Carter

I walked across the sand, shoes and socks still on my feet, and stood with my hands tucked in my pants pockets while I stared into the vast open water. Slowly closing my eyes, I listened to the crashing sounds of the waves as they hit the shoreline and the screams of the seagulls that flew overhead. As much as I thought I was prepared for this, I wasn’t.

After a while, I went back up to the house.

“Where’s Zoey?” I asked Sadie.

“She and the doctor are in with Nora,” she replied with a sad look.

I walked over to Nora’s bedroom and stood quietly at the door, watching the doctor examine her as Zoey hung the IV.

“You must be Mr. Grayson,” the doctor spoke. “Nora is resting comfortably and Zoey will keep me updated. Do you have any questions? I know how hard this is.”

“No.” I lightly shook my head. “I don’t have any questions.”

He gave me a sympathetic smile as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“The best thing you can do is not to let her see you fall apart. She’s weak and you need to be her strength.”

We walked out of the room and I escorted him to the front door. After he left, I poured myself a glass of scotch and took it out on the patio. Darkness was falling and the stars were starting to make their appearance for the night. I took a seat in the lounge chair and sipped on my drink.

“Excuse me, Mr. Grayson. Is there anything I can get for you before I retire for the night?” Sadie asked.

“Tell Zoey I need to see her.”

A few moments later, I heard the patio door slide open.

“You wanted to see me?” Zoey’s voice spoke from behind.

“Have a seat.” I pointed to the lounge chair next to me. “Has Nora discussed any funeral arrangements with you?”

“No. She hasn’t. Why?”

I let out a long sigh. “She’s being very secretive about it and I want to know why.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I tried to talk to her about what her wishes were, and she told me that she already has everything arranged, and I will find out the details after her death. Are you sure you don’t know anything about it?”

“I’m positive, Mr. Grayson. She never said a word to me about it.”

“How much longer does she have to suffer?”

“Possibly a week, maybe two.”

“I need another drink,” I spoke as I got up from my chair and walked into the house.

“Drinking isn’t going to make all of this go away,” Zoey spoke as she followed me inside.

“We’re done talking, Zoey. I asked you a question, I got my answer, and now we’re done.”

I poured myself another scotch and brought the glass up to my lips. I stopped, set the glass down, and placed my hands on the bar. I needed to be sober for Nora.

****

One Week Later

In the course of a few days, Nora had multiple seizures, and every day, it was getting harder to watch her deteriorate. She was in and out of consciousness and pumped full of pain medication. I spent most of the day working in my office and holding meetings over Skype. Then I would go into her room, sit beside her bed, and talk to her. Half the time, she couldn’t hear me, but it didn’t matter.

I was sitting in my office when Zoey lightly knocked on the door.

“What is it?”

“Nora is asking for you,” she spoke.

I could tell something was wrong because of the sadness in her voice. Getting up from my chair and with a sick feeling in my stomach, I went and sat beside Nora.

“Hey.” I smiled. “I’m here now.”

She looked at me and a weak smile framed her lips.

“You’re going to be okay, Carter. Promise me.”

Tears filled my eyes, and even though I would never be okay again, I couldn’t tell her that.

“I’ll be fine.” I softly stroked her forehead. “I don’t want you worrying about me.”

“Growing up, you always worried about me. So now, it’s my turn to worry about you. You’re my brother and I love you,” she spoke in a soft and weak tone.

“I love you too, Nora.” I kissed her forehead.

“Zoey?” she called out.

“I’m right here,” Zoey spoke as she walked over to her bedside and took hold of her hand.

“They’re here. I can see them. Can you?”

Zoey smiled as she softly spoke, “Yes. I can see them.”

Nora turned her head and stared out the window as she took her last breath. Tears started to stream down my face as I lowered my head on her chest.