His Soul to Take by C.M. Torrens Page B

thought that's why you went to all that trouble."
    He forced another smile before closing his eyes.
    Jerry took a seat on the edge of the bed and took Robert's hand in his. “Have you heard from your dad? I tried to call him, like you asked. No answer."
    Robert shook his head.
    "He's probably on his way. I'm sure he'll be here before surgery tomorrow,” Jerry said. “Oh, do I get to meet your new flame? Did I miss him?"
    The smile that lit up Robert's face made Simon melt. His eyes opened and blue eyes glowed with life.
    "You'd like him. He's quiet and sweet and has a great smile.... Perfect."
    They chatted a bit more before Robert fell asleep and Jerry left. It was as much of a goodbye as Robert could muster, weak as he was. Simon took Jerry's place on the edge of the bed and watched Robert sleep.
    Robert woke twice more. Each time Simon fought back panic expecting Robert to make his request. None came.
    Early the next morning Simon watched as the doctors began to prep him for surgery. He waited until they were alone before taking a seat on the edge of his bed. Robert twitched a weak smile.
    "I love you, Simon."
    Tears spilled down Simon's cheeks, each breath harder to take. “I love you too, Robert."
    The pain returned, ripping at his soul. He bent down and kissed Robert's lips, releasing his soul for him to take.
    Robert stroked his cheek and kissed the tears away. “It'll be okay. You'll see."
    "Don't—"
    "Shh,” Robert said, fingers pressing to Simon's lips.
    Simon let his protest die and took a deep breath. Forcing a smile, he stoked Robert's cheek and kissed him again. Simon tried to burn the taste of him into his mind forever. The memory of Robert had to last an eternity.
    He pulled away as the doctors returned and watched as the nurses pushed the bed down the hall.
    The crushing pain in his chest started to become unbearable. He bit back tears, not wanting to go through with the end, but knowing he had to. Robert's soul called to him, the vibration in his bones growing more intense with each passing minute. Still, he couldn't bear to move.
    An old man rushed off the elevator and hurried past him to Robert's room.
    "Oh God, I'm too late,” the man gasped.
    The old man spun to look at him. “Where is he?"
    Simon blinked with surprise and cleared his throat. “They just took him to surgery."
    "They just took him to surgery.” Jerry said behind him.
    Simon's heart fell. The brief hope that Robert wasn't the only one who could see him died.
    "Are you his...” The old man paused as if struggling for the right words. “His, uh, friend?"
    Jerry nodded. Robert had his father's features. The same bronze skin and jet black hair, the angles of his face and strong chin. Mr. Lasker was taller and broader, less the dancer's build of his son. The lines in his face were deep from stress and worry.
    "He called me,” Mr. Lasker said. “He sounded upset. I should have—” He stopped and cleared his throat. “He's my son. I should have let him talk. Told him to come home. I wasn't always... I could have done things different is all."
    Boiling emotion threatened to crash down around him, and Simon took a deep breath.
    "We all make mistakes,” Jerry said.
    Mr. Lasker and Jerry moved to the waiting area. Simon followed behind, watching the quiet moment between them. The two men who loved Robert in their own ways. He ached to be able to tell them something to ease their pain.
    Simon sat down a few chairs away from the pair waiting for the final call.
    "You know him well?” Mr. Lasker asked.
    "Yes.” Jerry's voice cracked just a bit and he cleared his throat.
    "Are you a dancer too?"
    "Yeah. We worked together."
    "And that's how you met him?” The bitterness in Mr. Lasker's tone unmistakable.
    Jerry ignored it and stared across the room. “We met at a dance audition for some musical I can't even remember now. He was in rough shape then. Staying at a homeless shelter."
    Shock rippled over Mr. Lasker's face, his mouth