The morning light crept in, a hesitant whisper, like a secret shared among the shadows. I reached for my phone, the screen glowing with an otherworldly light. Drew’s text materialized, a brief, guarded update, each word precision-crafted to conceal the truth.
“Doc’s appointment today. Parents are coming. Next time, you’re invited.”
The brevity stung—a razor-sharp contrast to our usual effortless banter. His words hid behind a mask of calm, but I sensed the turmoil brewing beneath. My heart quickened, a drumbeat in my chest, as I deciphered the subtext. Treatment. Chemo. The unspoken horrors lurking in the wings.
I hesitated, thumbs hovering over the keyboard, searching for the right words. Something, anything, to bridge the gap between us.
“Hey. You’re not alone. Soon, I’ll be there.”
