"A knight?  I thought those were only medieval times," Jake said, now confused about his lessons in class.  "Do I get a sword?  And how do you know the Queen?"  He would love to be a knight.  Maybe he could have a horse and everything.  He knew he didn't have much time, but being a knight would be cool, even for the short amount of time he had left.

~~~~~

"Make sure you say your last goodbyes.  We don't think he'll make it to tomorrow morning," the doctor informed Alicia just outside Jake's hospital door.  It had been about three weeks since Juliette came over and offered them the space heater.  Jake was fighting as hard as he could, but in the end the illness was too strong.

Alicia put her hand over her mouth and nodded.  No tears came, she had been preparing for this for a long time.  She thanked the doctor and reentered the room.

Jake lied on the hospital bed, fast asleep.  His slumber had lasted almost twenty-four hours and it killed her not being able to share final words.  She felt she said all she needed to say to him, but still wanted to hear him one more time.  He was so frail-looking and thin.  It broke her heart to see her brother in so much pain.  "Don't worry Jake," she muttered softly, smoothing down his hair, "It won't hurt much longer, okay?"