Page 113 of Something Like Forever

Corey laughed. “NotJason?”

“God no!” Tim said. “Iknow him too well. He’s trouble. Has been since day one. Only makesme love him more.”

“William sure keepshimself in shape,” Corey said innocently.

“You’vegot to in his line of work. He told me once that he—” Tim lookedover sharply. “You know they’re married, right?”

“So am I,” Corey saidpatiently. “Do you need me to explain how that worksagain?”

“No,” Tim spluttered, “butthey’re on their honeymoon!”

“I just want to make it amemorable one. Any idea if they’re boringly monogamous likeyou?”

“Afraidso,” Tim said. “I don’t think they’d be open to making an exceptioneither.”

Corey sighed. “What’swrong with you Texans? Get with the times! Live alittle!”

“Hey, I’m from Kansas,just like you!”

“Thenyou’ve forgotten your roots.” Corey smiled deviously. “It’s so hotdown there in the South. I pictured half-naked cowboys having tolick the sweat off each other, just to stay cool. Instead you keepyour shirts buttoned all the way to the top, just in case anyonecatches a glimpse of skin.”

“So nottrue!” Tim said. “I’ll make you a list of all the times I’ve beennaked in public—”

“Please do!”

“—andyou met Marcello. He makes you look like asaint.”

“I likehim,” Corey said, smile widening. “A lot.”

“I don’t want toknow.”

“I’m not saying we didanything with him!”

“Are yousaying you didn’t? Because I know he’s got a thing for Asian guys.Kioshi definitely caught his eye!” A nurse appeared at the end ofthe hall and spoke his name. “Saved by the bell. Let’s get thisover with.”

Japan was vastly differentfrom the United States in many ways, but this experience wasreminiscent of when his ankle had been severely sprained when hewas younger. The nurse took his vitals. Then the doctor came in,Corey explaining the situation and acting as mediator. Astethoscope was pressed to Tim’s chest as he breathed in and out.Then he was handed over to a technician so his chest could beX-rayed. He started feeling silly in the middle of this, becausesurely he had overreacted. A little blood in his spit after a run?So what! By the time he was in the exam room again and facing hisresults, he no longer felt as concerned. The doctor put the X-rayon the screen, and to his eye, it looked fine. The doctor pointedat different things as he spoke, but he didn’t sound upset. Then hepointed at one area in particular with his pen.

“Do yousee…” Corey swallowed and started over. “There’s a lighter area inyour right lung. Toward the bottom.”

Tim shrugged. “Okay.What’s that mean?”

Corey addressed the doctoragain, but not just to translate his question because theirconversation went back and forth, Corey looking paler the longerthis continued. Then he faced Tim.

“That spot in your lungisn’t normal. He refuses to give a diagnosis without further tests.He wants to know if you want to continue that here, or wait untilyou’re home again.”

“It canwait,” Tim said. “Can’t it?”

Corey pulled out hisphone. “I need to make sure of something.”

“What?”

“Medicalvocabulary is very specific. I don’t want to tell you the wrongthing.”

Tim waited impatiently,the calmness he had found slipping away. “Well?”

Corey looked up. “Thatspot in your lung, it’s a tumor.”

“Atumor?” Tim nearly shouted. “Like cancer?”