After Hudson and Lance came back, they moved into a vi that Calliope had arranged to be cleaned up for them.


    On Sunday, Calliope dropped by their ce with her arms full of groceries and medicine.


    The two guys were out in the backyard, soaking up the sun. But after just a few days, Hudson already looked noticeably thinner. His skin was pale, and he just didn''t look like himself anymore. Calliope had never seen Hudson like this before. It was one thing to hear about him being sick, but actually seeing him like this made it painfully real. He was seriously sick.


    But maybe having Lance around helped, because Hudson still seemed to be in good spirits.


    "Hudson, I''m here!" Calliope called out, juggling her bags as she headed over, forcing a cheerful smile onto her face. She knew how important it was for cancer patients to stay positive. Thest thing she wanted was for Hudson to get anxious. If she could act like everything was under control, maybe he''d feel better too, and maybe Lance wouldn''t lose itpletely, either. He was already on edge, worrying about Hudson every minute.


    "Hey, you made it!" Hudson grinned at her. "What''s all that? You didn''t bring any weird herbal stuff, did you? I''m not taking anything that tastes like tree bark!"


    Calliopeughed. "Rx, Hudson. You know I wouldn''t let you suffer. I brought you some real food, not some mystery potion! I''m here to whip up a special meal that''s actually good for you, and it''ll taste amazing!"


    "My cooking skills are top notch, you know. Lance is helping me out in the kitchen today. He has no idea what he''s in for!" she teased, nudging Lance. "I''m a busy woman, so I''ve got to delegate some of the work."


    Hudson chuckled. "Lance? Cooking? That''ll be the day. Why don''t you just tell me what to do and I''ll handle it?"


    "No way!" Calliope shot back. "You''re the patient now, Hudson. It''s your turn to get pampered for a change. Besides, Lance needs to learn how to fend for himself!"


    Hudson smiled, a little wistful. "Yeah, I guess you''re right. After I''m gone, someone''s got to make sure he eats."


    The words hung in the air, heavy and raw.


    Lance''s eyes filled with tears.


    "Hudson, could you not be so


    morbid?" Calliope scolded, trying to lighten the mood. "Besides, Lance is a total heartthrob. He''ll have people lining up to cook for him!"


    She winked at Lance, trying to make himugh. It worked, sort of. They all


    chuckled, but there were still tears threatening to spill.


    "Alright, enough of that. Let''s get cooking!" Calliope announced, pping her hands. "I brought a free-range chicken. Tonight, we''re making chicken stew! Trust me, it''sfort food at its finest."


    She told Hudson to stay outside and enjoy the sun for a bit longer, then dragged Lance into the kitchen.


    "Hudson''s lost a lot of weight, hasn''t he?" Calliope whispered, concern etched on her face.


    Lance nodded, his brow furrowed.


    "Yeah. He hasn''t had much of an appetitetely. He''s got no energy to cook, and I''m pretty hopeless in the kitchen. He doesn''t like what I make, and takeout just doesn''t do it for him. It''s been tough."


    He looked at Calliope, eyes pleading. "Callie, you''re a great cook, right? Will you teach me? I want to take care of him. I want to help him get strong again."


    His voice cracked. "He always cooked for me before. Now it''s my turn..."