The Boyz

“Ken,” she said putting a hand on his leg. “Baby, do you want something to eat?”

“No” Ken turned on his back look up at the ceiling. He looked weaker day by day to her now. She hoped it was not a sign that he was giving up. When they had last went to the doctor. They had told him that they still did not know what it was that was making him deteriorate so quickly. He had many test taken and sent to the lab but still refused to go to the hospital. It was as though he was aging daily. Patrice can remember the many nights he woke with chest pains but refused to go to the hospital or let her call an ambulance. He had a history of high blood pressure, sugar diabetes and high cholesterol. In the last week he had refused to eat what she had prepared and even stopped going to work, taking a leave of absence. She had called the doctor and given him his symptoms over the phone, but he said he was not able to do anything unless Ken came back into the office. The doctor said that is sounds like he may be going into depression on top of all the other things going on, but still that did not explain his chest pains and loss of appetite. The only thing she could do was keep him encouraged and be with him.

“Baby, maybe you should get up and move around a little, the doctor said you should get up, exercise more and try to eat something.” She stood and put her hands on her ample hips. She could use some exercise herself but at this point she was happy with herself having lost 51 pounds in the last year.

“Maybe you should exercise.” He said and gave her one of those lopsided smiles she loved so much.

“What?  You old crusty nickel.” she said as she went to the dresser to find him something clean to put on. “Don’t make me go to jail for betting an old man.”

Ken got up slowly off the bed approached her from behind and wrapped in arms around her waist. He began to rock her from side to side as if he were trying to dance with her. His arms were not as strong as they used to be, it seems her husband was wasting away right in front of her eyes. He twirled her a little more and took the clothes from her hands and sat down on the bed out of breath.

“You know your doctor’s appointment is next week and they will tell us what is wrong so you can be as good as new.” She said as she turned her back to pretend she was messing with the window, but she was actually hiding her tears. She prayed every day since the day for the last two weeks it wasn’t what she thought it was; cancer. Patrice had seen a lot of people in her family that waited too long to go to the doctor and died because of cancer.  But she didn’t believe God would give her this man made for her just to take him away. She had a thought “You know what, I am going to call your brother and Bubba…” and before she could get the words out of her mouth he was up in her face looking furious.

“I don’t want to hear those names come out of your mouth again.” He yelled into her face. Strength came from somewhere to force the anger out of Ken as he gripped her forearms. She was so shocked that she just stood there. Ken had never put his hands on her so it was not fear in her eyes but confusion of why her husband got so upset. She knew he would not hit her for any reason, but she knew he meant it. “I would rather die that have those two backstabbers near me. They only think about themselves and never anyone else or what I have been through. We were tight, but I guess times tell who your friends are. They can rot in hell for all I care.” He walked out of the room and left her standing there in disbelief.  She heard the bathroom door open and slam shut and the shower being turned on.

Patrice went to her desk and opened her laptop and went directly to email. He said for her not to speak their names but nothing about typing them. As she began to type, she made sure her intentions were very clear. She began by writing a small request to one of her friends who worked at a law firm and could find anyone, if they were still alive. She had not spoken with her friend in a long time but here it goes:

Dear Renita,

 I know it has been a while since you and I have talked face to face. What every our  differences may be I have a favor to ask you. To make it short and to the point, my  husband Ken may be dying and I have to find a couple of people who I feel need to know. The  names are as followed:

   Benard Smith aka  ‘Bubba’
   James Sandstone
   Ken Sandstone Jr.
   

 Any help you can give me will be much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you.

 Patrice Sandstone

She hit the send button and just stared at the blank screen. I hope she answers, she thought. She sat for few more minute; nothing. All of a sudden there is was a receipt that the email was received and read but still not response. She heard the bath room door open and immediately signed off.

Ken came back in the room and put his arms around her. “I am sorry for getting so upset.”

“I understand.” she said as she got up from the chair and guided him back to the bed. She sat beside him and held his hand. “I just want you to have all the support you need through this.”

“I have you and that’s all I need right now.” she tried to talk some sense into him but he cut her off. “Patrice I have tried.” That was all he said.

“Oh.” What! Oh is all you could come up with, Ms. Know It All she cursed herself in her mind for not coming up with something clever to say. “I didn’t know.”

“That’s why I want you to leave it alone.” He paused and made sure he had her undivided attention. Promise me that you will not pursue this.”

As she sat there and looked at her once strong husband wither away, she shook her head up and down to say that she understood. Then Patrice looked down and realized her legs were crossed at the ankle; “Bingo!” She did not have to lie.