March, 18th, 1989, It's been two weeks since I made my promise to Dale that I'd try to be better. It hasn't been easy, but I'm finding it a little easier each and every day. I went and saw the doctor yesterday, and he told me that he miscalculated my leg being broken and said that it should be fine to remove the cast and use a cane to walk around. That was a relief. My wrist still bothers me from time to time but it's getting better. Dale's breathing I've noticed is getting worse, he said he'd give up smoking but I doubt he has or will willingly. I wi-
"Chip?"- Dale said as he tapped Chip's shoulder.
"Yes, Dale?" - Chip said as he set his pen on his desk and turned to Dale.
"I'm having trouble breathing." - Dale said in a raspy voice as he coughed.
Chip got up from his desk and listened to Dale's chest to hear his breathing.
"It's those damn cigarettes Dale. You said you were going to give them up!" - Chip said in frustration while making his hand into a fist.
"I'm sorry Chip, I'm trying to, it's just difficult." - Dale said in defeat.
"Well come on, we need to get you to a doctor." - Chip said, grabbing Dale's hand.
Chip was then greeted by Gadget in the living room.
"Oh hey Chip, where are you guys going?" - Gadget said.
"We need to get Dale to the hospital, he's having trouble breathing." - Chip explained.
Gadget then looked at Dale who looked scared as his breathing was wheezing heavily.
"Golly, you're right Chip. Lets go." - Gadget said as she ran out and started the plane.
The Rangers' then flew over to the hospital and were greeted by Dr. Moleson.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you back so soon Mr. Oakley." - Dr. Moleson said.
"It's not for me doc, it's my brother. He's having trouble breathing." - Chip explained.
"Well let me take a look, bring him into that doctors office right there." - Dr. Moleson pointed to the vacant room.
Chip lead Dale into the room with Gadget. Dale then sat on the bed.
"Ok, so what seems to be the problem here?" - Dr. Moleson asked.
"Its my breathing doctor, I've been having difficulty breathing now for the past few days." - Dale explained.
"Well there's many things that could've caused it. Do you smoke?" - Dr. Moleson asked Dale.
"I do, every once and awhile." - Dale said.
"More like every day, Dale." - Chip chimed in.
"Well there's your problem. Ok, Dale, follow me and will go run through a few tests." - Dr. Moleson said as he opened the door and motioned for Dale to follow.
"This should take about an hour or so, if you wouldn't mind waiting in the lobby that would be great.." - Dr. Moleson said to Chip and Gadget.
As an hour and half went by Gadget and Chip spoke minimally. Both were worried that Dale may never recover from this fully and his Rescue Ranger days were numbered.
"Ok, so I wish I could say I have good news for you but I don't, so let me tell you what's going to happen." - Dr. Moleson said, holding a clipboard of test results in front of Chip and Gadget.
"What is it doctor, is Dale going to be alright." - Gadget asked.
"I'm giving him two weeks to live, if he continues smoking the way he is." - Dr. Moleson said in a blank expression.
Chip went numb as soon as he heard that statement. Memories of him and Dale started to flood his mind as flashbacks. Chip felt as if his life was flashing before his eyes, but it wasn't. It was Dale's. The good times, the bad times and everything in between started to come back to Chip. As he reflected on his memories he heard his name being called out in a muffled voice.
"Chip! Snap out of it." - Gadget exclaimed.
Chip snapped out of his state of shock.
"I need to see him, doctor. Now." - Chip said as he stood up from his chair.
"Sure thing, follow me." - Dr. Moleson said.
Chip then entered the room where Dale was laying on a bed staring at the ceiling with a breathing tube on. Chip then closed the door behind him and sat on the edge of the bed.
"The doctor told me Dale. I still find it hard to believe, but I guess this is near the end." - Chip said in a disappointed tone.
Dale looked to Chip and held out his hand. Chip took it, and Dale shook his hand.
"Whatever happens Chip, happens. I just want you to know before I die how much I've appreciated being your brother and your best friend all these years." - Dale said in a soft, tired voice.
Chip gave a grimacing face as he let go of Dale's hand.
Dr. Moleson entered the room.
"Well I might have somewhat good news, it's risky and I've never done it before but I'm willing to try. But it does come with a contingency." - Dr. Moleson explained, flipping through his paperwork.
"What is it doctor?" - Chip asked.
"A lung transplant." - Dr. Moleson said.
"Where would we get the lung from?" - Dale asked.
"Well.. that's the contingency. I would need a donor, the only problem is, that we don't have any chipmunk donors. They also have to be deceased individuals." - Dr. Moleson explained.
Chip pondered at the idea. He knew what he had to do.
"Doctor, can we speak outside please." - Chip asked.
"Sure, be my guest." - Dr. Moleson said as the both stepped outside the room.
"I want to be Dale's donor." - Chip said.
"Well Chip, that's very noble of you but you do know that you will never come back from that surgery." - Dr. Moleson explained.
"I know, and if it's what it takes to save Dale then I'll do it." - Chip said.
"Very well then, I'll start the prepping faze. It will take about a day or so to be ready for the surgery. If you want to go home and come back tomorrow then we can start the procedure." - Dr. Moleson explained.
Chip then went and said goodbye to Dale and told him he would see him tomorrow one last time then went out and left with Gadget.
"So how'd it go with Dale?" - Gadget asked.
A few minutes went by as Chip stared off into the evening sky view of New York city.
"Chip?" - Gadget said as she tapped Chip's shoulder.
Chip flinched, and looked at Gadget.
"Is everything okay, Chip?" - Gadget asked.
"Today is my last day on this planet." - Chip thought to himself but didn't say anything.
"I'm going to be giving a lung transplant to Dale tomorrow." - Chip finally replied.
"Oh, that's so kind of you Chip. Does Dale know?" - Gadget asked with a smile.
"No, I'll tell him tomorrow." - Chip said, still making no eye contact.
"Well I for one say that is a relief that Dale will get to live longer than two weeks." - Gadget said as she landed the Ranger plane.
"Yeah, it sure is…" - Chip said as he got out of the plane and went inside.
"Hey Chippa, been wondering where you guys were all day." - Monterey said.
"Oh hey Monterey." - Chip replied as he set his hat on the couch.
"Monty!" - Gadget shouted as she ran over and hugged Monterey Jack.
"How was your trip?" - Gadget asked.
"It was amazing, the weather was warm, there was no rain and the cheese was phenomenal!" - Monterey explained happily.
"Say where's me pally, Dale?" - Monterey asked scratching his head.
"It's a long story Monty." - Gadget said as she sat down at the table.
As Gadget explained Dale's situation to Monterey, Chip laid on his bed questioning his choices in life, and what was to be after he was gone.. The night went on quietly as no one had dinner together and there were minimal conversations between all of them. As everyone said their goodnight, Chip sat and pondered what was to become of the Rescue Rangers' when he was gone and who was going to lead them. These questions floated through Chip's mind as he slowly drifted asleep.