Perfect.
He crossed the room and slid the scrunchie off the hairbrush and into his pocket.
When he returned to the stairs he was careful to skip the creek on the top step and made his way back down and to the living room.
Vance and the other guy were back to playing video games while his parents looked on, chatting to him as he did.
Well, this was boring. Mark spotted the bowl of half-eaten Pad Thai next to Vance. Maybe he hadn’t gotten enough. Maybe he had. He would have to wait until later to know for sure.
He bid everyone a quick goodbye and headed for the door. He had better things to do than watch a dying guy play video games.
CHAPTER 23
NAYA
She walked through the door at exactly four, tossing her keys in the dish and removing her shoes. For such a uneventful day, she was beat. She smiled as she remembered the night before with Kevin, well, that explained it.
She crossed the entry way thinking about going upstairs to change, but decided she would check the living room first. She walked in to find Kevin and Vance playing video games.
“Hey you two.”
They both jumped as if they hadn’t heard her at the door, but the minute Kevin saw it was her his face broke out in a smile. “Hi.” He said back quickly before turning back to the game.
“How was your day?” She asked as she sat down on the couch next to Vance.
“Good, Mom and Dad came over for a bit. They’re leaving tomorrow so we’re having dinner with them.”
“Ah.” Naya leaned forward to glance in the kitchen and then checked her watch. “Where’s Derek or Elliot? They’re supposed to stay until six.”
Kevin waved his hand in her direction. “Something came up and he had to go about an hour ago. I texted you to see if it was okay but when you didn’t answer I told him he could go since I was here.”
Naya felt her pocket for her phone but then remembered it was dead. “Oh yeah, sorry about that, my phone died. I didn’t charge it last night.”
She watched as the corner of Kevin’s mouth rose slightly in a smirk. It was clear he wasn’t going to say anything more in font of Vance, but he was obviously remembering the night before.
She stood to head upstairs to change, but then remembered she had wanted to say something. “So, it turns out, I’m off tomorrow. And I was thinking us three, and Elliot or Derek or whoever’s day it is, we could all go on a walk together? After mom and dad leave?”
Kevin glanced at Vance out of the corner of his eye, waiting to see what he would say.
“Sure, sounds fun. It’s Elliot tomorrow by the way.” Vance’s eyes didn’t stray from the screen. “Did you have somewhere in mind?”
Naya looked at Kevin. “I was hoping either you or Kevin would know somewhere.”
Kevin nodded, groaning as his character died in a replay on the screen. “Damn, I was so sure I was going to win that one.” He set down his controlled then seemed to remember that Naya had asked a question. “Oh right, I know a place, no worries.”
“Good. Alright, I’m going to go change before mom and dad come back.” She headed up the stairs. It wasn’t until she took her shirt off that she noticed the change in the air. She looked over her shoulder to find Kevin standing on the second stair from the top, staring at her.
“You know you could frighten a woman doing that.”
Kevin shrugged and walked up behind her to give her a hug. “So, tell me, how was work?”
“Not much to report, just waiting for some information to come in, which will hopefully be on my desk when I walk in Monday.”
He released her from his hug so she could finish changing. When she was done, he gave her a peck on the lips.
“What would you say to spending the night with me again?”
She leaned against his chest and looked him in the eyes pondering his request for a moment. “I don’t know how I feel about leaving Vance again. Why don’t you just stay here?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you don’t have a door?” He motioned to the stairway. It was private enough that you couldn’t see anything from the bottom of the stairs unless she changed right at the top, but he did have a point.
“I just feel like I can’t keep leaving Vance and relying on Trevor and Sebastian to help when they aren’t being paid or anything. How about you ask Vance and if he says he doesn’t want you to stay here, then we can discuss the alternative.”
Kevin nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll go do that before your parents get here.” He winked and disappeared down the stairs.
Naya sighed and plugged her phone in on her nightstand, watching as it slowly came back to life. It was so weird how much her life had changed in a matter of weeks. She hadn’t been expecting a huge case like this to fall on her lap so soon, and she certainly hadn’t planned to start dating one of her brother’s friends.
She glanced around her room, it was fairly neat except for a few piles of clothes. She quickly picked them up and placed them in the hamper. There, now she was ready for company. She chuckled slightly at herself and headed back downstairs.
Kevin and Vance were talking in the living room and Naya didn’t want to interrupt, so she went into the kitchen where she was greeted with boxes of open Thai food. She quickly packaged everything up and placed it in the fridge. She was a bit annoyed no one had cleaned up, but she didn’t want to complain because at least Vance was eating something. Every time she looked at him, she felt like he was getting skinnier.
She grabbed a towel to wipe down the counter when she heard the doorbell ring. She would have to finish later.
They returned home much later that night than Naya had anticipated, it was almost midnight by the time they walked in the front door. It was her parents’ fault, they had wanted to spend as much time as possible with Vance, and she couldn’t really blame them, they were going to go back to La Junta in the morning. But they had made plans to come back in a few weeks and spend more time with Vance then.
Naya unlocked the door and Kevin wheeled Vance up the walk in his wheelchair. Vance had an apprehensive look on his face and Naya couldn’t tell if it was because he was thinking about if Kevin could spend the night or because of something else.
After she opened the door for them, Kevin wheeled Vance to the bathroom where he dropped him off and then folded the wheelchair against the wall. They both stood in the front hall quietly as they heard Vance brush his teeth.
“So –?” She asked quietly, a yawn sneaking through.
“He’s fine with it.”
“That makes it easy then.” She smiled at Kevin just as the bathroom door opened, and Vance shuffled out.
“Need a shoulder to lean on?” Naya offered, holding out her hand.
He shook his head. “I think I can manage to the bedroom, but thanks.” The two watched as Vance walked ever so slowly into his bedroom. Naya motioned her head to the stairs, hoping that Kevin would get the message.
Kevin nodded and went up the stairs two at a time, careful to hop over the top step. Naya shook her head. “Show off.” Kevin beamed and then moved away from the doorway, presumably to make his way over to the bed.
Naya knocked on her brother’s open door.
“It’s clearly open.” He grumbled from the bed. He hadn’t bothered to change his clothes.
“I know, but I was being respectful.” She motioned to what he was wearing. “You don’t want to switch into something more comfortable?”
He shook his head glumly. She moved towards him.
“What’s going on, you’re never like this.”
“Nothing.” He mumbled. “Some days it just hits harder than others I guess.”
Naya quietly sat on the bed and put her hand on his shoulder. They sat in silence for a few minutes, both contemplating his future.
It was Vance who finally broke the silence. “I told them yesterday when I went in for chemo that I wouldn’t be coming back.”
Naya turned and looke
d at what remained of her older brother. “But Vance, the doctor, he said your best chance—”
He held up his hand. “The chance was so slim in the first place Naya. And it’s not working. At all. And at this point it’s drained my savings, and now we are draining yours and I won’t stand for it. This is it Naya. Whatever happens now is what happens.”
Naya put her head in her hands, tears rising in her vision. “But Vance—” She tried to argue.
“No Naya. I’ve made my decision. You need to be able to live your life after I’m gone. I can’t steal your life when my destiny is set in stone.”
She reached her arms around Vance and rested her head on his shoulder. “How did I end up with the best older brother ever and I don’t even get to keep you.”
Vance smiled sadly. “That is definitely not what you would’ve said when I was twelve and intent on you being the butt of my practical jokes.”
It was Naya’s turn to smile sadly, tears were sneaking down her cheeks. “Yeah, and remember when mom said some day we would be best friends?”
He nodded, “Why did we wait so long?” He finished her sentence for her.
“I love you Vance.” Naya whispered.
“I love you too Naya. And I always will.” Vance continued to look down at his lap.
“Why do I feel like I’m saying my goodbye to you?” Naya realized suddenly. “You aren’t planning anything crazy right?”
Vance shook his head. “Besides stopping the chemo, no. I promise I’m not planning to off myself or anything like that. You’re stuck with me until the end.”
“Then why?”
He shrugged, clearly fighting back his own tears. “I just, I don’t know, something weird happened today. And I got the sudden notion that I should say my goodbyes.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
“And mom and dad?”
“I talked to them this afternoon. I know they say they will be back in a few weeks. But Naya, I never thought I would be saying this at thirty-two years old, but I can feel it. My time is coming. And soon.”
Naya tried to brush away the tears that were flowing freely now, but it was no use. “I want to argue with you and tell you that you’re wrong. But I can’t.” The feelings she had been trying to hold back these past few weeks were finally starting to make sense.
“Because you can feel it too.” Vance whispered quietly.
She nodded. “I think I knew when I first moved in.”
They sat quietly for a few more moments just enjoying being there. It was Vance who broke the silence again. “Tomorrow, on our walk, I want to say goodbye to Kevin. When the time seems right, can you and Elliot leave us alone? Please.”
“Anything for you.” She promised in a whisper, she didn’t trust herself to speak any louder for fear she would begin sobbing uncontrollably.
“And I don’t have much of anything left, but can you call a lawyer? I need to draft up my will.” His voice transformed from emotional to businesslike. “The house is yours.” Naya knew he was serious about it, there was nothing for her to say.
“I’ll have one come on Monday.”
“And I want to be cremated. Don’t waste money on an urn or anything, spread my ashes somewhere in nature. Please. Don’t spend any more money on me.”
She felt her tears slow realizing that after all he had been through, Vance was more worried about messing up her life than his. When he didn’t speak for a few more minutes she squeezed him and then slowly stood and headed for the door. She planned to clean herself up in the bathroom before going upstairs to see Kevin.
“And Naya?” Vance called as she was almost to the door.
“Yes?” She asked, turning back around.
“I’m sorry.”
This confused Naya and she tilted her head to the side. “Sorry for what?”
“That you changed your whole life for the last few weeks of my life.” His voice cracked and he dropped his head to his hands.
Naya quickly crossed to the bed and hugged him again as tight as she could.
“Never see it that way Vance. I’ve only been here a few weeks and already they’ve been some of the best weeks of my life.” She remembered the huge case breathing down her neck, well, best except for that she reasoned. “In La Junta I had reached the end of my rope. There was nothing else for me to do but stare at the same few cases for years on end. Coming here was the shock I needed to show me there was more to life.” She realized she was crying again. “And for that I thank you.” She whispered the last part.
After another minute of hugging each other, Naya pulled back and stood. “Goodnight Vance.”
“Goodnight Naya.” He replied as she slowly closed the door behind her. She turned to go to the bathroom and ran straight into Kevin who was leaning against the wall, a solemn look on his face.
“How much did you hear?” Naya whispered.
“All of it, I think.” He whispered back. “I didn’t mean to. I came down to brush my teeth and when I heard you guys talking, I froze.” He embraced Naya in a hug and she felt herself somehow still crying. Where was all this water coming from anyway? He smoothed a hand through her hair.
“Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”
She nodded as he took her hand and gently led her up the stairs and around the creaky step. Both were silent as they stripped to their underwear and slipped into bed. Kevin lifted his arm and Naya snuggled into his side.
“I’m sorry I ruined the mood for the evening.” She grimaced remembering his playful mood earlier.
“It’s not your fault.” He must’ve realized how bad that sounded because he quickly amended his statement. “And it’s not Vance’s either. I just wish there was something I could do to keep the inevitable from happening.
“Me too.” She sighed as they fell into a companionable and comforting silence. Naya was so tired that sleep came quickly and soon she found herself in that weird place between waking and sleeping.
A place where everything was pleasant and safe. She was back in La Junta, running through the long flowing grass, her older brother running right alongside her…
Morning came all too soon. Technically she could’ve slept in, but the light from her window woke her up around seven. She was still cuddled up to Kevin who was fast asleep snoring lightly. As quietly as she could, she slid from bed and pulled on her hiking clothes.
She ran her brush through her hair, noticing that it felt weird in her hand. When she pulled the brush away from her head, she noticed her scrunchie, which had always been on the end was no longer there. She paused. Maybe Kevin had borrowed it for…something? Well, it was just a scrunchie, she would just have to grab a regular hair tie from the bathroom to put her hair up.
Trying her best to hold her ponytail in her hand as she stepped down the stairs, she made her way to the bathroom, where she grabbed a hair tie and brushed her teeth. Then she made her way to the kitchen to finish cleaning up the mess she had left when they had left for dinner the night before.
Luckily, it wasn’t too bad, just some sauce residue and a little spilled fried rice on the counter. She quickly cleaned it up and then looked in the fridge to see if there was anything she could make for breakfast.
No such luck, she hadn’t been to the store in over a week. The fridge was crowded with a random smattering of take-out boxes from probably every restaurant within a three-mile radius but nothing else. They would have to go out, like usual.
She heard movement in the bathroom and was in the process of trying to guess who it might be when Kevin appeared in the doorway.
“You’re up early.” He commented, raising his eyes at her clothing choice.
She pretended to check her watch even though she wasn’t wearing one. “I could say the same, I’ve only been up for a few minutes.” She paused and looked back at the fridge. “So, we have absolutely nothing to eat, so once Elliot gets here, let’s plan to grab breakfast somewhere near wherever this walk is.”
“Sounds l
ike a plan. I was thinking about this trail up north a bit, it’s called Sand Creek National Greenway. It’s fairly flat and will be easy enough to manage with the wheelchair I think.” He stopped for a second to think. “There’s not a whole lot right by it, but we could stop at Snooze on our way north.”
“What’s Snooze?” It certainly sounded like a breakfast place, but she hadn’t heard of it before.
A Cheshire grin appeared on Kevin’s face. “What is Snooze? Only the best breakfast place on this side of the Mississippi. Man, you are in for a treat.”
It was almost four hours later and the four of them were walking on the small path on the north east side of Denver. Kevin was pushing Vance’s wheelchair while Elliot and Naya walked behind them.
Naya was glad she had suggested a walk, because after the delectable pancake flight she had just downed at Snooze, she could use it. But the pumpkin cream pancakes had been so worth how uncomfortably full she was feeling now.
They all walked together for a few hundred yards before Vance gave Naya a nod. She then began to walk slower and slower to create some distance while engaging Elliot in conversation.
“So, Elliot, why did you become an at home care nurse? Wait, is it okay that I call you a nurse? I just realized I don’t know if that term is gender neutral or not…”
Elliot laughed. “Yes, you can call me a nurse. They don’t have different terms for us.” He ran a hand through his hair, his mood changing. “Well, my sister had cystic fibrosis, and I spent most of my childhood caring for her. So, as an adult this came easily to me, so I just continued with what I was good at I guess.” He shrugged, watching as Vance and Kevin edged even further ahead.
“Don’t worry, Kevin has him.” Putting her hand on his arm to quell his nerves.
“I know. And I know I’ve only worked with him for a week, but Vance is great. I usually only have older patients. It’s so rare I get a patient that’s so easy and fun to hang out with. We mostly just play video games.”
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