Short Stories

24

"She only has 24 hours to live, We're very sorry Mr. Armstrong,"  

Those words echoed in my mind as I stared at the limp form in the hospital bed before me. We had been in and out of the hospital for months for treatments, and chemo and checkups. It was an ever raging storm and we were caught in the middle of it. 

We thought it was a never ending battle, but sure enough, it was ending. 

Of all the bad nights we had, this one was the worst. 

I was awoken by screams of pain coming from the adjoining bathroom. I sprinted out of bed,  threw open the thin bathroom door, and gasped at the horror that lay before me. Erin's soft, gentle face was flooded with tears and anguish. She was in pain, deep pain. I scooped her up gently and carried her out to the car. I placed her softly on the back seat and placed a fleece blanket over her frail body. 

We arrived at the hospital almost too late. 

They took her away and left me alone in the cold, brightly lit ER. I waited for what felt like hours. Hours I know we didn't have. I wondered if she was alright, although deep down, I knew she wasn't. 

I guess I should have expected this. 

Cancer is a bitch. 

I never thought about losing her until I saw her writing out her Will. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and here she was, giving her possessions away to family and friends. 

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just writing."

"Writing what?"

I glanced over her shoulder and saw the words Will and Testament. 

I looked at her; She turned away, not making eye contact with me. 

"Erin.."

"Elliot...I'm sorry. You know it could happen at any time and...I wanted to be prepared... I'm sorry."

Her eyes filled with tears and her body began to tremble. 

"Erin, come here."

I wrapped my arms around her tiny frame and pulled her into a hug. She rested her head on my chest and began to sob. 

"Elliot, I'm so scared." She said through the tears. 

"I know you are, It's okay. Everything will be alright," I comforted. 

"What if I die? "

"Then you'll be free. Free from all the doctor visits and the chemo and..."

She began sobbing again, maybe that wasn't the best thing to say. They thing was, I didn't know what to say. Words are just things people say. Actions mean much more. I pulled her in closer and squeezed her tight. 

"I love you Erin."

She looked up at me and sniffled. 

"I love you too."  

"Elliot?"  The nurse shouted into the ER

"That's me,"  I stood up and followed the nurse to the room where Erin was. 

"Now Elliot, her condition isn't good okay, so don't expect her to be fully aware of what's going on,"  The nurse informed me as I approached the door. I just nodded and went inside. 

I was taken aback by all the machines hooked up to her. Her small body seemed to melt into the hospital bed. 

I walked over to her, time seemed to slow down. It felt like I'd never reach her. I appeared at her side momentarily and placed my shaking hands on the bed to steady myself. 

"Hey beautiful,"  I said, stroking her red hair gently. 

"...Hey,"  She mumbled softly, trying to get oxygen in her lungs. 

"Elliot..." She hesitated. "They say I only have 24 hours left to live."  

I stood there in shock. I couldn't believe this was happening. 

"No, Please Erin, please tell me that isn't true," I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. 

"It is true Elliot, I'm sorry to have to break it to you," A voice behind me spoke. 

I turned around to see Dr. Westfield, her usual Cancer doctor. He normally had a cheerful demeanor about him, but today that facade melted away into a stern, icy look. 

She only has 24 hours to live, We're very sorry Mr. Armstrong," 

He left the room shortly after, leaving me to deal with my demons alone. 

I felt like the world around me was crumbling away. 

"Erin...Is this really the end?"  I asked

She looked at me, a deep sadness filled her eyes. 

"I guess so."

"So, what do you wanna do? I can have them take you home if that's what you'd prefer."

"I don't care what we do, as long as we do it together." 

We decided to take her home. She thought she'd be happier at home. I helped her into a wheelchair and we took the elevator down to the entrance and out into the parking lot. The bright July sun burned into our skin as I helped her into the car. It felt nice, like a warm embrace. I wish I had savored it longer. 

We drove home in silence, neither of us felt up to talking. Erin was very tired and very weak. Her time was ending.

We arrived home and I helped her inside. The July sun had been replaced with thick gray storm clouds and the sticky atmosphere was replaced with rain. Great. Her last day alive and it was ruined by rain. 

I helped her out of the car once again and lead her up the path to our old house. Once inside, I helped her to bed and laid down beside her. Even with her hair a mess and her filled with sadness, she was still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. 

"You look beautiful, my love." 

"I doubt that I probably look like shit," 

I laughed softly and she did too. 

"I'm serious Erin," I said removing her hair from her green eyes. 

"You're just saying that because I'm dying," She replied.

"Don't be silly!" I exclaimed. "You've always been beautiful." 

She gave me a half smile and looked out the old, tattered window. 

"Elliot, can you read me a story until the storm passes?" She asked. 

I looked out the window and saw the rain come down hard. I decided that reading to Erin would be the best option. 

I grabbed an old, leather bound book and placed it in my lap. 

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, My favorite,"  Erin smiled. 

I turned to the page where the bookmark was and began to read. 

"The Final Problem." 

I read for a while until I reached the end of the book. I closed it gently and looked over at Erin. She looked out the window and smiled softly. 

"Ugh, it's still raining, won't it ever stop?"  I asked exhausted. 

"I like the rain," She whispered. 

"Really?" I asked. "Rain is so awful, especially since this was supposed to be a great last day..." I sighed. 

"It's okay." She started. "I find peace in the rain."

I looked over at Erin and I watched as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. She died peacfully with her husband by her side and the soft thumping of the rain outside.