Without (27 page)

I died at 8:13 in the morning. I’ll never forget the time
because my watch died as well. I don’t know why, but I still wear it. Maybe
it’s because eventually everything will die at 8:13. Maybe it’s because I’m
hoping one day to look down and see that it’s 8:14. Whatever the reason, I’m
still wearing that watch.

Setting the cold beer down in front of me, the server asked
if I needed a menu. I declined, watching Sam hit the last few balls in the
bucket. I ordered her a drink as she picked up her clubs, making her way to the
deck that overlooked the driving range.

“A perfect day, huh?” said Sam, taking the seat beside me.
“I was knocking the crap out of those things.”

“You’re a natural,” I said. “I do love watching your swing.”

“Thank you,” said Sam, accepting the drink from the server.

“Couldn’t get any prettier out here,” said Earl, sitting
down beside Sam. “And look at them greens. Whoever takes care of those must do
it with love.”

“Yes, he does,” I said, smiling. “You wanna sneak out to
fourteen and knock a few in the woods?”

“Now, that’s an idea,” said Earl, “but you ain’t got much
time.”

“What do you mean? I’ve got the rest of eternity out here
with you. With both of you.”

“You ain’t supposed to be here yet,” said Earl. “You still
fightin’.”

“You were there, Earl. You saw what they did to me. I didn’t
survive. I couldn’t have survived.”

“You did, baby,” said Sam. “And I’m so proud of you. What
you did for your family, the people you care about, was the most selfless thing
I’ve ever seen.”

“So, this isn’t heaven?” I asked.

“Oh, no, son,” said Earl. “You can’t describe heaven with
words. No, this here is in the middle. It’s where your soul goes to recover
while your body is healing.”

“It’s so beautiful here,” I said. “I don’t want to leave. If
you haven’t noticed, it’s a little rough out there. I’m tired of the pain. I
want to stay here with you two.”

“This place isn’t real,” said Sam. “Where your body’s
healing is real. The people who love you that are desperately trying to save
your life are real. The real beauty is there. It’s where you found your home,
sweet boy.”

“They came for you,” said Earl. “That damn storm slowed ‘em
down a bit, but they came anyway. They was willing to die for you, just like
you was willing to die for them. Some folks never find that in their entire
lives. But you, you had everyone coming for you. Wouldn’t be right, you stayin’
here after what they did.”

“She makes you happy,” said Sam. “That makes me happy.”

“She’s tough like you,” I said. “She doesn’t back down from
anything.”

“Including you,” said Earl, laughing. “She’s a good woman.
You’re lucky to have found her back there in your world.”

“You’re okay with this?” I asked, looking at Sam. “Me being
with Kelly?”

“I’m okay with anyone that’ll take care of you. And she’s
taking care of you now.”

“This is gonna hurt, isn’t it?”

“Oh, yes, sir,” said Earl, grinning. “You been beaten,
stabbed, shot, damn near burned, and sliced up. Yep, it’s gonna hurt.”

“I love you both,” I said. “Thank you for sticking by me,
even when I tried to erase you.”

“We’ll always be here for you,” said Sam. “It’s time for you
to go now.”

I was immersed in silence and darkness. It felt like I was
on my feet, so I started walking. With every step the pain returned, but I
couldn’t remember how it got there. As the pitch black was lifted from my eyes,
a stranger was standing over me. At first I only heard mumbling, but then the
voice became clearer.

“That’s it, sweetheart. You come on back to us.”

I tried to speak, but my throat was bone dry. The stranger
lifted my head as she put a glass of water to my lips. After a sip my voice was
working again.

“Who…who are you?”

“It’s me, sweetie. I’m your Aunt Donna. You’ve had a rough
time of it these past few weeks, but you’re gonna be just fine now. Praise the
Lord, you’re gonna be fine.”

A younger woman came flying around the corner into the room.
Her face was bright and her smile was huge. Donna held up a hand for her to
slow down.

“He’s having a little trouble recognizing us, River,” said
Donna. “We need to take it easy until the others get here.”

“You recognize me, don’t you?” said River. “I’m your
cousin.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t. I have no idea how I got
here. What happened to me?”

“You died on us, son,” said a large man entering the room.
“But we got you back. That’s all you need to know for right now. I’m your Uncle
Perry. Your other cousin Joey ran out to get a few folks who are gonna be happy
to see you awake.”

“Awake?” I said. “How long have I been out?”

“Twenty-three days,” answered River, lowering her head,
wiping away a tear. “It’s been a very long twenty-three days.”

Uncle Perry motioned for Donna and River to leave the room.
Each leaned over, giving me a gentle hug before they walked away. Whoever these
people were, they certainly acted like my family.

“Doc told us this might happen,” said Perry. “He told us not
to overwhelm you with too much when you woke up, so I’m not. He says it’ll all
come back to you. And when it does, I want you to remember something, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I never should’ve left you,” said Perry. “It broke my heart
watching you walk away from me, and I am truly sorry. But I promise you this.
That will never happen again. I have three sons now. Just remember that, okay?”

“I will.”

“Doc said to leave you be until he got here, so I’m gonna be
right outside that door,” said Perry. “You call out if you need anything.”

“Can I get another sip of water, please?”

With the same gentle hands as Donna, he lifted my head. I
looked at him as I swallowed. There was something familiar in his eyes. I knew
him.

“Uncle Perry?”

“Yes, son.”

“I threw up on you, didn’t I?”

“Of all the things,” replied Perry, throwing back his head,
laughing. “Yes, boy. You threw up on me. Now rest up. The others will be here
soon.”

When he left me alone in the room, images started firing
through my head. I remembered a steam train. I remembered I lived in Atlanta,
but something terrible happened, forcing me to leave. I saw the face of an old
woman, looking for her dog.

Several other faces came into focus in my mind’s eye. Most
were blurry, but I knew all of them were dead. My stomach sank when I realized
I was the one who killed them.

As fragments of memories started floating towards each
other, I still couldn’t figure out what had happened to put me in this bed in
so much pain. I pulled the covers down, revealing a brilliant white cross of
dressings on my chest. Reaching up to my face, it was difficult finding a spot
that didn’t hurt.

Laying my arms back down to my sides, I closed my eyes,
trying to recall the event twenty-three days ago that killed me. All I saw was
darkness, but I kept feeling rain and fire; I kept hearing a steam train – two
steam trains. None of it was making sense.

“I’ll be damned,” said an older man walking into my room.
“Looks like I get another home cooked meal.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Never mind. I’m Doctor Hammond, but just call me Doc.”

“You dug birdshot out of my face, didn’t you?”

“You remember that?”

“I do,” I said. “It hurt like hell.”

“Good,” said Doc. “That’s a good sign. I’m gonna give you
the short version of what’s going on with you.”

“I’d really like to know.”

“A bunch of folks tried to kill you,” said Doc.
“Technically, they did. Your heart stopped beating for about a minute and a
half. Now, these same assholes tried to kill me, too. But lucky for you, they
didn’t. Tell you the truth, I’m gonna need to build a hospital just for you if
you keep this up.”

“So I’ve been keeping you busy?”

“That’s an understatement, son,” said Doc. “The way I
figure, you lost almost half the blood in your body, or damn near. The worst of
your injuries was a knife wound that nicked your femoral artery. My nurse was
able to grab it through the wound, clamp it, and then give you CPR. Pretty
amazing work in a muddy pit during a hurricane, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would,” I said. “When do I get to thank this nurse?”

“Right now,” said Doc, turning his head.

I saw her standing in the doorway. More images fired off in
my head, but this time, they were magnificent images. I remembered a waterfall
and a candlelight dinner in a camper. I remembered I would die for this woman.

“He’s got some blank spots, but he’s coming around nicely,”
said Doc. “He’s gonna be just fine.”

“That’s very good news,” said the nurse.

She moved closer, sitting on the edge of my bed. Reaching up
to my face, she brushed the hair out of my eyes. I could see tears in hers.

 Do you know who I am?”

“I do,” I said. “Your name is Kelly.”

“Do you know who you are?”

“I do,” I said. “My name is Henry.”

The End

Other
Books by E.E. Borton

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SUFFER

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