Emery [bxb]

177

There are moments in life that age you, force you to sober up and mature, whether you like it or not. Diagnosing my uncle with cancer is one such moment.

These days, it feels like there's so much death and darkness lurking around. But I wonder if this is just real life, and what I used to think was life when I was a carefree boy with a cocky, devil-may-care attitude was merely an illusion.

My uncle has always been a quiet man, and doesn't say much when I visit his bedside except for this singular question that throws me off guard.

"Brandon, what're you doing?"

Instinctively, I balk at the question. I have no idea. I throw myself into my work like this precisely so I don't have to answer such questions. Lately, however, it feels like I'm not sure of anything anymore. Except for one thing. There was only ever one constant in my life, one person I could depend on. He's all I have left from my old life.

I seek him out, finding him speaking to a nurse, press my forehead against his curls and let myself cry a few tears before I need to get back to work.