A Negative Prognosis

"I'm sorry," the doctor said simply. Elizabeth's eyes welled with tears. Jamaal screamed, angry at his fate. He'd never walk again. The doctor excused himself.

"I ... want you to go be with D-Train," Jamaal said, his head in his hands.

"I won't leave you, Jamaal, you saved my life," Elizabeth protested.

"Don't you understand? Every time I see you, I'm going to see a life I almost had until I didn't. Kids I could have made, but won't. Success that was within my reach. If you stay here with me ... I'd die seeing that every day." His chest was heaving. "I want you to go be with D-Train."

"Jamaal ... he's ... he's a thug," Elizabeth offered up weakly.

"That's my crew, Elizabeth. You knew what you were getting into. Now please ... let me be. Please."