Into The Light

Oliver had been sick for a while. The two strokes he already had left him unable to have a life. Both affected him more than people realized. The genetic disorder he’d been diagnosed with being the reason behind the two strokes. He’d spent a month in the hospital after the second. It’d been less than two weeks after the first one by that point. He’d done far more research than most thought humanly possible. It was Oliver after all. If anyone was going to figure out how to have some semblance of a life after something like what Oliver had been through was Oliver himself. 

“I can’t imagine what you’re going through” Avery sighed
“I can’t do much some days. It’s hard at times” Oliver replied
“You got Disability though. That’s a good thing” Avery mentioned
“Is it? I’m housebound far more than before. Even more so since dad was put in the Care Facility” Oliver retorted 
“That is rough. Why don’t you-” Cameron began
“Reach out for help? Like I’ve not tried. I’m on my own aside from you two and a select few others. Everyone’s “busy” when they’re really unsure of how to help. I’ve seen it. Nearly everyone I know doesn’t even live close anyway. It’s not like I’m able to do much anyway” Oliver said while pulling himself up a little 

Avery and Cameron knew Oliver was right. People weren’t sure how to help him even though he’d been clear how people could. They didn’t want to see him so weak. They didn’t want to see him struggling. Oliver had seen it. He’d said it out loud. He’d been having his groceries delivered. He’d somehow managed to get around the house okay. For the most part. Avery and Cameron were two of the handful of people that checked in on him. Neither had met his mother. She died from an Aneurysm when he was in middle school. A few weeks after his thirteenth birthday. She’d left him letters in the event of her death. Letters that helped him through life as time went on. 

Both were proud of Oliver for putting his dad into the Care Facility. It wasn’t like there was any other choice. Oliver couldn’t care for himself much less his dad. Oliver hadn’t been willing to care for him anymore prior to the strokes anyway. Owen hadn’t been taking care of himself for a while. He’d not even listened to his Doctors. The trio knew Owen likely had Dementia. He was far more forgetful than he should be. Most didn’t see it. He was in the gray area where those closest to him saw it. Where he managed to seem okay aside from recent health issues. Comments Owen made on Social Media posts concerned others. People who confronted him asking if he was okay. The usual “I’m fine” response along with downplaying everything else. The Dementia diagnosis shocked everyone. Until Avery and Cameron shared what they saw. They were the ones that told Owen he didn’t have a choice but to go into the Care Facility. Everyone else agreed after visiting Owen. 

“I’m not surprised” Oliver said nonchalantly
“Why do you say that?” Avery asked 
“Not once did people believe me until you spoke out. Nobody was around him like I was. Like you two have been. They didn’t see what we do” Oliver replied
”Good point” Cameron mentioned
“Common sense really” Oliver scoffed
“Yeah, you’re right” Cameron sighed
“He’s facing the actions of his consequences. The lies, downplaying, everything he’d done toward me growing up. He’s laying in the bed he made” Oliver answered   

Oliver knew his time was running out. He’d gotten together with friends in Tampa and Orlando as much as he could. He hated that he, Avery, and Cameron had to travel to both places just to see his friends. It took his toll on him. He’d made the decision to just not see them. They weren’t willing to make an effort to see them. It was too much for him to travel. More than before. None of whom seemed to want to come see him. He’d made the decision to travel while he was able to. His decision to move to Colorado shocked everyone. Except for Avery and Cameron. They’d been friends with Oliver since middle school. They’d befriended him a few months after Maggie died. They’d set an example by becoming friends with Oliver. They’d seen how isolated Oliver had become after his mothers death. His recent seizures hadn’t helped. He’d kept to himself most of the time after a while because of how people treated him. They’d made sure he was okay. They’d helped Oliver plan his trip. They helped him become a Colorado resident. An essential part of the plan. They saw his decline more than anyone else. Few had come to visit Oliver. His decision to move was easier than he thought. He wanted parts of the country before he died. 

He lived in Colorado full time, happily with Cameron and Avery, for the next six months before his residency was approved. He applied for Assisted Suicide later that week. It shocked everyone that he'd do that. His explanation was simple. He was suffering. He didn’t have much of a life. He wasn’t able to do much. His genetic disorder was a progressively fatal one. He was going to die anyway. He didn’t care what anyone else thought. It wasn’t like they’d made an effort to help him after he got sick. Avery and Cameron had been the ones that helped. People that lived in his hometown had dropped by far less than before prior to the move to Colorado. They hated seeing him grow weaker. He’d still encouraged them to drop by. Only for them to say they would and not do so. He’d given up on everyone. He was far happier in Colorado. He’d made that known through Social Media posts. Avery and Cameron did the same. They’d seen a drastic change.

“I love it here. I’ve managed to get out more” Oliver smiled
“More energy. Literal breaths of fresh air helped” Avery replied 
“There’s more to do here” Cameron mentioned
“No shortage of that” Oliver laughed 
“Plenty of places to explore” Avery grinned
“Foodies paradise also” Cameron giggled
“Along with what we’re doing right now” Oliver replied as he took a hit from his bong
“Yeah, that too” Avery smiled
“It’s helped me function more. It’s helped me sleep better also. The fact I don’t need a medical card to get it helps also. I love that the most” Oliver said

Both had seen just how much Marijuana helped him. He’d been able to get his card while in Florida. He hated the high maintenance fees. It influenced his decision to move to Colorado. He wanted a change of scenery as well. He’d fallen in love with the area he was in over the last six months. The Wanderlust he experienced took its toll on him. Avery and Cameron knew it was time. They took him on a road trip. The next six months were nothing but the trio traveling around the country. Their remote jobs meant they could be anywhere and work. Their trip ended earlier than normal when Oliver had another stroke. Their Social Media posts saddened everyone. It also meant his time was fleeting. The trio had been in Atlanta when it happened. They had him on the next medical flight to Denver. He spent three weeks there before being released. Avery and Cameron planned the party in that time.

Everyone had come to the party knowing he’d die at some point during it. Everything had been swiftly done to make it happen. The process was taking longer than normal because of Oliver doing a little better than expected. The stroke had changed everything. His rapid decline was obvious to everyone. Medical Professional included. They’d signed off on the immediate approval so he could die peacefully. It was the party that everyone was looking forward to. A final goodbye to a friend whose life had been far from normal. A friend who made the best of a life that had been far too traumatic. He was happy everyone that was there came. People who had conversations with each other about what Oliver had said after moving to Colorado. Their biggest regret being they hadn’t been there for him. 

“This is a beautiful place” Henry mentioned 
“It really is” Oliver replied
“I can see why you chose it” Maggie laughed
“Yeah. And a few other reasons” Oliver smiled 
“I’ll be back, I have to pee” Oliver said

The party went late into the night. People had been sharing memories of things Oliver had done. Memories of his shenanigans. When he helped others. Everything in between. Julian had noticed Oliver was missing. That Avery and Cameron were also. He knew what was happening. If it hadn’t already. He wandered inside citing his need to “use the bathroom” when he was really going in to see if it had happened. It was Julian who regretted not helping more. He’d walked in to see Avery in the kitchen. The pair walked into Oliver's bedroom. Julian was surprised Oliver was still alive. He’d not drunk the drink yet. He’d been waiting for Julian knowing it wouldn’t take him long. They shared the bong by his bed before Julian laid down next to Oliver after he drank it in a few gulps. 

He’d been talking to him for the next few minutes letting Oliver know how much he meant to him before realizing he was gone. Avery and Cameron had been crying the entire time. It was Oakley that knocked on the door out of panic. Only to open it and see Julian and Oliver laying in bed. To see the trio crying. She cried with them. They gathered themselves before walking out the French doors. Everyone knew. Avery said it's what Oliver wanted. He wanted everyone to have a good time. That he heard them having a good time as he passed. Everyone wanted a wake then and there. Avery obliged by opening the French doors. To let everyone see a peaceful Oliver.