The Talk
Things were already bad. She didn't know how long he had to live. She didn't want to think about when…if…
She walked around in a fog for a couple of days, trying to focus, trying not to think. She'd lose him…there was no way around it…
"Cathy? You have a moment, dear?"
She'd always have a moment for him. She wanted to make him happy. If he…when he…
"I know this will be hard for you to hear…"
Everything was hard to hear. The shop was closing, there'd been a robbery…Uncle Bob was…had a…didn't have long to…
"…and I understand that you and Mr. Bradley are good friends…"
No, they weren't. He was a douche. He didn't care about her. He'd never cared. How could she have spent all this time thinking he was any different? She was an idiot…how didn't she see it sooner?…
"…but I'd like for you to give him some space."
She wanted to say that it was the other way around…but let him think what he wanted…she didn't have the heart to tell him he was wrong…
"He's not good for you, Cathy. He's a troublemaker, and I just want you to be safe."
She felt her head nod. So heavy…so…heavy…
"I don't want your heart to break."
It was too late. Her chest was heavy…it was going to be for a long time…
"Cathy? I know you'll hate me for this. I'm just…I don't want my niece to be hurt. Especially if I'm not there to…"
A pang went through her. She closed her eyes, holding in her tears. Not now. She wasn't going to cry. Not now. Not here. Not ever.
"Just…please. Could you listen to your old uncle?"
She looked up, grinding her teeth as a tear escaped. "It won't be a problem," she said evenly.
"Cathy, I…"
"I'll be fine," she said, more convincingly. She forced a smile. "It's not going to be a problem."
He nodded. "I feel terrible, but…"
"Don't. It's for the best, right?"
She slept soundly that night. It was the first time in a week.