HER

𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 51

♪Birthday Cake by Dylan Conrique♪

                                      Rᴏxʏ

Yes, I'm still alive bitches.

Barely.

"Do you want me to come get you out baby?" Troy questioned, from behind the bathroom door.

"Ima stay in a bit longer." I answered, and I heard him walk away again.

I lied my head down against the tub, as I allowed the warm water to embrace my fragile  body. I inhaled the smoke from the cigarette in my hand and I could feel myself feeling at ease. I held my left arm to analyze my disappearing cuts and blew the remaining smoke into the air.

With each passing day I became more tired and weary. I wasn't looking like myself either. I looked much older in the face. I was thinner and of no use.

I took my last puff of the cigarette, then put it out.

"Troy." I called out with a scratchy throat and he came in immediately helping me out from the bathtub and wrapping me in a towel before picking me up and taking me to the bedroom.

He had already placed my clothes and cream on the bed neatly, along with a hair brush.

"Thank you baby." I said sweetly and he kissed me on the lips in response, before applying cream to my back, and the rest of my body. He dressed me up and brushed my hair then let me lie down.

"Where's the birthday girl?" I asked him, referring to Lucy and he smiled before responding. "She's still asleep."

"Strange." I admitted and he shrugged his shoulders.

Suddenly the bedroom door sprung open and in ran Lucy and mini Roxy with a wagging tail.

I still didn't understand why Troy decided to name the puppy after me. It confused me now and then.

"Guess who's six? Guess who's six years old today!" She questioned, exclaiming joyfully, jumping onto the bed.

I giggled. "You are." I answered, hugging her tightly.

She smiled widely and bit her bottom lip in anticipation.

"Troy, will you please hand me that box on the dresser?" I asked politely, referring to a small pink glittery box. Lucy's eyes went big at the sight of it. "Is it for me?! Is it for me?!"

Troy handed me the box and I placed it on her. "Why don't you open it up and see for yourself?"

She let out an excited little giggle then opened the box up. Her mouth hung open at the surprise inside. She gasped. "Wow! Finally!" She exclaimed, and Roxy licked her face, her tail still wagging.

Troy and I let out a little laugh. It was good to see her happy.

"Where'd you get it from?" She asked me referring to the ruby tiara.

"A princess came to me and said that she knew how long you've been wanting one and she said I should give it to you on your birthday. From one princess to another." I explained, placing the tiara on top of her head.

She smiled brightly and hugged me again. "I love you." She said, then added. "I don't know what I'd ever do without you."

I love you too baby. I love you too.

"Hey, what about me?" Troy teased and Lucy got up from the bed to hug him too.

"Why don't you go get yourself ready for your birthday party Lucy? Your friends will be showing up soon." I told her and she nodded before leaving the room.

I wish mom were here to see Lucy and how big and mature she had became. Despite everything, I knew mom had loved her and cared about her.

"I'm going to finish off the party decorations and the snacks. Let me know if you need anything." Troy said, kissing me before leaving the room.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I admit, was afraid. My mind boggled with what ifs. What would happen after I died? Why did I have to die? I didn't want to die. Not yet. But I couldn't fight the cancer anymore, I was too weak, so I just lied there.

➪

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday sweet Lucy, happy birthday to you." Everyone sang including Lucy herself, then she closed her eyes, whispering a wish then blew the candles out on her strawberry shortcake birthday cake.

"What you wish for?" Troy asked her and she looked at me with a small smile. "For more days like this one." She answered sweetly and I smiled at her response.

Everyone danced and played games, ate snacks and continued to have a good time.

I paid close attention to Lucy the entire time, watching her jump around on the jumping castle with her friends in her bright pink party dress. A fairy painted on her face, and glitter in her hair. I prayed I'd never forget this moment. Seeing her this happy made my heart whole.

Jake never showed up and I knew she wanted him too but I think at the same time, she wasn't as bothered about it. She had everything she needed in this moment.

"What are you writing?" Troy asked, running his fingers through my hair.

"Nothing much." I said, closing the journal, I had started learning to write in.

"Okay baby." He said, leaving me again to assist Lucy and her friends by pouring them juice into pink Disney princess plastic cups.

I spotted papi and he smiled at me, walking up to me. "You're glowing!" He said enthusiastically and I knew he was lying to make me feel good about myself. I looked awful if anything. "I need help to my bed please. My head hurts a bit." I said and he pushed me in my wheelchair towards the bedroom.

He helped me up onto the bed and covered me with a blanket. "Are you okay?" He asked and I shook my head. "I can't breathe." I said, but I could barely hear the words come out my mouth. My vision blurred and then everything went completely dark.

"Roxy!" Is the last thing I heard.

➪

                                       Tʀᴏʏ

Today would be the day. The day I'll ponder over for the rest of my life. Today would be the day I'd mourn forever. She was fading like a setting sun. Soon she'd be gone but the sun won't ever rise again in my world. How could life ever be the same again with her not living, breathing and laughing. What would the morning be like without dawn? What would I be without her?