Chapter 8
To:
Episode Five (Part One)
[The Farewell of Life and Death is a Lesson We Never Master]
“Elowen, are you serious? This guy is your “lover‘?” Doris‘ voice rang out with its usual piercing clarity, cutting through the air like a knife.”
I gave her a quick shush, directing my gaze at the camera. “Can you lower your voice a bit? Let me introduce Jerome Hawke, my childhood buddy–what you folks might call a ‘childhood sweetheart. We grew up so close.“}
Feeling a bit guilty, I added, “So, about my illness, besides the doctor, Jerome’s the only one I’ve told. I feel guilty–he has his own life, but now he’s constantly worrying about me. He remembers my chemo schedule better than I do.“}
asked.
Doris, getting the hang of interviewing, asked, “So, Mr. Hawke, how did you end up agreeing to be the ‘lover‘?“}
Jerome frowned at the camera. “When she told me she had cancer, how could I possibly say no?“}
“And, uh, was the ‘caught in the act‘ scene dramatic?“}
“My eyes are still black and blue,” Jerome pointed at the camera. “Quinn, I didn’t fight back, but we can settle it another time. It’s not like I’m afraid of you.“}
“Men and their strange comeness,” I muttered, exasperated. “So, are we going or what?”
ཇ་ཧ་
Jerome’s demeanor softened immediately. “I’ll grab the wheelchair. Wait here.“>
He returned with the wheelchair, a cozy blanket draped over it.
“Seriously, I can walk. You don’t need to push me.”
This was one of Jerome’s unused vacation homes.
“Shut up and get in.“}
I obediently settled into the chair, pulling the blanket over myself.”
“I’m just going for chemo, not to my execution. Lighten up, Mr. Hawke.”
Jerome managed a smile, though it was less than convincing.”
I didn’t include the hospital trip in the footage. The camera cut from me getting into the car to me getting out.
The only difference was my face–paler and more exhausted.
Back at Jerome’s place, I told him, “I’ve made a list of friends I want to invite for dinner. It’s sort of a farewell.”}
Over two days, I hosted two dinner parties for my friends.
After each meal, I’d stand by the door and say a proper goodbye.
Some of them joked, “So you and Jerome are officially a thing now? Is this a coming–out dinner?“}
True friends–overlooking the whole ‘affair‘ thing and accepting me without question.
I laughed it off, “Who knows? Let’s see where life takes us.”
In the end, I said heartfelt goodbyes to everyone.”
“Goodbye.“%
See you in another life.
Episode Five (Part Two) Doris‘ Perspective>>
[The Farewell of Life and Death is a Lesson We Never Master]
This episode doesn’t feature the main character you’ve come to care for. Instead, I’m the narrator.”
I’m Doris, a Wishlist Blogger, fulfilling random wishes for strangers.
Elowen was my seventh video subject.}
At the end of this video, I’ll show you the street interview that started it all, to satisfy your curiosity about why Elowen reached out to a stranger like me to create her ‘A Walk Down Memory Lane‘ video.
First, let me tell you about the aftermath of the first four videos.
Elowen initially asked for seven videos. I got greedy because I liked her so much, splitting many into two parts.
Like you, I wanted to see more of her.
Chapter 8
You have no idea how hard editing these was for me, crying until I could hardly breathe.
But I’m also lucky. Without that interview, she might have just disappeared somewhere unknown, only to be found when it was too late.
She wanted to share something with the world, and I think she felt sorry for me–a struggling video blogger.
Even near death, she was so kind. But I wish these videos never needed to exist.
Alas, it was all a fleeting dream.
I distributed her gifts, and being Elowen’s fans, everyone was respectful, snapping photos with their gifts to show us what she’d prepared.”
To clarify, she picked and wrapped all these gifts herself. I didn’t help.”
Then, I met the man I expected to see–Quinn.
This big guy broke down in front of me like a child.
I knew Elowen wouldn’t want her loved one seen this way, so I blurred Mr. Ashford’s face.
“Elowen told me to tell you not to cry if you came to me.“}
“Does she know how cruel that is?”
“She also said if you cursed her, I should curse back.” I opened my mouth but only said, “Quinn, it’s too late. You were always busy with work and didn’t even notice my hair falling out.“}
He was clearly devastated, only managing to say, “It’s my fault. But why didn’t she tell me?“}
I shook my head, “She left messages for you. As for why, I guess she truly cared for you too much to see you hurt.“}
“Where is she buried?“>
“I can give you the address, but are you sure you want to go?”
“What do you mean?“}
“Mr. Ashford, you have a new life now,” I advised. “Why dwell on this?”
“I regret it,” he admitted with a bitter smile. “I love her and can’t get over her.“}
“You’re not what I expected. You claim you can’t forget Elowen, yet you started a new relationship? It’s not fair to your current girlfriend.“}
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He looked defeated. “We broke up. But Elowen didn’t give me a chance to win her back.“}
Death offers no second chances.
“Maybe she kept it from you to avoid this exact scenario.“}]
Next, Jerome came to see me.}
He looked worn out, sitting across from me, and asked, “Do you know why I’m
I was puzzled, “I have no idea. You knew everything about Elowen.“>
He shook his head, speaking into the camera, “I knew about her, but she didn’t know about me.“}
He continued, “I agreed to pretend to be her lover because… well, I love her.“}
“Well, it’s not like she can hear me now, so I can say whatever I want. I never dared to confess while she was alive because I knew her heart belonged to someone else.“}
“But now, I’m confessing because I don’t want to have any regrets. At least in her final chapter, I was a part of her story.“>
“Dear Elowen, in the next life, how about you find me? Honestly, being with me wouldn’t be so bad.“”
