Rafe turned off the car and walked unenthused toward the club. He heard rambunctious music and excited voices coming from within. Climbing the handful of bamboo steps was one of the hardest things he had ever done. He couldn't rationalize spending the night out while the women he loved; his wife was lying in her bed getting one step closer to death with each passing minute. But as soon as he stepped threw the door it was like old times again.
"Rafe hey buddy long time no see." Gooze had saw him enter while peering threw the brown glass of his beer bottle.
"McCawley what's up the wife finally let you out of the house." Mike was the most insensitive creature on the face of the planet.
"She told to leave Mike. Damn guys it's not like I fell in a black whole or something you coulda come by anytime." Rafe shot back a little pissed off by his friend's rude comments.
"Take it easy Rafe we just haven't seen you in so long. Besides none of us wanted to bother Evelyn that pretty lady's got enough to deal with other then us idiots." Mike danced around his apology because that was the type of guy he was. A man, drinking, fighting, smoking and screwing a mans man.
"D-D-D don't be to m-m-m-mad Rafe none of us knew if ya wanted us at your house with Evelyn s-s-s-sick." Red's stutter was back again as he worried what his old training buddy would do about Mike's playful but arrogant comment.
"Danny!" Gooze faked over excitement in a lame attempt to lighten the mood
"Evelyn said you'd be here, I wasn't sure you actually would be." Danny stated looking at Rafe.
"How bout a round on the house on the count Rafe decided to join us today" The bartender a large Hawaiian man with tattoos on both arms began filling glasses with bourbon.
"So what were you guys talking about before I got here?" Annaly crossed her ballet dancer legs
"Nothing of importance." Sandra answered giving Evelyn a, you say an I'll kill you look.
"I'm more interested in how things are going with you and Danny." Evelyn's voice was overflowing with curiosity.
"I can honestly say he is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Listen to this poem he wrote me." Annaly fumbled in her purse for a minute before producing a neatly folded sheet of yellowing paper.
" I never knew something was missing
Until you came into my world
Then I knew I couldn't be complete
Until you were my girl
Then you said you loved me
Now I am whole
I pledge to you my heart
My life, my love my soul
Annaly you filled a void
I didn't realize was there
I only hope I made you whole
The same way you have me
I'll be here be waiting by your side
From now until eternity"
"It was so romantic we went for a picnic on the beach at sunset and he gave me this poem." She was starry-eyed at the memory and warmth swept over body.
"I hate to interrupt but my water just broke." Evelyn's eyes were so full of excitement.
"Oh my god okay Sandra you take her to the hospital, I'll go get Rafe and Danny." Annaly picked up her purse and darted out the door.
"You know Danny we've been friends all our lives but I never imagined we'd both be fathers to the same baby." Rafe was trashed, Danny was drunk and Mike, Gooze and Red weren't much better off. However they all became instantly sober when Annaly walked in.
"It's time." She shrieked
Rafe coughed on his drink while sputtering
"It's time?"
Danny's eyes grew wide and looked shock at Rafe
"It's time."
They could've gotten to the hospital faster if they flew. Which if given the option they would have.
Rafe and Danny soared threw the door
"Where's my wife?" Rafe hyperly asked Sandra
"You can't see her now Rafe, they won't even let my in and I work here." She answered looking away from him.
"What do you mean I can't see her I'm her husband?"
Before Sandra could respond a horrendous scream came for the operating room.
"She's having a hard time Rafe the cancer is making her hemorrhage." Sandra said gravely
"Can I see the baby?" Evelyn voice was so low she had to repeat herself twice before the doctor understood her.
A nurse handed her the small bundle and it looked at her with Danny's eyes. She could feel her life slipping from her. Her baby had been born, the reason she had fought to live had came. She could give up now, go peacefully. All the machines she was attached to would not save her and she realized this. And now that her child was okay she was willing to leave this painful world for a better place. A place beyond the clouds that Danny and Rafe soared in. A place were her cancer was gone.
"It's boy." The nurse told her.
"I know." Evelyn sniffled " Tell the two men outside I love them. Tell my husband I went happy and I'm so sorry I couldn't live for him. Nurse you'll do that for me won't you?" Tears came to her eyes and fell without control. "Please they've got to know these things. Tell Danny thank you."
The young nurse nodded to over come by emotion to get a word out. She had only been a nurse for 3 months none of her patients had ever died before and here this woman only 4 years older then her was telling her she knew she was going to die.
Evelyn kissed her son's head and whispered a soft goodbye.
"I will love you always, and I'll watch over you from heaven." The light began to fade and sounds all around her began to drop out. She gave in to death. At 4:36 P.M. September 28th 1942 Evelyn McCawley died.
The group stood as the nurse walked into the waiting room. She was obviously disturbed and you could here a pin drop as her tiny voice quivered
"Mr. McCawley your wife didn't make it. She wanted me to tell you she went happy and that she loved you and to thank Danny. Who's Danny?"
Danny raised his hand slowly as he rocked back and forth his squinty brown eyes fixed on the wall. Annaly wrapped her arms around his waste just so he would know she was there for him.
Rafe's legs gave way under him and he collapsed to the dirty tile floor.
"No god why?" He sobbed
"Mr. McCawley, please don't forget you son. He's a beautiful healthy little boy and he needs you."
"I have a son." Danny turned his head to Annaly and she smiled threw her tears.
"Do you have a name picked out yet sir?" The small r.n. inquired
" Daniel James Walker Junior." Rafe answered. When the girl looked at him strangely he added, "He's not my son."
Danny wondered outside the sun was setting and it reminded him of the night he took Evelyn for a slight at sunset. The very night his son was conceived. He stared at the sky silently.
"Danny do you need me?" Annaly's sweet sound came from behind him.
"I'd rather be alone Annaly." He answered mono tonely.
"Okay." She turned to go back into the hospital and then turned again "Captain Walker I love you. And I'll be right here if and when you need me." Then she went in.
Danny looked back at the sky and whispered
"Good bye Evelyn." as one lone tear hit the ground.
