before it was awkward, wiping her face.
“Thank you so much, Tyson.”
Tyson softly shook his head. “No,” his voice cracking. “Thank you. I can’t put into words. I can’t do it justice.” He took her hand. “You guys, in the middle of the worst time of your life, decided to save my life. I don’t know how to say thank you for that.” His shoulders shrugged. “I owe you, and Nathan, everything. You saved me.”
Constance reached her hand to Tyson’s face, the way she often did to Bishop’s, cradling it. “You are worth saving a thousand times, sweet Tyson. Knowing you are breathing, and smiling, and loving life, makes it so much easier to awaken in the morning and to close my eyes at night. You take so much of my pain away by just being.”
Hearing his mother’s trembling words awoke a realization within Bishop. She is completely right. If Nathan hadn’t made the decision to donate, if this tragedy had ended in ashes, it would be nearly impossible to overcome. Tyson was so much more than some statistic; Tyson was a reprieve. Nathan, for whatever reason, clearly did not want to be a part of the world they were in, but Tyson certainly did.
Bishop approached Tyson and his mother. “Group hug.” He forcefully took them in, kissing his mom on top of the head. “Plenty more memories to be made with you two, that’s for sure.”
“Bout ready to get me home, B?”
“Let’s do it.”
Pulling from the driveway, Tyson looked to Bishop. “Thank you for tonight, man. You and your mom are just…you two are amazing human beings.”
“So are you, Tyson. You’re going to do some pretty incredible stuff on this earth.”
“That’s the plan.”
“So…is your sister home tonight?”
Tyson smirked, turning to Bishop. “Nope. She’s at her secret place.”
The response had Bishop’s head spinning. “What? She’s not seeing anyone—”
“Hell no, dude don’t be dumb. That girl is totally torn up over you. She’s not seeing someone else.”
“Oh. Well, like yoga or some shit?”
“Dude, she’s at her secret place, as in, she asked me to keep it a secret…so I’m not going to tell you.”
“That’s fair.”
A few minutes later they were pulling up to a dark apartment.
“Do um…do you expect Alex to be back from this secret place anytime soon?”
Bishop put the car in park and turned to a grinning Tyson.
“Bishop, sir, are you wanting to come inside and wait for my sister?”
“Do you think that’s dumb? I can’t get past it, man—”
“I think you should stop worrying about what other people think, and I actually think you should stop thinking so much about it. Do what you feel is right, B.”
Bishop felt an uncontrollable smile creep across his face as the thought of Alex walking through the door came into his mind. “Okay…I’m coming in.”
As the two walked through the door, Bishop instantly took notice of the pitiful yelps of a dog coming from the apartment kitchen.
“I’m coming boy!” Tyson happily closed the door behind them and made his way to release the dog from his confinements.
Little Brutis instantly scurried from the kitchen and to the feet of Bishop. “Brutis? Is this Brutis from the shelter?” Bishop reached for the small dog, picking him up.
Tyson’s lack of response was coupled with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.
“Ty…this is Brutis, isn’t it?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“That’s outstanding, Tyson. Nate loved this little dude.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah.” Bishop puckered his lips and accepted the small dogs tongue lashings.
“You’re not mad?”
“That you adopted Brutis? Not at all. I love it!”
“That…that’s the secret place, Bishop. Alex goes there all the time and helps that animal doctor out quite a bit.”
“What? How long has she been doing that?”
“Um…since you first took her there I guess.”
“She’s there now? Like, right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go surprise her, dude.”
Tyson walked to Bishop, taking his dog and petting him. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, dude. Things with you two are still weird and I shouldn’t have told you.”
“Oh, come on, Tyson. You said it yourself, forgive often, and I’ll be old soon.”
“Yeah, but I think it can wait until she comes home.”
“Tyson, please…you told me to go after what I want. I want to go see her. I want to make things right.”
Hesitantly, Tyson nodded and set Brutis down. “You better not shit on the floor, little dude.”
“I would never do that, Tyson.”
“Shut up. Let’s go, B.”
Back in the car, Bishop thought of all the things he might possibly say to Alex. The mounting excitement was instantly quelled by Tyson’s harsh tone.
“I don’t get this, dude.”
Bishop glanced to Tyson. “Get what?”
“We’re bro’s, I’ll be straight up with you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Bishops knuckles blanched as he gripped the wheel tighter.
“I’ve watched my sister mope around, basically crushed, and pick herself up while you wanted nothing to do with her. Now you can’t wait to get to her? You’re literally speeding to get to her…she’s been there the entire time.”
Bishop allowed Tyson’s words time to digest before responding. “It’s you, Tyson.”
“What? You better not be hitting on me—”
“Shut the hell up, you idiot. It’s you and the new life you’ve literally breathed into my family. You’ve came along and reminded me of how fragile life is…like I of all people needed reminding. But you reminded me that we’re not immortal, and no one is perfect. I can’t…I can’t be in misery one more day because of my pride and you just showed me I don’t have to be.”
“You really care about her?”
“I really do.”
“And you think you can forgive her?”
“I do.”
“Okay then…just don’t get us killed getting there. I’ve spent enough of my life trying to not die. I’d like to live a little longer if that’s cool.”
As they neared the area, a faint hint of something sinister entered Bishop’s nostrils.
“B…do you smell smoke or something?”
“I do.” Tiny specks of ash danced in the air, a few kissed the windshield.
Bishop’s heart began galloping as a soft orange glow presented atop the tree line above where the shelter stood. “Oh my god! Tyson, call your sister!”
“Holy shit!” Tyson’s shaking hands worked to call Alex. “It’s going straight to her voicemail! Bishop, what do we do?”
“Call 9-1-1!”
Tearing down the dirt road, Bishop was met by countless fleeing dogs of several shapes and sizes. Some remained statuesque aside the road, others ran about as if they hadn’t a clue what to do.
Like something from a horrific movie, Bishop and Tyson arrived to see the shelter’s roof sporting high-climbing flames from the top.
“I don’t see her car. I don’t think she’s here!”
“She parks it somewhere else! She’s here!” Tyson sprang from the parked car. “Alex!” His cries echoed out over the crackling flames. “Alex!”
“Tyson! Get in the car, the smoke isn’t good—”
“No, no, no, no, no!” Nearly collapsing in Bishop’s arms, Tyson wailed uncontrollably.
Bishop picked him up and sat him in the passenger’s seat. “Look at me, Ty! I will get her, I promise you! Promise me you will not leave this vehicle!”
With a sloppy-wet, frantic face, Tyson only nodded and continued crying.
Bishop slammed the car door and turned to see a horrified Edna running to him, her arm was badly injured—blackened with burns.
“Edna! Are you okay?”
“Bishop! She’s in there! She went back for the Great Dane, she went back for Stella! Stella ran out but Alex is still in there!”
“Stay with Tyson!”
“You shouldn’t go in there, Bishop!”
“Stay with Tyson!”
Running around the back of the building, Bishop heard faint sirens in the distance. Smoke bellowed from the open backdoor.
Ducking lowly, Bishop entered hastily, only the glowing flames lit his view. He chocked as he called out. “Alex! Alex!”
The thought of actually losing Alex eternally was more dreadful than any fear of death lurking in him—it pushed him further into the smoky abys.
A screeching cry from a cat on his right, had Bishop momentarily halting to unlatch its cage; the frightened animal ran from the scene out the open door.
“Alex! If you’re here you have to let me know! Let me know!”
A loud commotion from a neighboring room sent smoke and ash into Bishops mouth, crashing him to the floor as he coughed violently.
The thick smoke was overwhelming, not even the backdoor was visible at this point. His stinging eyes produced thick, sappy tears. The nauseating and suffocating effects of the situation had him facing defeat. Turning to crawl in the direction he’d come from, his hand fell into hers—flaccid and hidden within the cloudy chaos.
“Al…Alex.” He lowered his face to the floor where the air was cleanest, inhaled deeply and stood as he lifted a lifeless Alex, and in an act of blind faith, ran with all he had left in the direction he hoped was the exit.
November air never tasted so good. They fell to the soft earth, the sounds of burning wood, sirens and distressed pets were all about them.
Bishop on his back, his lungs and eyes burning as he forced fresh air into them, was quick to set his own recovery aside and turn his attention to her—Alex.
“Alex!” Her mouth was agape, she didn’t appear to be breathing. Bishop was relieved to find a faint pulse within her throat.
He positioned her flat on the grass and pressed his lips to hers, filling her lungs with his breath. “Breathe, Alex! Damn it! Breathe!”
Repeatedly he gave her breath; his tears fell to her soot-smeared face, until the sirens were all around them. Loud voices fell on the scene as women and men in firesuits and paramedic attire flooded the area.
“We got two back here!” Bishop heard—nothing truly penetrated. He reluctantly allowed his breaths of life to be replaced by a bagged breathing device with an oxygen tank. The world was blurry as medical workers attempted to ask him questions and load him on to a stretcher.
He watched an inert Alex being loaded into an ambulance, wondering if this would be the last he would see her with a heartbeat. And then his gaze fell on Tyson, completely distraught from the passenger seat. He’d kept his promise, and now he was devastated.