Swimming With The Sharks

He looks old enough to make decisions for himself, why would he need to fight to make decisions for himself?” Zotol asked.
Xolin wiped his eyes and explained. “Foster has suffered from a form of Leukemia since he was ten years old. He has been treated time and again and just when they thought they had it beat, the disease would return again and again. Foster didn’t want any more treatments, but just before his eighteenth birthday, his parents went to the courts and had the judge make them his medical guardian.”
“Okay. That seems reasonable if the man couldn’t make those choices for himself.” Zotol replied.
“He had cancer not a developmental disability, love. The thing is Foster was trying to get his rights back from the time he was eighteen but with the cancer and all the treatments it took a great deal of energy.”
“Energy he didn’t have.” Zotol stated in understanding.
Nodding, Xolin said, “At nineteen his cancer went into remission again and he was recovering from all the treatments. He finally went to the courts and filed to have his rights returned to him, but the judge denied him his request. A few years pass and a girl, Kelly something or other, he went to school with went to law school. One of the classes she was in started talking about Power of Attorneys. She brought up Foster’s case and the professor took an interest. He decided to use Foster’s case as an example and when he spoke to the class they all agreed they wanted to investigate what was going on. They did some digging and discovered that the judge who had awarded Foster’s parents the POA for all medical was a good friend of theirs.”
“And this was the same judge that denied his request for another hearing on the situation?” Zotol asked.
Again, Xolin nodded, “Yes. So anyway, the professor took what his class had put together to some of his that own a very renowned law office. They offered to take Foster’s case on pro bono, but when they contacted him, it seemed the cancer was back and his parents weren’t about to allow some lawyers talk to him. So Kelly offered to go and see the boy. It seemed the sensible thing to do and Foster’s parent’s knew they were friends. While she did that, the law firm sent someone to the courthouse and started working on getting the judge removed from Foster’s case. When Kelly came back with signed papers, the firm went fast forward and took care of everything. It took a bit of time, but they got the POA removed and not only that, but it seems that his parents hadn’t told him that when his grandfather had passed away he had left Foster and his parents a butt load of money. The judge not only ordered his portion to be transferred to him, but the judge also ordered compensation to Foster for their deception or whatever. So he’s pretty much set for life...however long that might be.”
“So he’s got his life back as he wanted and a nice little nest egg to help him move forward. What’s his plan when the chemotherapy is over? I mean I take it if the cancer’s back, that means his parents had him going through the treatments?” Zotol asked.
“Yeah, they did, but the second Foster became his own medical guardian, he immediately put a stop to all treatment. He said he was tired. He was sick of needles and all the invasive procedures he’s had to go through. He said he’s been fighting for over eighteen years and he’s just done. He is sick of being sick and ready for whatever comes next.” Xolin said remorsefully and started crying again.
Zotol held his mate, whispering softly words that made no sense. Xolin said through his tears. “The strength that man must have to fight for so long and the courage to know that his life is about to end at such a young age...oh Zotol, he is a remarkable man.”
Xolin cried harder trying to still talk, “A...and do...do you kn...know what he...what he says he’s....he’s going to do until his time comes?”
Zotol shook his head, tears in his own eyes from the pain he could feel coming from his lover. “No, baby, I don’t.”
“He...he’s going to go deep....deep sea fishing. He can’t...he can’t swim with the shar...sharks like he always dre...dreamed be...because all the chem....chemo treatments have left his lungs weak. So he wants to at...at least see some.” Xolin stammered and then cried some more.
Holding Xolin tight, Zotol thought about what his mate was saying. This Foster’s life story had broken his mate’s heart and Zotol could understand why, but it didn’t make things any better for Zotol. His mate should never feel such hurt. And as Xolin’s mate it was his responsibility to make things right and he knew just what to do.