NoV: Okay, this be the one where Finny lives!

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Quote of the day: "Death is not the extinguishing of a light. It is the blowing out of a candle because dawn has come." –unknown

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"I don't know if you realize this, son, but your friend is very lucky to have come out of an accident like that and have only minor injuries," Dr. Michaels told me.

"I do realize it, sir," I assured him. "I saw it happen and I'm just relieved that he's alive."

The doctor nodded.

Phineas stirred and looked at us, sitting upright in bed. "Guess what," he said, widening his eyes.

I stared, dumbfounded. "What?"

With a particularly strange expression, he announced, "I am pregnant."

The doctor looked at me and said, "He's still a little out of it." He stood next to the bed, touching Finny's shoulder. "Phineas, you need to lie down."

"I know, I know, Keegan," Finny said, brushing the doctor off. "You socialists are all the same." He complied in lying down, against the doctor's political affiliations or not.

"Who is Keegan?" Dr. Michaels asked me.

I shrugged.

Phineas laughed. "Everyone knows who Keegan is," he said before drifting into sleep.

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The guys knocked and came in a few minutes later. I waved them forward.

Putting my hand gently on Finny's arm, I asked him, "Are you up for some visitors?"

He sighed and opened his eyes. "Okay," he said. The effects of the medication had begun to wear off and I could tell that he was in pain.

Brinker, Ollie and Leper stood silently next to the bed.

"Hey, Finny," Leper said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like a million dollars," Finny lied, propping himself up against a pillow.

"So, how long before you're up walking again?" Brinker asked.

Finny glanced at me briefly. "You kidding? I'd be up walking right now if they'd let me," he lied again. The truth was that he'd be on crutches for another two months for his foot. Then after another month of physical therapy, they might get him walking on his own again. But he was hopeful. So hopeful that it was both scary and inspiring.

"So, how are we gonna get home without a car?" Ollie wondered.

I hadn't thought of that. "Guess we'll have to take a cab."

The door abruptly burst open and in dashed a very disheveled version of Finny's mother. She immediately ran to her son's side, coming between him and the three guys on that side of the bed.

She took his hand and put it up to her face just as I had done after the wreck. "Oh, Finny!" she wept. "My poor baby!" She took in the sight of him, bandages, bruises and all. "Why do these things keep happening to you?" She threw herself over him, snaking her arms underneath his back to hug him.

"Mom, please," Finny protested, embarrassed. "I'm fine!"

"Oh, Finny," she cried. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. You're all I've got."

Finny's expression softened from embarrassed to compassionate. He put his hand on her back and patted her. "I know," he said.

Brinker, Leper, Ollie and I quietly left the room. I took a last glance at Finny and Adora in their embrace before I closed the door.

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Finny was released from the hospital an hour later. Adora had come in her minivan so we all had a ride home. Brinker sat up front with Adora and chatted with her the whole way. Leper and Ollie sat in the middle row, discussing everything from musical theatre to the Darwin awards.

I had the best seat of all, next to Finny in the very back. We held hands the whole way home.

Fin(ny)

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NoV: This is my particular favorite ending for two reasons: 1) Medicine has evolved and improved since the 1940s and therefore, Finny would be less likely to die from the surgery, no matter what philosophical meaning that may have held. 2) I love Finny and I want to write a fun new sequel to this story!

But, it's up to you! If you like this version best, click review and vote!