The sob he must have been holding back all this time finally breaks free and he leans his forehead to my shoulder. His voice is broken. A man in agony.
He sobs helplessly, and I realize then...I don't remember a time where I saw him so broken and defeated.
"L-...Lucas..."
He rambles through his tears. "I should have tried harder. I should have been stronger. I should have found the words to prove it, but...but I..." He raises his head, meeting my eyes.
"I love you. Diane. I love you so much I can't take it. Please. Even if you don't love me back, I beg you...let me live in a world with you."
He sniffles. His face is red. His eyes are bloodshot.
It makes my heart ache.
All I want to do is cry.
He looks down at our clasped hands.
I stare at his face, searching for the lie, for the joke, for the trick, but all I see is his genuine despair.
"Can I have that much, Diane?"
