Page 82 of Salvation
“Lo…ve her… Love… Hope … for both… of us...” He gasps and I can tell his time is short.
Through a throat that feels like a vise is squeezing it, I cry. Loud sobs leave my throat, and my heart feels as if it’s shattering within my chest. “Gabrial… oh, Gabrial. I’m sorry… I never wanted it to end like this… Never like this… I never wanted this for you… I’ll love her…
“And I love you, too… my brother…”
He looks at me and I can see the acceptance of what’s coming in his eyes. A slight light fills his eyes for a split second as he manages to sputter, “I love… you… too.. Always… loved… you…Luke… You… two… you… were… both… my… salvation…
“You… saved… me…
“It was always… always… going… to… be… you…
“Always… you…”
He gurgles, and the tears freely flow down my face, as I grip his hand with my uninjured one, and sobs wrack my shaking body…
* * *
The life is leavingmy body… every breath is a struggle now… but it doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s strangely peaceful.
I feel… serene.
Luke is looming over me with tears falling freely down his face, his large body shaking with heartbroken sobs. With the last breath in me, I whisper, “From… the… very… first… day… I… knew…it… would…be... you…” and I smile with love as the life leaves me.
