Stewart was spitting up blood again when he got out of bed to wash up that morning.
Not wanting to frighten the kids, he asked Lorna and Carol to take them out to the neighborhood yground for a while.
When Cedric rke arrived, Stewart was propped up against his pillows, his face ashen and drawn.
"I told you not to rush back here, but you never listen!" Cedric snapped, striding over and letting his emergency kit thud hard onto the nightstand. "Stewart, were you a mule in yourst life? You''re not going to die from illness, you''ll die from sheer stubbornness!"
"Spare me the lecture. Just hook me up to the IV already," Stewart muttered.
Cedric shot him a re, but opened the kit and got to work. His hands moved with practiced efficiency as he inserted the needle, hung the IV bag, and adjusted the drip.
"I''m setting it slow," Cedric said, watching the fluid trickle down the line. "This stuff works, but too much will put a strain on your heart.”
Stewart closed his eyes, finally allowing himself to rx as the medication flowed into his veins. Hisbored, ragged breathing gradually eased.
Cedric sat nearby, keeping a close eye on him. In just over a month, Stewart had wasted away before his eyes.
"I heard from Lorna you went to visit the cemetery?" Cedric asked quietly.
Stewart kept his eyes shut, as if he''d fallen asleep.
"Don''t you y dead on me!" Cedric snapped, losing patience. "Stewart, are you really content with this? You''re only thirty-two! If you die now, you think you''ll rest easy even as a ghost?"
Stewart gave a faint, weary smile. "I''ve got a son and a daughter. That''s enough for me."
"That''s just you running away from your responsibilities. For God''s sake, think about your kids!"
"You don''t need to worry about that," Stewart rasped, opening his eyes to meet Cedric''s. "I''ll make sure everything''s in order before I go."
"Bull!" Cedric shot back angrily. "Life is long, Stewart. Sure, maybe you''ll fix things for now, but what aboutter?"
He paused, gathering steam. "Aren''t
you worried about those men out
there, seeing Briony raising two kids alone? Don''t you think there are scumbags who''ll try to take
advantage of her-swindle her out of everything you leave behind, maybe even worse?"
Stewart shook his head. "After everything Bryn''s been through, she won''t trust another man easily. I''m not worried."
Cedric stared at him in disbelief. "You almost sound proud of that!"
Stewart''s expression grew distant, guilt flickering across his pale features. "I hurt Bryn. I won''t deny it. I don''t expect her to forgive me."
Cedric let out a bitterugh. "Moved by your own words, huh?" He rubbed the back of his neck, realizing that appealing to Stewart''s feelings for Briony wasn''t going to work.
He thought for a moment, then tried a different angle. "What about Little Nina? She''s such a bright, beautiful girl. You know, a soft heart can run in the family. Briony got hers hurt because she loved too
ov
deeply aren''t you afraid Nina will
make the same mistakes? Or what if
she gets bullied by some punk?
Sure, fathers matter to sons, but for daughters, having a dad is
everything. A father is a girl''s greatest protector!"
"She''ll be fine, Stewart replied with quiet confidence. "She''s sharp. She knows how to weigh her options,
and Bryn''s raised her well. She''ll et
grow up smart and level-headed. If anything, you should be worried about your son-my girl has a thing for good-looking boys. If your son turns out handsome, she''ll break his heart."
Cedric was speechless, his frustration mounting.
He jumped to his feet and started pacing the room, unable to sit still any longer.
Suddenly, he spun around, nted a hand on his hip, and jabbed a finger at Stewart. "When you''re gone, don''t expect me to visit your grave. I''ll make sure you die penniless, you stubborn ass!"
A faint, fearless smile tugged at Stewart''s lips. "That''s alright. If I ever run out of cash, I''lle haunt you in your dreams and ask for a loan.”