My 17-year-old son shaved his head for his sick girlfriend – The next day, his mother told me, "You have to come to the hospital to see what your son has done."
Diane and I pretended not to notice anything.
***
One day, Lily and Aaron were arguing about prom themes, talking about their study plans and weekend outings, and the next day she was spending her time in the hospital and treatment rooms. Most of the time, Lily sat in a care chair, with a catheter implanted in her chest.
It was devastating news for everyone, but especially for my son. I could see how much it hurt him to see someone he loved go through an ordeal he couldn't solve.
Yet he never strayed far from her.
One day, Lily and Aaron were arguing.
***
Aaron would visit his girlfriend whenever he could, bring her her favorite treats, help her with her homework, watch sucky movies with her, and spend hours and hours by her side until she fell asleep.
***
"Are you still going today?" I asked, even though I already knew it.
"She's having a tough week," my son replied as he closed his bag. "I told him I'd be there at four."
I nodded and had my coffee.
"Are you still going today?"
"Say hello to Diane. I texted her yesterday, and she barely replied," I told my son.
Aaron paused, just for a second.
"She's tired, Mom."
"I know, honey."
But I had noticed something.
***
For weeks, my best friend's answers had been more and more laconic. A thumbs up where there used to be a paragraph. A "k" where there used to be a phone call. I told myself that it was stress, chemo sessions and lack of sleep.
After all, grieving moms don't owe gossip to anyone.
"She barely answered me."
***
Aaron kissed the top of my head, which again had a brand new and pleasant effect on me, and then he grabbed his keys.
"Drive safely," I told him.
"As always."
I watched him from the window as he got into his old Civic.
The car started, and the house seemed quieter than it should have been. I realized that something had been brewing for a while now. But I didn't know what it was yet.
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