Be My Life Jacket

“Tell me.” I begged after everyone had left.

Landon let out a shaky breath. “Alright.” He started, taking another deep breath. “I’m a woman. I had surgery to make me look like a man because everyone made fun of my manly voice and features.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Landon, this isn’t a joking matter!” I interjected, going to sit at the foot of his bed.

“Sorry if I want to spend my last days laughing rather than wallowing in self pity.” He scoffed, then slapped a hand over his mouth, probably realizing what he just said.

“Last days?” I gasped. “Landon, what’s going on?”

“Mick, this is why I wanted to break up with you, just disappear before I made an impression.” He explained. “I- I have brain cancer.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You’re lying. This is all some kind of sick joke.” I tried desperately.

“Micky.” He whispered, motioning for me to come closer, to set next to him. So I did.

It was hard to sit there with Landon, knowing I wouldn’t have him forever. I knew we had limited time together. I knew we could never be a normal couple. But I didn’t care. I slid down next to him, my chest against his back. I snaked an arm around his waist, grabbing his hand. I interlocked our fingers and gave his hand a tight squeeze. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, but I know how nice it felt.

“What are you thinking?” He asked, voice sending vibrations though my body.

“That I’m in love with a boy who has brain cancer. And that I’m going to love him until he takes his last breath or maybe longer.”

“What a lucky boy.” He remarked. “But I think he’d want you to move on and not be hung up on him.”

“Not as easy as it sounds.” I told him, kissing his cheek.

“Hey! No fair.” He whined. “I want to kiss you.”

“You already did.” I chuckled.

“Hey Micky.”

“Since when do you call me that?” I asked.

“Since I thought it was cute, like you.” He explained. “But guess what.”

“What?” I asked.

“I love you.”

“I know.”

I smiled. A genuine smile. I couldn’t help it. It felt wrong to smile, considering the circumstances. But with Landon’s warm body so close to mine and his fingers filling the normally empty spaces between my own, I felt this warm feeling spreading through me. A feeling that didn’t compare to anything I’d felt before. I felt like I could take on the world, do anything I wanted now that I’d acquired this intangible thing.

Love.