“I’m sorry for ruining your childhood.” He coughs a fine mist of blood mixed with his saliva. Speckles of red quickly stain his cheeks and beard. “You didn’t.” I squeeze his hand and press down harder, willing him to stay alive, to stay with me. I feel the pressure from Blake doing the same. “I did. I know I did. But . . . I just.” He coughs again, even more blood coming out, this time thick enough to emerge as full drops. “I just wanted you to realize that even when it feels like the world has ended, yours doesn’t have to.”
