Camile
I’m back at the dive bar with Matthew when my phone buzzes, alerting me to a call. I glance at the caller ID and my heart stops. It"s Mark. I know why he"s calling before I pick up, but dread makes my fingers tremble when I answer.
I dash out the door and toward the curb, where I take the call.
“Mark?” My voice cracks when I say his name.
“It"s me. I need to see you.”
Finally.
Finally.“I’m in the hospital.” He sounds exhausted and broken, as if each word weighs a thousand tons.
Sadness overwhelms me like a tidal wave; I knew he was getting sicker by the day, but I ignored it, too selfish and prideful to force him to see me. But I can no longer deny the truth; he"s not calling for the reason I think, and he’s probably not going to get better. "What happened? Are you okay?"
“I
