You Can't Run Hope Davis (free ebook reader .txt) 📖

piles of clothes. She quickly picked them up and placed them in the hamper. There, now she was ready for company. She chuckled slightly at herself and headed back downstairs.

Kevin and Vance were talking in the living room and Naya didn’t want to interrupt, so she went into the kitchen where she was greeted with boxes of open Thai food. She quickly packaged everything up and placed it in the fridge. She was a bit annoyed no one had cleaned up, but she didn’t want to complain because at least Vance was eating something. Every time she looked at him, she felt like he was getting skinnier.

She grabbed a towel to wipe down the counter when she heard the doorbell ring. She would have to finish later.

They returned home much later that night than Naya had anticipated, it was almost midnight by the time they walked in the front door. It was her parents’ fault, they had wanted to spend as much time as possible with Vance, and she couldn’t really blame them, they were going to go back to La Junta in the morning. But they had made plans to come back in a few weeks and spend more time with Vance then.

Naya unlocked the door and Kevin wheeled Vance up the walk in his wheelchair. Vance had an apprehensive look on his face and Naya couldn’t tell if it was because he was thinking about if Kevin could spend the night or because of something else.

After she opened the door for them, Kevin wheeled Vance to the bathroom where he dropped him off and then folded the wheelchair against the wall. They both stood in the front hall quietly as they heard Vance brush his teeth.

“So –?” She asked quietly, a yawn sneaking through.

“He’s fine with it.”

“That makes it easy then.” She smiled at Kevin just as the bathroom door opened, and Vance shuffled out.

“Need a shoulder to lean on?” Naya offered, holding out her hand.

He shook his head. “I think I can manage to the bedroom, but thanks.” The two watched as Vance walked ever so slowly into his bedroom. Naya motioned her head to the stairs, hoping that Kevin would get the message.

Kevin nodded and went up the stairs two at a time, careful to hop over the top step. Naya shook her head. “Show off.” Kevin beamed and then moved away from the doorway, presumably to make his way over to the bed.

Naya knocked on her brother’s open door.

“It’s clearly open.” He grumbled from the bed. He hadn’t bothered to change his clothes.

“I know, but I was being respectful.” She motioned to what he was wearing. “You don’t want to switch into something more comfortable?”

He shook his head glumly. She moved towards him.

“What’s going on, you’re never like this.”

“Nothing.” He mumbled. “Some days it just hits harder than others I guess.”

Naya quietly sat on the bed and put her hand on his shoulder. They sat in silence for a few minutes, both contemplating his future.

It was Vance who finally broke the silence. “I told them yesterday when I went in for chemo that I wouldn’t be coming back.”

Naya turned and looked at what remained of her older brother. “But Vance, the doctor, he said your best chance—”

He held up his hand. “The chance was so slim in the first place Naya. And it’s not working. At all. And at this point it’s drained my savings, and now we are draining yours and I won’t stand for it. This is it Naya. Whatever happens now is what happens.”

Naya put her head in her hands, tears rising in her vision. “But Vance—” She tried to argue.

“No Naya. I’ve made my decision. You need to be able to live your life after I’m gone. I can’t steal your life when my destiny is set in stone.”

She reached her arms around Vance and rested her head on his shoulder. “How did I end up with the best older brother ever and I don’t even get to keep you.”

Vance smiled sadly. “That is definitely not what you would’ve said when I was twelve and intent on you being the butt of my practical jokes.”

It was Naya’s turn to smile sadly, tears were sneaking down her cheeks. “Yeah, and remember when mom said some day we would be best friends?”

He nodded, “Why did we wait so long?” He finished her sentence for her.

“I love you Vance.” Naya whispered.

“I love you too Naya. And I always will.” Vance continued to look down at his lap.

“Why do I feel like I’m saying my goodbye to you?” Naya realized suddenly. “You aren’t planning anything crazy right?”

Vance shook his head. “Besides stopping the chemo, no. I promise I’m not planning to off myself or anything like that. You’re stuck with me until the end.”

“Then why?”

He shrugged, clearly fighting back his own tears. “I just, I don’t know, something weird happened today. And I got the sudden notion that I should say my goodbyes.” He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“And mom and dad?”

“I talked to them this afternoon. I know they say they will be back in a few weeks. But Naya, I never thought I would be saying this at thirty-two years old, but I can feel it. My time is coming. And soon.”

Naya tried to brush away the tears that were flowing freely now, but it was no use. “I want to argue with you and tell you that you’re wrong. But I can’t.” The feelings she had been trying to hold back these past few weeks were finally starting to make sense.

“Because you can feel it too.” Vance whispered quietly.

She nodded. “I think I knew when I first moved in.”

They sat quietly for a few more moments just enjoying being