An Unexpected Death: Part II
Author's
Notes: Part
two in my little "series" if you wanna call it that. It picks up
RIGHT where the first one left off so please read and review this one too!
"I have...something...and it's slowly eating away at
me. It's terminal and…and there's no cure," Matt murmured his voice
breaking. He bit his lip when no one responded to his statement.
"Please,
someone...just say something...anything..." He could feel the tears
starting to form in his azure eyes again. He lowered his head so that the
others wouldn't see his weakened spirit.
"What
do you have? Do they know?" Joe asked. By the look in his eyes and the
tone of his voice, Matt could tell Joe was more than just slightly flustered.
"Cancer?
Maybe. I don't know. I'm pretty sure my dad does and the doctors damn well
better," Matt answered him.
"H-how
long do you have?" Tai asked in a hushed voice.
"A
few weeks to a few months," Matt answered. He took a deep breath. He knew
that he sounded cool and confident to the others but he was feeling the exact
opposite. The pain and fear and regret kept rolling over him in waves but he
utterly refused to let it show. I can NOT cry now, he thought, I can let the
tears out later but not now. I won't cry in front of them. I'll let myself cry
later...
* *
* * * *
Tai
opened his family's apartment door with his key and walked in. His mother was
helping Kari with some last minute studying in the kitchen while his dad was
reading his new book. Mr. Kamiya looked up from his reading at his son.
"Where've
you been?" he asked.
"At
the park," Tai answered softly.
"What
were you doing?" his mother joined in on the conversation. Tai's gaze
shifted from Kari to his mom to his dad and then back to his little sister.
God, she looked so innocent. What would happen if she lost him or he lost her?
Tai's eyes squeezed shut and his brow furrowed. He shivered and looked up at
his parents.
"Look,
I...uh...I don't want to talk about it right now," he told them and with
that he went into his room, closed the door, and collapsed in his bed. He lay
there with his head in his hands. He couldn't believe what was happening. Matt
was dying and there wasn't a thing that could be done to prevent it. Matt had
told them that he didn't want to be pitied or fussed over; he just wanted to
know that they'd all be there for him when he needed them.
Tai
rolled onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. He lay like that until
exhaustion overtook him.
* *
* * * *
Matt
walked into the apartment he and his dad shared and tossed the keys on the
coffee table. He picked up the piece of paper that was posted on the
refrigerator. It was in his dad's handwriting and read -
Matt - Went to store to pick up a few things. Be back ASAP. Remember to
take meds at 6! - Dad
Matt
finished reading the note and looked at the clock on the wall. Six o'clock,
perfect timing. Matt went to the cabinet, took out the bottles and pulled out
the prescribed dosage placing each pill on the counter. He looked down at them
with a sigh. So many pills, so little time, Matt thought darkly as he poured
himself a glass of water and swallowed them one by one.
Matt
finished them and went back to the living room. He had three tests next week in
school and since he most likely wouldn't be doing anything this weekend, he
might as well study. He sighed again and started working.
After
awhile Matt looked up at the clock and saw it was around 7:00 PM. He rubbed his
eyes and stood up. Immediately he felt light-headed and he dropped back onto
the couch. He shook his head, trying to clear it.
Matt
stood up again, slower this time. He walked to the hall leading to his room and
was hit with another wave of dizziness. He thrust his hand out against the wall
to steady himself. Matt managed to get down the hall and to his room by running
his hands along the walls to keep himself from falling. Then, all of a sudden,
the world spun and went black.
* *
* * * *
Mr.
Ishida walked into the apartment and hung his coat in the closet. He walked
into the living room and saw his son's jacket and schoolwork on the couch. His
face shifted into a mournful smile and then he closed his eyes to be sure the
tears wouldn't fall. Soon there wouldn't be homework or not-so-good grades or
messy rooms to clean or teenage angst. Matt would be gone...Mr. Ishida shook
his head violently. No, he wouldn't let himself think such things. Matt was
strong. He'd pull through.
"Matt?
I'm home," he called into the apartment. He waited for his son to come
bounding into the room happy to see him home.
But
no one came. The only time that would ever happen would be when Matt was
playing music in his room.
But
there wasn't any music. Something wasn't right...
"Matt?
You home?" Mr. Ishida called and turned down the hall... "Matt? Oh my
God! Matt!" he cried as he rushed to his fallen son.
