“I can’t lose her,” I choke out between sobs. “I really can’t. I don’t think I could deal with that, Layla. I’ve never lost anyone, never had to watch someone slowly die before me.” Layla rubs her hands up and down my back, whispering soothing words in my ear, but she doesn’t reassure me that I won’t lose her. If anything, the only definitive in this situation is that I will lose her. It may not be today—the treatment could prolong her life a few years—but one day. I just never thought it would be in such a painful manner.
