When Georgi handed Mark the notebook, he looked like he was getting worse. His skin was hot to the touch and he was shaking so badly that he couldn’t hold the pen.
“I’ll write the letter, if you’d like,” she said.
He tried to smile and nodded.
Georgi took down the names and addresses of a few of his family members as he struggled and failed to sit up.
She had no idea when that would be, but she felt determined to try.
“Tell… what happened to us,” he said between labored breaths. “Tell… them… we love them. And we will see them… in the next life.”
Georgi could feel tears welling up into her eyes as she scribbled his words into her journal. She didn’t really want to do it. She didn’t want it to be real.
He reached out and grabbed her arm when she was done. “Thank you....” He smiled, laid back and closed his eyes.
Randy was at the edge of the clearing putting out traps. He looked up from his task as Georgi walked up.
“Randy, when Mr. Somerset turns, please, please, take him away from camp to-to...you know,” she said. “I don't want Alex to see.
“Fine,” he said. He went back to setting out the traps.
Georgi went back to make Mark as comfortable as possible. She knew it wouldn’t be long. Knowing it might be his last meal, she went all out on supper. It was a veritable feast. They had campfire baked potatoes, vegetable soup, fried ham and a skillet cookies. Rosemarie did her best to feed him a little bit of everything, but he couldn't keep it down.
As the night approached, they said their goodnights, knowing it was probably good bye.
Georgi pulled the blanket up around him. “See you in the morning.”
He looked up at her and smiled faintly.
Rosemarie was sobbing as they climbed into the treehouse and pulled up the stairs.
“You did what you could,” Georgi said.
“It isn’t enough,” she sobbed, clutching Murphy to her.
“Momma, is Rosemarie crying because Mr. Somerset is sick?” Alex whispered.
“Yeah, baby.”
“Did you give him medicine?” she asked.
“We don't have the kind of medicine he needs,” her mother said.
“Daddy could take him to the doctor tomorrow,” she said, leaning back on her pallet.
“We'll see tomorrow,” Georgi said, tucking the little girl in. “Get some rest, sweetie. We have a lot to do tomorrow.” Georgi handed her a stuffed bunny.
Georgi lay listening to the sounds of the night. The owls were hooting and the leaves were rustling in a slight breeze. Mark groaned as he turned over in his sleep.
Then, all was quiet.
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