“This is it,” Dave said as we stopped in front of room 17. I wait for Dave to unlock it as Buddy leans against me. He helps me in with him, carefully lowering him onto the bed. I fix the pillows for him to lean against. He just nods that it's okay, before closing his eyes. I stand up and walk out with Dave.
“Which room is yours?” I asked, wanting to know if he would be close by, in case I needed him.
“I’ll just be in room 23 if you need anything Scarlett,” he said, reassuring me. I’m not sure why but I hugged him. I held him close to me as I sobbed. I felt Dave wrap his arms around me tightly.
“It’s okay Scarlett, he will be okay. I’ll make sure he gets through this,” he comforted me.
“Thank you Dave, so much,” I dried my eyes with my sleeve.
“Hey, how about one last smoke between the two of us?” he asked. I glanced in at Buddy asleep on the bed.
“Sounds good.” I followed him into his room. He turned on the stereo, turning the dial till he reached a Guns N Roses song, listening to Patience, I try not to crumble in front of Dave. He sat across from me on the bed, picking up an ashtray and lights up.
“It’s one of my funky smokes,” he says with a grin.
“Oh great, get me excited when my lover is comatose,” I giggle as I inhale. Dave smiled as he watched me.
“You’re going to get through this just fine Scarlett. I know you’ll miss him but I think life has great things in store for you,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“I think you’re going to be okay too Dave, I know Buddy is your best friend but you’re pretty cool on your own too,” I tell him. I know he’s going to miss Buddy when he leaves for college when they get back.
“Well I should get back to him,” I said, standing up and walking toward the door. I turn to Dave, standing behind me. He reaches for me and hugs me again. I believe he just needed a friend. I hug him back then turn to leave again.
“Scarlett, wait. Willem will kill me for telling you this but I think that you should know what's really going on, but I can't tell you too much, for your own protection. I can tell you that Will has chosen you. You will be forever his, no matter what happens now or in the next five years, ten years, but one day he will find you again. It is more than just destiny or fate, in our world, it is written in the stars,” he said, sounding so serious. He lifted my hand and gently kissed it. I didn't know how to respond. This isn't the first time I've heard about Will choosing me but I'm too tired to think any more on this tonight.
“Dave, why did you say I was a witch?” I asked him. He stared at me, shocked by my question.
“I'm sorry Scarlett, I didn't mean what I said. Just stress, I'm sorry,” he mumbled. I didn't believe him but I could tell he wished he could take it back.
“Goodnight Dave,” I said as I turned from him.
“Goodnight Scarlett,” he replied, watching me walk down the hall to my room. I slowly open the door and walk in. Buddy is still sleeping on the bed. I can hear him breathing, he sounds raspy, even painful. I walked over to him and leaned over his face, kissing his forehead.
“Scarlett, lay with me,” he whispers.
“I will, just let me get you comfortable,” I tell him as I undo his shoes and take them off. I carefully take off his socks. I reach for his jeans and unbuckle them.
“I’m going to slowly and gently take your jeans off okay?” I ask him.
“Absolutely,” he grins. I’m going to miss that grin so much. I unzip them slowly, inch by inch I remove them, dropping them to the floor. I unbutton his shirt, kissing his chest. Without too much movement I remove each arm from the sleeve. I stand at the end of the bed and remove my shorts, panties, tee shirt and bra. I stretch out beside him on the bed, resting my naked body against him. His eyes have been on me, burning into my flesh through all my movements. I know he can’t turn to me, so I carefully climb over him, my knees and elbows supporting my weight as I kiss him, drinking him in, all of him one last time.
In the morning I hear a knock at the door. It’s time to go. Buddy is still asleep, I kiss his cheek before getting out of bed. I wrap a robe around my body then answer the door.
“Hey, sleeping beauty it’s time to check out. Is Will okay?” he asks, grinning.
“He’s sleeping but he’s fine,” I inform him. “Can you give us about thirty minutes?”
“Yeah, I’m just going for coffee. Do you want anything?” he asks.
“No thanks,” I reply. I seem to have lost my appetite, knowing that I have to say goodbye in just a few short hours. I shut the door and try not to cry as I look over at Buddy attempting to sit up. I run over to him.
“Let me help you,” I offer as I wrap my arm around his shoulder. He looks into my eyes and I see his tears.
“Are you in pain, can I get you something?” I ask, wanting to comfort him so much.
“I’m in pain, but not from my ribs, it’s a deeper pain, more in my heart,” he
