by J. J. Fogg
“Okay, sure. For how long?”
“From now on, Eddie. I won't be coming back.”
“Doc, where are you going? I don't understand.”
“Yes, you do, Eddie. You do understand. I just know it. You see all the souls here tonight, right?”
“Yessir.”
“Then, you know. As to where I'm going, I'm really not sure. But, back to my question; will you take over behind the bar?”
“Of course, Doc. Of course…and I don't want to, but…well, I do understand.”
“Good. Very good.” He smiled contentedly. “Then my soul is at rest now. I know I'll be fine and so will you.”
“Thank you, Doc. For everything. You have no idea…”
“It was my pleasure, son,” Doc said as he pulled Eddie into a warm, fatherly embrace. “It was truly my pleasure. I'm so very proud of you.”
“I…I love you, Doc.”
“I love you too, son. Now, I have one more person to say good bye to.” He turned to go find Lily, but paused. “One more thing, Eddie. That young woman over there needs you. And you need her. She can help you find your way. Love her.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 22
Doc downed one last swig of whiskey before heading toward the table in the corner. Nick was holding Lily tightly, rubbing her arm, in silence. Each lost in deep thought.
“Hey, Lily-bug.”
She looked up to Doc and sensed what was coming. Tears immediately flooded into her eyes.
“It's time for me to go.”
She stood and came around to him, snuggling up to the old man, like she used to when she'd first met him, when he'd taken her in off the streets, gave her a warm home, and his heart. A tear fell to her cheek.
“Thank you for being patient with Eddie. I know you didn't want to.”
She snickered despite her sadness. “I understand what you saw in him now. You always did have that special gift of seeing the good in people. I didn't see Eddie like you did, not at first. But I do now.”
“Oh, you've got the eye, too, Lily. I know you do. This man you're with is proof of it.” Doc continued to hold Lily in a tight embrace as he reached out his hand to introduce himself. “And you must be Nick.”
“I am. You're Doc, right? This is your place?”
“Well, it used to be. It's Lily's now.” He paused. “I know we've just met, Nick. And you won't be seeing me again. But I have a request of you—only one request.”
“Yes, sir. Anything.”
“I only ask that you'll take care of…and love…my precious daughter, with all your heart.” Tears were flowing down his cheeks and his words were choppy, broken, uneven. “Leave no unfinished business…Can you do that for me, son?”
“Yes, sir. I believe I can.”
Doc released his hand and nodded—a gentleman's agreement, sealed with a handshake—that he knew Nick would honor.
Lily moved to Doc's side, still clinging tightly to him, as they walked toward the door. She resisted the pace, hoping to delay the moment as long as she could. “Doc?”
“Yes, Lily-bug.”
“I want to do something to the bar.”
“You what?”
“Don't worry, I've honored all of your provisos and always will. But what I want to do, you didn't have a provision for.”
Doc seemed a little bit concerned, but said nothing.
“I want to rename it.”
“Oh, Lily, I don't know. Everyone knows it as Doc's Place.”
“I understand that, but it's nothing major—not to anyone else anyway. But it would mean the world to me if I had my name on it with yours.”
He pulled her in tight.
“I was thinking Doc O'Connor's Place. Doc is your name. O'Connor is mine…and yours.'
“Lily, I think it's perfect—just like you.”
They reached the door and Doc reached for the handle. Lily clutched to him as tightly as she could, not wanting to see him leave for good.
“I wish you didn't have to go.”
“I wish I didn't either, Lily-bug.” He managed to face her and held her face in his hands. “Know this…”
She looked into his eyes, blinking repeatedly so she could see him clearly through her tears.
“I…I will always love you…and I'll never be far.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
He kissed her forehead, then released her. This time, she let him go. He walked through the door and disappeared.
There was a hole in Lily's heart, that only Doc had filled for most of her life and, once again, it felt desperately empty…but only for a moment.
As she stared out the doorway, into the cold darkness, she felt a warmth from behind her. The warmth enveloped her as Nick wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Then she felt a hand—a warm hand—on her shoulder.
She turned to see Eddie, looking down at her and smiling; his other arm was holding Anna close to his side.
“We're going to be okay, Lily.” Eddie reassured her. “You know why?”
“Tell me, Eddie.”
“Because we're family.”
She smiled back at him and nodded. She knew he was right.
“Better than okay, in fact,” he continued. “You know what I always say; There's nothing better than a half-dead bar, especially on a Friday night.”
# # # #
THE END
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About the Author
J. J. Fogg is an American author, currently living in the Midwest. When he isn’t sitting in front of a computer screen to work, he’s often sitting in front of a computer screen to write. J.J. is a military brat without a ‘home town’ but he considers himself at home, anywhere from Bogalusa, Louisiana to Ontonagon, Michigan and all stops in between.
Other Books by this Author
Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by J. J. Fogg:
The Six Feet Between Us
Paul Durant is striking out on his own. He’s graduated college (with honors, in fact), moved to a new town, bought his first house and started his career. He’s anxious to figure out all of life’s greatest mysteries. Despite his resolve, though, he feels woefully unprepared. Not to mention, a past he can’t remember is starting to catch up with him and, on the horizon, the Covid pandemic threatens everything he cares about.
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