“You may get several more years with immediate, aggressive treatment. Are you ready?”

Bill’s wife blubbered. He’d given her jewelry, vacations, homes, children, and a 401k from a dead-end job. Now she wept as tumors crept through his body.

“Yes, doctor!” she replied.

Finally reclaiming his life, Bill whispered, “No.”

Matt McHugh was born in suburban Pennsylvania, attended LaSalle University in Philadelphia, and after a few years as a Manhattanite, currently calls New Jersey home. Some of his work is available at mattmchugh.com.