A Soldier's Gift

by Lynne St. James

  “Hi, Mrs. Middleton.”

  “Hi, sweetie. I’m so glad you’re here. I brought you something.” Surprised, Beth wondered what the old woman was up to. Then she pulled a wrapped box out of her cart and handed it to Dani. She looked at Beth as if asking if it was okay and Beth nodded. What could she do? They both looked so happy.

  Dani tore through the wrapping and opened the box to reveal an old jewelry box. When she opened the lid there was a little ballerina. She twirled around and around to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine.” It reminded Beth of a music box she’d had when she was little.

  “You didn’t have to do this, Mrs. Middleton, but it’s very kind of you,” Beth was saying as Dani practically threw herself into the woman’s arms and hugged her.

  “I love it. Thank you so much. It’s just like the music box in my story. It is magic and the ballerina grants wishes.”

  “I’m so glad you like it. I was cleaning out my attic and found it and thought of you. Always so filled with sunshine.” Beth struggled to hold back her snort and rolled her eyes at Julie from behind the old woman. She was glad at least Dani was well behaved when she was around the customers. Beth didn’t know the story Dani was reading, and she wondered if it was what she read to Mac every night. She usually zoned out while she listened to Dani’s voice, praying instead for Mac to come back to them.

  “I have something for you too, Beth. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “You don’t have to give me anything. I appreciate your friendship, that’s always been enough.”

  “Yes, but I know you’ve had a hard time this year, dear. Mr. Middleton gave me this when he went off to war. We weren’t sure he’d make it back and he told me it was a magic amulet connected to his heart. Of course it’s just a piece of garnet, but it’s beautiful anyway.”

  “But don’t you want to give this to your daughter?”

  “No, it’s meant for you, I know it is. And when you don’t need it anymore you will know who should have it next.” Beth thanked her but was confused. It was an odd tale and she didn’t know what to say. Mrs. Middleton helped her put it on. It was a beautiful piece of jewelry. A large heart-shaped garnet stone set in sterling silver scrollwork. The garnet’s color was so deep it almost looked like a beating heart.

  “Thank you again, it is really beautiful,” Beth said as she hugged her.

  “Oh and don’t think I’ve forgotten you, Julie.” She pulled out another box and handed it to Julie.

  “It’s like Christmas in July.” They laughed and watched as she tore open the wrapping. Opening the small box, she gasped and then turned it so they could all see the pin. It was a beautiful silver horse caught in mid-run, with a wreath of flowers around its neck made from little colored stones. It looked like the horse Julie always said would show up with her knight, but how did Mrs. Middleton know?

  “I do hope you like it.”

  Julie smiled as she took it out of the box and pinned it on her shirt. She tried to hide them but Beth saw her tears and knew she’d been thinking along the same lines as Beth. “Thank you so much. I really shouldn’t accept it though, it is too expensive.”

  “Nonsense. You both have been so wonderful to me. You’ve brought light back into our old lives. It’s nothing.” Then she turned to Beth and with all the certainty in the world, she smiled and looked angelic for a moment. “Your young man will be fine. You’ll see, it’s a gift, a soldier’s gift, but he’ll come back to you both.”

  Now it was Beth’s turn to hold back the tears. She didn’t even know how to respond to her words, or how Mrs. Middleton knew any of this. They never discussed their personal lives around customers, but somehow Mrs. Middleton knew all their secrets.

  “Okay enough of this sappy stuff. The girls and I need more books,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. The moment passed, but as Beth glanced down at the garnet heart laying directly over her own heart, she swore it pulsed with life and lightened her worries.

  After they’d taken care of Mrs. Middleton’s books and helped her pick out some new ones, it was time to close up for the day. Anxious to get to the hospital, Beth offered to pick up McDonald’s on the way. Dani was all over that since fast food was usually a no-no in their house. Even Julie looked surprised when she heard the offer.

  “What’s gotten in to you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s my new heart.” They laughed, but Beth really did wonder. She couldn’t shake the need to get to the hospital as soon as possible. So fast food for dinner it would be and she was sure it wouldn’t kill them.

  Forty minutes later, Beth pulled into the hospital parking lot. Dani already sucked down most of her chocolate shake and fries, but didn’t touch the cheeseburger of course. She hoped it wouldn’t be an argument to get her to eat it in Mac’s room. She’d picked up one of their chicken salads for herself, trying to be a little healthy at least, but she broke down and got a chocolate shake too. It was chocolate, who could resist that?

  The closer they got to Mac’s room the more anxious Beth got. There was no reason for it. Tag called earlier and said nothing had changed, Mac was still in his coma. It was silly but ever since Mrs. Middleton placed the heart pendant around her neck she’d felt the need to see Mac. Common sense told her it was an overactive imagination and hope from hearing the story. Still she couldn’t push away the need to be with him.

  To say she was disappointed as they walked into the room and found him lying in his bed as usual would be an understatement. She knew better, but the hope and need had been so real. Stupid shit. How old was she? Dani could believe in fairy tales but thirty-four-year-old women should know better.

  Taking their usual places, one on each side of the bed, Dani ate her burger without trouble, and then got out her tablet and started reading. Beth’s salad looked great when she bought it, but the disappointment made it taste like sawdust and she tossed it in the garbage when Dani wasn’t looking.

  Leaning forward, she took Mac’s hand in hers as she listened to Dani read the story. Mac’s hand twitched in hers. At first she thought she imagined it, but then it twitched again. It was the first time since the morning in ICU that he moved while she was touching him. Dani’s voice went on with the story as Beth moved from staring at Mac’s hand to his face. Her heart almost stopped when she saw him staring at her, eyes wide open.

  “Oh my God. Mac!”

  Startled by her mother’s outburst, Dani looked up and when she saw Mac’s eyes open, she jumped onto the bed and hugged him. He hadn’t said a word but she recognized the “oomph” reaction to her daughter’s hug. Running out of the room, too excited to even think to push the call button, she went to the nurse’s station and told them Mac was awake.

  On her way back to the room she offered up a prayer of thanks for bringing him back. Although how much of him was there she had no idea yet. Passing through the doorway, she heard a sound she’d been longing to hear for the last three weeks. The sound of Mac’s voice as he laughed at something Dani said. Holding onto the doorframe for support, she had to hold back the tears. No way was she going to let him see the tears in her eyes.

  “Welcome back, soldier.”

  He grinned at her, flashing his bright whites and her heart lurched in her chest. God how she loved this man. “Thanks, it’s good to be back. Dani said I’ve been having a long nap?”

  “Yeah, almost four weeks. You must have been really tired,” her daughter answered him.

  Beth smiled. “She’s right. So how do you feel? You had us all pretty worried about you.”

  His eyes clouded with sorrow, and he closed them for a moment before answering her. “I feel pretty good actually. No headache for the first time in forever.”

  “Probably because they got out two little pieces of shrapnel still lodged in your brain. Your gray matter was not happy, Mister”

  “No I guess not.”

  “What do you remember?”

  “Not much, being in Dr. Andrews’ office and the headache c
oming back.”

  Dani hugged him again, like she was reassuring herself he was really alive. “I didn’t think you were going to wake up, but then Mrs. Middleton brought the music box today and it grants wishes. I’ve been wishing ever since for you to wake up and it worked.”

  Beth didn’t have the heart to tell her it wasn’t the music box, but the healing process. But did she really know that for sure? Didn’t the necklace push her to come here today? As soon as it was around her neck, the urge had been there to get here. She didn’t know what happened but she didn’t care either. Having Mac awake, and at least to her eyes looking fine, was all she wanted.

  “He came back and found you out cold on the floor. They did a CT scan and found the shrapnel and then did surgery. It took a while for the swelling to go down, they removed the plate and put a new one in. So you have an interesting haircut.”

  “It’s funny looking, but it will grow back. Mine did after the accident,” Dani told him.

  “If it doesn’t, will you be embarrassed to be seen with me?”

  “No way. You’re awesome.” Beth agreed but kept it to herself. She would wait until they had some alone time, then she was going to come clean. Good or bad, she was going to tell him her true feelings. Life was too short to hold back.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The nurses must have paged Dr. Andrews, because before long he came through the door.

  “Welcome back, Lieutenant. Nice to see you.”

  “Thanks, doc. Same here.”

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Rested.” Mac laughed, it was the truth. Wide awake and full of energy, he wanted out of the hospital. The sooner the better.

  “Good to hear. Mrs. Fraser, would you and Dani step outside while I examine the patient please.”

  Dani pouted, but with a little urging from Beth they went into the hallway and pulled the door shut. At first he’d been so happy to open his eyes and find them there, but when he looked closer he could see the dark shadows under Beth’s eyes and she looked thinner, like she’d been sick. Was Dani right, had he really been unconscious for nearly four weeks?

  “Any pain in your head? Eyes?”

  “No, sir. First time I can remember not having a headache.”

  “Probably because we finally got all the shrapnel. You had a couple of pieces hiding in there.”

  “That’s what Beth said. Are you sure it’s all gone now?”

  “As sure as I can be. Before we put the plate back in we gave you an MRI, it was a risk but one I felt we needed to take. It and the CT scan were both clean. Once the swelling went down we put in a new plate.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “How are the eyes? Still blurry? How many fingers am I holding up?”

  “Three. And no I can see, I mean really see. I could see Dani’s face even close up, and yours for the first time. Nice to see ya, doc.” He hadn’t realized it at first until he noticed the dark shadows under Beth’s eyes, he couldn’t have seen them before. Her face would have been too blurry. He had his sight back. If all it took was a four week nap he was all for it.

  “Excellent. I’ll have Dr. Pinsky come in and examine you just to make sure. We’ll do some more tests too but you should be able to get out of here tomorrow or the day after.”

  “Was I really out four weeks?”

  “Just about. You had us worried. I didn’t expect you to be unconscious for so long. A day or two maybe, but not almost a month.”

  “I had some weird dreams or something.”

  “You were probably hearing Dani. She read to you every day. The nurses told me they’d stand outside and listen. She’s quite the storyteller.”

  Mac smiled. She was an amazing child, oops he had to remember, teenager. She’d have his head if he called her a child. And Beth. She was something else altogether. Now that he could see, he could finally make some permanent plans.

  “Maybe. It doesn’t matter now. I’m awake and can get on with my life.”

  “As soon as we clear you after the tests, yes you can do that. I’ll leave you to your visitors and see you in the morning. The nurse will be in to disconnect the monitors but you’ll need the IV until you get some food in you.”

  “Okay, doc. Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll send your guests back in.”

  It might have been Dani’s voice as Dr. Andrews thought, but he wasn’t buying it. It was a male voice, and he’d heard it several times while he was asleep. He tried to remember what the words were but he couldn’t. No matter how hard he concentrated he couldn’t bring them clearly into his memory. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling that it was important he remember them, but how?

  Now wasn’t the time to worry about it, he wanted to hear from Dani and Beth what had gone on in the month he was sleeping. He felt like Rip Van Winkle waking up from his long nap. He might not have slept quite as long as Rip but being away from the world for almost a month felt like a hell of a long time.

  Dani told him all about the books she’d been reading to him and how earlier in the day she’d gotten a music box just like the one in the story. “I knew when I saw it you’d wake up today.”

  “You did, huh? I’m glad you were right.”

  “Me too. So when do you get to go home?”

  “Dr. Andrews says a few more days, as long as I eat.”

  “Well you’d better eat.” He smiled. Every day she sounded more and more like Beth. Did she realize how much Dani was like her?

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Good.”

  “Is that new?” He saw the necklace Beth was wearing and didn’t remember seeing it before.

  “As a matter of fact I was given it today by the same person who gave Dani the music box. Strange right? Wait, you can see it?”

  “Yes.” He couldn’t hold back the shit eating grin he knew was on his face. “Everything is crystal clear.”

  “Holy crap. That’s great.”

  “Mom!”

  “Oops. Sorry.” Mac howled at the role reversal. Yeah, these two females would keep him on his toes, if they’d have him, and he sure as hell hoped they would.

  “Hey, how’s Tag doing?”

  “Okay.” He didn’t like the way Beth looked away from his eyes when she answered. Something wasn’t right there. He’d have to figure it out, probably more shit with his parents. At least he didn’t seem to miss too much while he slept. Weird. It didn’t seem like he missed a month or any time at all.

  “Does he know I’m awake?”

  “Yes, I sent him a text message while Dr. Andrews was in here. I’m sure he’ll be here soon enough to see you.”

  Mac nodded. It was wonderful not to have the constant throb of pain in his head and down his neck. It had been there for so long, and now he was pain free—at least for now.

  “Thanks. I’m sure his parents are making him crazy.”

  “Maybe. They’re definitely weird people, thank goodness Anna is normal.” Beth laughed. “I feel sorry for both of them. I don’t think their parents even realize how hard they are on them.”

  “You’re right. As long as I’ve known him it’s always been that way too.”

  “I can’t even imagine. But then my father was really laid back.”

  “I wish I got to meet Grandpa.”

  “I do too, bug. He’d have loved you so much and you would’ve had a great time with him.”

  “Why does everyone have to die?”

  Beth paled as Mac watched her face. He could see the wheels turning in her head trying to come up with a good answer for a twelve-year-old. It’s not like she could say everyone dies. Not enough of an explanation.

  “You know I’m not sure why people die when they do. But most people live a long time and you get to spend plenty of time with them. But if no one ever died there wouldn’t be room on the planet for everyone. Can you imagine how crowded it would be?”

  Dani laughed, and the mood lightened. Beth saved the
moment again. She always knew what to say to Dani, and it was one more thing he admired about her. His parents were old fashioned and were happiest when they didn’t have to deal with him at all. As he grew up he realized it and did his best to stay out of their hair. It worked too—for the most part. He’d spent his life trying to make them proud of him, and he wondered if he’d succeeded.

  When Dani started yawning, they said goodbye and promised to be back in the morning. Beth smiled and kissed Mac gently on the lips. No hint of passion, it could have been friendship for all he knew. Did something happen to change how she felt while he was in the coma? He could have sworn she’d been falling for him. Fucking relationships are so complicated.

  Dani hugged him and then they were gone, taking all the happiness with them. It was like he was sucked into a vortex with all the happy gone, leaving only gray and sadness. Shaking himself, he tried to shrug it off. There was no reason for him to feel like it was over. From what Beth said, they’d visited him every day and stayed for hours. Someone who wasn’t interested wouldn’t do that, would they? Where were these doubts coming from? Fuck, fuck, fuck. All he’d wanted to do was be able to see and he could. He was healed—at least it looked that way for now. He should be jumping for joy instead seeing their backs as they left, it felt too final. It was fucking odd.

  “Glad you decided to come back to the fucking living, bro.” He’d been so engrossed in his thoughts he hadn’t heard the telltale click of Tag’s cane coming down the hall, or maybe his super hearing was fading now that his eyesight was back.

  “Yeah well you know how it is. They didn’t want me in hell, the devil kicked my sorry ass out.”

  “No surprise there.” Tag dropped into the chair Dani left near the bed. “So how the fuck are you?”

  “I’m good. Better, a hell of a lot better. I can even see clearly now.”

  “No shit? That’s great. Now you’d never know you were fucked up except for the plate in your head.”

  “True that. But I guess some things don’t leave. I swear I had nightmares while I was out. Dreaming about being on patrol, the accident, and something else I have no idea what the fuck it was.”