Would you walk last few miles with me?

I happened to know Bill Templin in 1998. He used to be a propane gas specialist and worked as manager of local company.
He had kidney cancel and had one kidney removed from his body in 1995. At time I met him he was recuperating from operation and could only take odd job a couple of hours a day.
I called him from time to time to fix my old gas appliances.
Through the work I knew he was honest and one of the few good men in Town.
When he came to work in late 1998 he mentioned that he had difficulties in paying the rent.
I did not care about his terminal illness and asked:
" Bill, how about work for me? I know that you can work only a few hours a day. But I am thinking if your wife would be interested in taking care of house keeping and receptionist to take care of guests. I will offer you free lodging and utilities plus $650.00 a month."

" That is a kind and generous offer. Let me talk to my wife and get her consent."
That deal were agreed and they moved in 1999.
We had developed very good relationship and friendship.
Unfortunately, our cooperation could only last for one year.

His cancer had recurred in 2000. The cancerous cell had spread other part of his body. He knew he could not expect a miracle. He called his old body named Duane L.

"Duane, I know this is hard. This time I don’t think I can make it through. Would you walk the last few miles with me. I don’t have money to hire extra nurse. You are the only friend I can count on. Would you promise to help Diane?"

" You bet! "

For the last few days, I saw Duane quitted his part time job. He was always there when Bill needed him to carry him to the car and sent with his car to the hospital.

Bill's mother took flight to spend last few days with him.

Bill was good man. He even offered to pay his mother's lodging while staying in motel. I told him that was least thing he had to worry.

It was too bad that he could not pass the five.
He told me that cancer patient survival rate after 5 years is greater.
I was in deep sorrow when he told me about this.
"Bill, what a beautiful life you can expect when you walk the last miles having mother and wife with you. Best of all, you even have Duane spend his precious time with you."

" Yes, I know....." tears in his eyes.
Yes, told myself. I would feel no regret in my life if I have such a good friend.

Michael