"You lost your parents?" Usagi asked me, her head tilted to the side. Her eyes, though red from tears, were concerned for Mamoru.
"Yeah, it was so long ago. It still hurts sometimes, but death is something that gets easier to live with." He said this, hoping his words would bring her some measure of comfort. "When did you find out about Shingo?" he asked her.
"Yesterday. It was just supposed to have been a check up, but they took a scan and found the tumor there, eating away at his brain again." She looked away bitterly. She was visibly upset.
"What did the doctors say?" asked Mamoru.
"Well, they are trying to get him into surgery this week. Probably Friday." She was watching the window again, looking through the glass at the rain.
"Keep me updated, Usa. You have my support." It didn't seem that there was anything better for him to say to her.
"Thank you, Mamoru! It means so much to me that you are being so kind." She looked outside, the clouds were not quite so dark now, the rain appeared to be lightening up. "I should probably be getting home," she sighed, standing. "My momma will be worried if I am out too much longer."
"Do you want me to drive you home?" He offered.
"Would you? Only if you can spare the time, I feel like a must be such a burden to you. "
"Are you kidding Usa! We'd already be friends if I could keep my foot out of my mouth. I have nothing to do today, I would be happy to drive you home." He took her hand and they left the apartment. He drove her home, and stopped the car in front of her house. "Can I see your cell phone?" he asked. She nodded, handing it to him. He typed a few numbers in and his phone began to ring. He returned her phone to her, and said" Now you have my number. Call me for anything. Even if it is the middle of the night. Call if you… or your parents… or just anything. Call me, I won't hesitate to call you," He smiled genuinely at her.
She took her phone from him and smiled, "Thank you Mamoru." She got out of the car and walked up the steps to her front door. She stepped inside and watched Mamoru pull away from the drive. She glanced across the front room, from all the shoes and coats, she knew the house was full. All of Shingo's friends had come to support him. She smiled at someone or other as she walked through the kitchen, rummaging for food. She then returned to her room alone.
It truly amazed her how wonderful her brother was. He could be so positive sometimes, and the friends he had brought home over the years were such good people. He had never been afraid of the future. This calmed her some, and allowed her to sleep peacefully that night.