This is meant for adults and none of these people exist. Got it, lol.
Sorry this has taken me so long.
The forth of July was coming, and I was planning a picnic for the two of us. I got the basket from the basement, and bought some good stuff to cook. I went to the wine store down the street and bought a bottle of champagne. I was going to make it special. It might have been Mitch's last Independence Day. When I told Mitch he was excited. He hadn't been on a picnic in years. I was surprised we hadn't done it earlier.
The forth came and I was in the kitchen. Mitch had been helping me with the potato salad as I finished frying the chicken. He eventually slipped into the living room and was watching sports with Dad. Mom was putting a basket together for her and Dad. Dad really liked Mitch. They had lots to talk about when it came to sports. I don't know if Dad knew about me and Mitch. I never asked and neither he nor Mom said anything.
We left for the park where the firecrackers were going to be displayed. It was down on the river, so we had a ways to walk. Mom and Dad took the car, even though we were going to the same place. Mom had promised they would not pick a spot anywhere near us. I knew she would though. I carried the basket and Mitch carried the blanket and other things we needed. I think he even brought a Frisbee to try and get me doing something athletic.
I have to admit I was a little nervous. This was going to be a very public date. There were probably going to be a lot of people there that we knew from the factory. I was not ashamed of my lover, but I was a little nervous for our health. I didn't want to get attacked. I knew I could hold my own, but I wasn't sure how delicate Mitch's condition made him.
We made it to the park and found a nice spot near the water. We laid out the blanket and set out the food. We were both very hungry, and were ready to eat. Mitch sat quietly as I fixed him a plate. He looked out at the water and looked lost in thought.
"Are you ok," I asked as I put his plate in front of him. He looked at me blankly and then smiled.
"I am fine. It is just so pretty here. Why don't we come here more often?"
"I don't know. It is pretty. Maybe in the fall we can go camping. We can look at all the pretty leaves as they change. I would also want to make love to you in a woodland setting. Perhaps near a stream or pond," I said matter-of-factly.
"Maybe," he said. He just smiled. He had stopped reminding me that he might not be here in the fall. He picked up his chicken and nibbled on it as he looked back out at the water. I sat and looked at the most beautiful sight around. My man was so beautiful that I could look at nothing else.
The fireworks started around nine in the evening. I lay on my side and Mitch lay back against me. We held hands, gasped and awed at the light show. I was in heaven and I never wanted it to end. Just as I thought this, the fireworks stopped. We gathered our things and were ready to leave. Mitch turned to me, and gave me a very strange look. His face looked blank and scared at the same time. He dropped the blanket and reached out to me. I dropped the basket and grabbed him before he hit the ground.
"Help," I screamed. "Help me! Someone, my friend is hurt." I screamed for help and held my lover to my chest. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw my father. He pulled me back and grabbed Mitch. He picked him up and carried him to the car. Mom was on a payphone calling the hospital. We all piled into the car and were on our way.
There were nurses at the door waiting with a stretcher. In no time at all, they had him in the ER. They asked what happened and everyone looked at me. I told them I didn't know. Mom held me as I sat in the waiting room. I didn't know anything. I couldn't contact his family and I didn't know if he was allergic to anything. I just sat helplessly in the waiting room, crying on my mom's shoulder. The doctor came directly to us and asked how we were related to Mitch.
"I am his brother," I answered quickly. "This is his mom," I said pointing to my mom. The doctor looked at us suspiciously, but shrugged and sat in a chair across from us.
"He is okay for now, but he is not very well. He has a tumor." My jaw dropped, and I grabbed my mom's hand. "It is a fairly large tumor in his brain. It has been there a while. I am afraid it is inoperable, but it has always been inoperable. I just don't see why he didn't already know about it." I stood up and wiped the tears from my face. The doctor and Mom stood up with me.
"He knows. Now, how long does he have. No, don't tell me. He doesn't want me to know. Can I see him?"
"I don't know?" The doctor looked down at his chart with a thoughtful look on his face. He looked back up at me, and half smiled. "Go ahead. Room nine at the end of the hall." He put his hand on my shoulder and looked in my eyes. "Go to him." He squeezed my arm and winked at me. I never found out, but I've always thought he was gay.
I found the room. Mom stayed outside and let me go in alone. Mitch was asleep. He had an IV and several monitors around him. I moved close to the bed and leaned over him. I kissed him on the cheek and then held his hand. I cried over my beautiful man.
Mitch had had a small episode and was back on his feet in a few days. I took him back to his apartment and stayed there with him. I tried to get him to stay at my home, but he said he didn't want to be any trouble. I stayed with him that night and the night after. I didn't let him do much. I took off from work to care for him. He would smile at me, but I knew he was sad. I had a taste of what was to come, and I was afraid.