I watched as Tenny winced in pain. “Can’t you give her more pain meds?” I argued with the doctor.
“I’m sorry, son, we’ve given her the max allowed.”
“She’s in hospice, for Christ’s sake. She’s dying, can’t it be painless?” Tears filled my eyes. I wanted so much for Tenny to have my gene mutation, to not feel any pain. To sleep.
“We’re still limited.”
I glared at the doctor. “She’s hurting, and you’re letting it happen.”
“Penn, sweet boy.” Tenny’s voice was shaky, and I rushed to her side.
“Yeah, Tenny?”
“Stop fighting with the doctor.”
“But you’re hurting.”
“I am. But it’s okay. I won’t be hurting much longer.”
I hated what that meant, but at the same time I also wished for it so she wouldn’t suffer anymore.
“I wish I could take your pain.”
Her smile was weak and the grasp she had on my hand light. “I wouldn’t.”
I sniffled and rubbed my chest. “I feel this ache, though, Tenny. Right here.”
Her eyes went to where I was pressing. “Your heart.”
“Is it?”
She nodded. “You’re sad, sweet boy. That’s heartache. I promise it’ll pass. Time will heal it. Love will make it strong.”
“Love, ha.”
“You are going to fall in love with someone great someday, Pennsylvania, and I’ll be looking down on you, and you better believe I’ll be yelling I told you so.”
I released a watery laugh. “You’re high.”
She giggled weakly. “I am, but I’m also right. You’ll see.”
The next time I opened my eyes, I knew without a doubt that Gideon was there.
“Hey.” He hovered above me. “I missed those green eyes.”
“Hi.” I could see the shadows under his eyes, and his always pristine hair was disheveled.
“Normally, I’d ask if you were in any pain but…” He snorted.
“I’m just tired…I’m at the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
His hand brushed the side of my face, and he pressed a kiss to my forehead. His nonanswer was very telling. I’d obviously been here for a while and he feared I’d be upset, maybe?
“Three weeks.”
