He told me that all he wanted was for me to be my own man. But all I ever wanted, all I still want, is to be like him. I want to tell him that I love him. I want to tell him just how much I love him. One last time. I mouth the words. His eyes soften and he mouths it back. His arms slacken. He grits his teeth and makes one final effort, gripping my shoulder. Courage, he adds. Still smiling. Then he lets go, the light gone from his eyes.
Dude. DUDE.
