"Yes, thank you. It's coming through now." Louis told the lawyer as the paper started coming out of the fax machine in his office. He stared at the paper almost as if he was looking at some sort of venomous snake, knowing that this could very well spell the end for Lona and he knew probably for any hopes he had of ever working things out with his son.
"Yes, I'll call you if I have any further questions."

Louis reached out, picking up the papers carefully with one hand as he hung up the phone. Only two sheets. How could something this important only take up two sheets of paper? He sat down slowly and started to read,
praying that he would find some sort of loophole in this so he wouldn't have to mention it to Hook at all, at least not for the moment. He knew how Elmer would react once he heard about it. Louis didn't think he could break his promise as a doctor, the promise he made as a friend in signing this for Lona, that he would see her wishes carried out but at the same time, the thought of having to face his son and tell him that he was going to have to let Lona go broke his heart. Elmer was sick. Who knows if it could make him worse, make him give up fighting the disease, if he lost Lona.

The will itself was the standard format, the declaration that Lona was of sound mind when she had it drawn up, basically what everyone listed.
Louis felt tears starting to form as he read it, though, and he had to struggle to hold them back as he read. He hadn't let himself cry since Edgar died and he wouldn't start again now.

I, Lona Massingale, being of sound mind, make this statement as a directive to be followed if I become unable to participate in decisions regarding my medical care.

I direct that life-sustaining procedures should be withheld or withdrawn if I have an illness, disease or injury or experience extreme mental deterioration, such that there is no reasonable expectation of recovering or regaining a meaningful quality of life. These life-sustaining procedures that may be withheld include, but are not limited to: surgery/antibiotics/cardiac resuscitation/respiratory support/artificially administered feeding and fluids/blood and blood products. I further direct that treatment be limited to measures to keep me comfortable and to relieve pain.

These directions express my legal right to refuse treatment. Therefore I expect my doctors and everyone concerned with my care to regard themselves as legally and morally bound to act in accord with my wishes, and in doing so to be free of any legal liability for having followed my directions.

The actual will took only one page, though so what was the second?
He moved it to the front, his eyes widening slightly in surprise when he saw the scan of a hand written note addressed to him.

'Louis, I'm sorry that I didn't get to talk to you about this more but working death into the conversation is a bit hard especially when it's your own death. If you're reading this, it looks like it's time for me to discuss my death with you, though. I want you to know that you're the person at the hospital that I trust the most to carry out my wishes. If I'm ever at the point where I've suffered brain damage with no reasonable chance for recovery and a meaningful life, I'm trusting you to make sure that my wishes are carried out. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a bed dependent on tubes and machines, not able to do the things that I love, not able to function as a doctor and a researcher. I'm sorry if this puts you in a bad position but of all of the doctors here, you're the one that I trust the most to see that my wishes are carried out. And even more than that, you're my friend. I hope that I told you that before whatever happened to me happened. I hope that I told you how much I valued your friendship and how much it meant to me. Thank you for giving me that.

Promise me that you won't mourn or cry for me. I don't want that.
I trust you to handle the arrangements for the disposal of my body.
I have no family to speak of so I would like to be cremated. I have no desire for a funeral or flowers, perhaps a simple memorial somewhere if you think that there would be anyone interested in attending, otherwise, I don't want any sort of ceremony. Please dispose of my belongings in the way that seems best to you.

Goodbye, Louis, and I'm sorry if I ever failed you as a friend. If I ever did, please forgive me. Your friendship was very dear to me. Lona

He couldn't help it. As he finished reading the letter, tears started to roll down his cheeks. With Lona putting this degree of trust in him, how could he not do his best to carry out her wishes no matter what the consequences were?

"Lona, I'll do what you want." he whispered softly as she stood.
"I just hope that my son can forgive me for it."