Page 47

You are my sunshine,

my only sunshine.

You make me happy,

when skies are grey.

You'll never know dear,

how much I love you.

Please don't take,

my sunshine,

away.

~You Are My Sunshine

Silence.

No. Not silence.

There was silence, but it was broken by my breathing.

My labored, gasping breathing.

Alto hung his head, holding my hand as he watched me.

Maybe this was it.

It scared me.

Scared me.

I didn't want to go.

I didn't want to leave him.

I still wanted to kiss him more.

I still wanted to hold him.

I wanted to love him.

Marry him.

Have children.

Grow old.

This couldn't be it.

We sat in silence.

There was nothing really we could say.

"Do you want the others here?"

I felt a tear leave me at the sound of Alto's voice.

Broken.

I didn't even have the energy to nod or shake my head.

He knew that.

He sighed and climbed onto the bed.

"Just me. Please. Just let me be here. It sounds selfish. But I...I...."

I smile up at him. I knew.

My brave Alto.

He had suffered so much.

I would let him show his weakness only to me.

"It's okay."

My voice is harsh. Grating.

It's whispered out but I know he can hear it.

"I love you Fayette." He leans forward, and gently places a soft kiss to my mouth.

I sigh at the contact.

Bask in his warmth.

"I..love you....to."

I'm barely able to get it out.

My eyes are heavy.

So heavy.

Heavy enough that I take in his face one last time before I close them.

His breath hitches.

Stops.

Stutters.

"Fayette?"

I can't talk.

I have no energy to move.

But I feel the bed shake.

Feel it shake as he cries.

My poor, brave Alto cries.

"Fayette."

Wetness. I feel wet drops on my face.

I can't open my eyes though.

So heavy.

They were so heavy.

My hearing fades out as I hear Alto's voice whisper over and over, "No, no, no, no. Don't take my sunshine away. No, no, no."