Defying my expiration date

Three

BRAYLEIGH

I could not believe the fluke of meeting someone who could actually help me, without really looking. He was sweet, and handsome. Plus he seemed to really like Eirwen and I. I was excited to see what would happen next.

It took a week for his friend to get back to him. In this time, I was still staying in the hospital, and he was coming to see me everyday. We also had another date. He was charming and so kind. Most people treated me differently once they knew my experiation date, but Jesse still treated me like I was a normal girl. 

I wasn't sure anything would ever come of our friendship, there was quite an age gap, but it was nice to feel special for once.

It was around two in the morning. I had woken to feed Eirwen and was just putting him down again when a light tap on the door disturbed me. There stood Jesse, looking tired and a little sad.

"Hey, I was still working and saw your light on," he said. 

"Would you like to come in?" I stood back to him pass, and he went and sat on my bed.

"I just got this letter," he said, flapping a piece of slightly burnt paper around. "Its from my friend I told you about. He writes that it took a while to reply as he asked some friends of his," he skim read. "Wanted to make sure he had the right answer... One of his friends.. collecting data... I'm sorry Brayleigh," he took my hands in his putting the letter down on the bed. "The expiration dates still stand. There has not been one case of someone out living theirs that anyone knows of." 

My heart fell, this had been my hope, my last thred to hold onto. I fell asleep cuddled into Jesse's chest, properly crying my heart out. Overwhelmed by the knowledge that I had two years to live. That my son would outlive me. That my precious little boy would end up in an orphanage. That all my hope had died. I felt like I may as well give up now. Why prelong the enevitable.

When I woke the next morning, I was alone. A note next to me said Jesse had taken Eirwen for a walk around the hospital, and I should shower and relax. 

I went through the motions of getting up and getting ready, without really paying much attention. I was falling into a dark place of self pity. 

By the time Jesse returned Eirwen, I was packed and ready to leave. 

"Where are you going?" Asked Jesse, his voice a little panicked.

"I'm not sure yet. I have some friends. Maybe home. I need to find somewhere for Eirwen once I'm gone. I need to put my life in order, make plans. Be ready." I said as I picked up Eirwen and our bag. I stopped as I passed Jesse and kissed him on the cheek, "thank you.. for everything."

With that, I walked out of the room, letting the door shut behind me. Forget the age gap, or anything else, I knew I liked him too much, and I could not have a relationship with only two years to live. I could think of nothing more depressing.