It was super scary, even though I knew he would be cool with it.
(I hoped he would be cool with it.)
But he said, “Thank you for telling me, Darioush. Have you told your mom? Your dad?”
“Not yet.”
“Are you scared?”
“No. Maybe. I don’t know.”
We talked for a while, about how I wanted to tell people, and who I wanted to tell, but then I think Sohrab realized it was making me nervous, because he switched topics to Babou’s latest appointment.
“The doctors think it’s time for him to be on... what do you call it? Hospice?”
“Oh.”
I don’t know why that made me want to cry. I knew Babou wasn’t going to get better.
But I guess there was a little part of me hoping for a miracle.
“I’m sorry, Darioush.”
“It’s okay.”
It wasn’t okay, and Sohrab knew it. But we didn’t have to say it out loud.
We talked about other stuff after that: about the weather in Yazd; about the fortunes of Team Melli; about the latest argument he’d had with Ali-Reza and Hossein, the boys he played soccer/Iranian football with in Yazd; about school, and his uncle’s store, and his mom’s cooking.
Right before we hung up, Sohrab looked at me. And he said, “I’m glad you told me, Darioush. I will always be your friend.”
I told Sohrab about Landon taking me for my haircut, and about visiting Rose City after, and how Dad had walked in on us making out.
When I told him I accidentally bit Landon’s tongue, he laughed so hard he had to wipe tears away from his eyes, and that made me laugh too.
And I told him about having another Awkward Talk with Stephen Kellner.
Sohrab and I told each other everything.
“But enough about me. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. I saw Babou yesterday.”
“How is he?”
“Not very good.” He sighed. “Mamou thinks it won’t be long now.”
“Oh. Is she okay?”
“Your grandma is strong. Like you, Darioush. But...” He looked off to the side for a moment. “It’s hard for her. She won’t tell anyone when she needs help. Maman and I have to force her to slow down.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I love your grandma. And your grandpa.”
“Me too.” I wiped at my eyes. “I wish I could be there.”
“I wish you could too.”
