by Patti Morgan

Created on: November 11, 2008

Little did I know that this sunny Saturday in August would be the last one spent with my best friend. Her cancer was ravenous when it first was discovered. Days and nights spent going through emotions that we both weren't ready for. Driving to appointments, hours in waiting rooms and sitting beside Ava, holding her frail hand, while she went through rounds of chemo.

"Let's go to the lake today and have a picnic," I said to her that lazy Saturday morning.

"It would be lovely, wouldn't it. It looks so sunny out there, so warm," she said sheilding her eyes as I pulled the curtain back just a sliver.

"It certainly does look nice. Now don't go anywhere while I go and get a coffee, then we'll read the paper together, o.k?" I joked and patted her hand. She hadn't been out of bed for the last three days. The doctor said that when she was ready to go into hospice, to let him know, but she wanted to stay at home as long as possible and he wasn't going to force her before she was ready.

"Bill?" Ava's frail voice croaked form the livingroom. Our sons had moved a hospital bed into the livingroom last week. Even though Ava was sick and dying, she didn't want to miss a thing and insisted we go on about our lives, with her in the middle as usual. It was very quiet, as the boys had both gone home to their families for the weekend. They didn't want to leave their mother, but she insisted that they go home and take care of their own. I smiled at her courage and hurried back into the room.

"Did my queen call?" I asked as I entered. I blinked twice and almost dropped the tray of coffee and newspapers on the floor. Ava, barely able to stand, was leaning against the side of her bed. Her houseshoes were on, as well as her favourite knitted sweater.

"What's this my love? I asked concerned.

"Well I was thinking, it is such a lovely day out and..." she stopped as a single tear slid down her cheek. "And the lake sounds like a wonderful place to be today."

I helped her out to the car and got her comfortable in the front seat before dashing back in to get my keys and wallet. I felt like a teenager on a first date as I fumbled in my pockets, making sure I had my cell phone just in case. As I got into the drivers seat I reached across and took her hand, which closed tightly over mine. "Are you sure my darling?"

"Yes, definatly sure. Now hurry Bill, before I get too tired to enjoy it," she said smiling.

I stopped at a deli a few blocks from our house and grabbed some fresh baked buns, hickory smoked

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>