Sarge hadn[t seen the hippie for most of the day. In fact after seeing Doc he had gotten into his van and drove off without telling him anything. It wasn't like the hippie. All he could do was go about his business and try not to worry.
It was hard but he was relieved when Fillmore drove up to his dome and got out. He blinked though at a bag in his hand and the way he was walking. His concern grew when the closed sign stayed up.
When the business day ended he closed his shop and went over to the dome. He pushed back the beaded curtain. "Fillmore? Are you alright?"
Fillmore winced and looked up from his teacup. His eyes were troubled.
Sarge frowned and went over to him. He sat in the chair opposite of him. "Fillmore?"
The hippie sighed and looked in his tea. "Cancer…"
"What?"
I have cancer man. I…I'm dying," Fillmore said looking up at him.
Sarge stared at him for a long time letting the news sink in. "No you're not!"
The cringe from his friend told him he'd unintentionally shouted. "Sorry." He took a deep breath. "How long?"
"Depends. With radiation and chemotherapy up to a year. Without it…six months."
Sarge looked at him. "Your decision. Although I think I know what you'll choose." He put a hand on his shoulder. "I won't leave you. Pretty aggressive huh?"
He nodded. "Yeah and I can thank my younger days for that." He sighed. "Paying for it now. You always did warn me…"
Sarge smirked a bit. "I told you so…"
Fillmore scowled at him with a grumble!
Sarge shook his head with a smirk before sighing. "Fillmore if you need anything…"
Fillmore put his hand on Sarge's . "I'll tell you I promise."
He nodded as he locked eyes with his hippie friend…his best friend. He pulled his friend into a hug knowing that his gruff exterior was no longer needed or wanted. He didn't care what anyone would think of him now. What mattered most to him was Fillmore.
In fact that night after making sure he'd be ok he went home and lay on his bed before letting his own tears fall and for the first time in a very long time he prayed. "God don't take him. Please…I can't outlive another friend! I beg you…please…" He repeated that prayer until he finally fell asleep.
In the Geodome next door Fillmore was lying on his bed praying a different type of prayer.
"God please…please help Sarge through this…"