Fallen Grace

19

Miles was the star player on the school's hockey team. He was working toward a sports scholarship and he was working hard. Even though their parents had enough money to send him to a good college Miles wanted to get their on his own merits. That was something that Grace admired about her brother. His determination and his independence. There were going to be college scouts at the upcoming game and Miles was ecstatic. A week before the match he went to the doctor for a full body check up, he came back with the news about a tumor in his lung.
Grace couldnt believe what he had said when they sat at the dinner table that night. He had delivered the news so casually, like he had contracted the flu.

Grace had retreated into the bathroom. She cried so much that day that she didn't know if she had any tears left. She was sitting on the floor in of the bathroom,propped up against the door with her knees to her chest and her head in her hands.

Miles knocked on the door and spoke to her from the outside. He was so calm and Grace didn't understand how. She knew that her father was consoling her mother who was probably just as frantic as she was.

"Munch, come out here. Can we talk?",Miles asked from behind the door.

Grace tried to calm herself. Miles probably stood out the for at least a half hour before she came out. Her face was puffed up and red. Her vision was blurry and there were lines under her eyes.

She hugged him, tightly. Knowing that she was about to lose her brother. She never wanted to let him go.

"I can't breathe",Miles teased.

"That's not funny",Grace said through her tears.

"I'm not going anywhere right now munch, they're putting me on chemo so I'm going to spend as much time as I can with you. I promise",Miles touched her arm.

"I don't want to lose you,Miles", Grace whispered.

"You're never going to lose me,I'm always with you",Miles said as he brought his hand up and touched the pendant that hung around her neck.

The crescent moon gleamed like Grace's eyes. Miles couldn't keep his composure and he let a tear escape his eye. He immediately swept it away.

"This is over, you know that right?",Miles smiled. "This is just the beginning, munchie."