Page 152 of Only With Me

She swallows, fighting back her emotions as if she’s saving them for what’s coming later.

“I’d like that.” She squeezes my hand. “But if Ellie asks, tell her I made you grovel.”

I laugh for the first time in days, because of course, she’d be the one to do it. “I dunno what that means, but I’ll say whatever you want.”

Later that evening after Mrs. Fanning and Delilah return, we get Harlow situated in a wheelchair. I can tell she’s trying hard not to complain about the discomfort, but I see it written all over her face.

Before they go to Mr. Fanning’s room, Delilah brushes Harlow’s hair and braids it for her. Then she covers her in a blanket from home so she has something comforting to hold while she sits next to his bedside.

I can’t even pretend this isn’t affecting me. Getting to be around him, even for that short period while we played board games, was an honor. It was obvious how much he loves and adores his family.

But I hate that he had to suffer in pain in order every day.

It’s not fair. None of this is for any of them.

But I’ll be here to support her and help her fight through the pain for the rest of our lives if she lets me.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Harlow says softly.

Her nurse pushes her wheelchair out of her room and then brings her to Mr. Fanning’s on a different floor.

I stand behind Delilah and her mom, keeping my distance so they have enough space around his bed.

“His doctor will be here in thirty minutes, but please feel free to take all the time you need,” the nurse says before shutting the door.

It’s silent for the first several minutes. Harlow holds his hand and stares at him while she quietly cries.

“Mom?” Harlow grabs her attention. “We should tell Daddy it’s okay to go. He needs us to say the words so he knows we’ll love him no matter what.”

Delilah breaks down and it’s impossible not to at this point.

Harlow goes first, choking through her words, but she eventually gets them out. Delilah goes next. Then, Mrs. Fanning.

And if it’s possible, I lose it even more after hearing his wife say goodbye to the man she’s been married to for thirty-three years.

“Waylon…” Harlow calls for me, and I quickly wipe my cheeks and kneel next to her. “You haveta tell him, too.”

Fuck me.

I nod, trying my best to get it together.

When I can finally speak, I step closer to his bedside.

“Thank you for sharing your family with me, sir. I promise to take care of ‘em for as long as I live.” I close my eyes, trying to breathe through the tears so I can say my final words. “You’re free to go, Mr. Fanning. I’ll take it from here.”

“That was beautiful, Waylon,” Mrs. Fanning says, pulling me in for a hug.

“It was,” Delilah says, patting my arm. “You’re a good man, Way-Way.”

I choke out a laugh at her trying to ease the tension.

“Dad woulda loved hearin’ you say that.” Harlow grabs my hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I mouth the words.

When their pastor arrives, he reads Bible verses and prays over Mr. Fanning. It’s a bittersweet experience, because while it’s sad as hell, there’s also something beautiful about being surrounded by your loved ones while you leave this earth.

And less than an hour later, he does.