“And Mom takes pictures of
everything. Even when I’m eating cereal.”
I felt my cheeks grow warm.
Ethan continued.
“You even kept my hospital bracelet from the night I threw up on your shoes.”
I tried to smile.
“That was a pretty memorable night.”
“Mom.”
“Sorry.”
He looked toward his father.
“Dad, you used to yell at football without worrying about whether it bothered me.”
Chris nodded slowly.
“And Mom used to shout at referees.”
“Bad referees,” I corrected.
“All referees, Mom.”
I laughed despite myself.
Then Ethan said something that made both of us fall silent.
“That’s why I picked football for my wish.”
Chris leaned closer.
“Why, Captain?”
Ethan looked at us.
“Because I wanted you to have fun with me.”
He paused.
“Not fun because of me. Fun with me.”
My eyes filled with tears.
He continued quietly.
“Everybody acts like everything has to be special now because I’m going to die.”
Neither of us moved.
