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By michael ryan Date: 2002 Mar 19 Comment on this Work [[2002.03.19.16.18.23118]] |
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Valentine's Day -by Mike Ryan Today was a special day. February 14. Valentine's Day. It may be a holiday created by Hallmark, but it was one that he and Janet loved to celebrate. Flowers, candlelit dinners. Even those silly, little candy hearts which would say "I Love You" or "My Special Valentine" or something similarly corny. This year would be no different. Wayne would give Janet that special gift he knew she wanted more than anything. As a testament to his love for her. As Wayne walked home for their evening together, he thought about the first time they had met. She was standing among a group of parents at a little league baseball game. Her family was new to the area and their boys played on the same team. After the game was over, they were introduced and quickly launched into a discussion about the latest math assignment their boys were struggling with. The connection between them was immediate. He and Janet kidded for years afterward about which one of them had pursued the other. But, Wayne knew in his heart that neither was really the aggressor. It was simply magic. Wayne chuckled to himself. Talk about corny. He sounded like Meg Ryan's character in Sleepless In Seattle. But, the thing was, he really believed it. It was fate. He and Janet were truly soul mates. It had started out as a friendship. After all, they had a lot of common ground. Both were rebounding from failed marriages. Each had two boys that consumed their every waking moment. And, more importantly, they both loved every minute of it. They would often kid each other that they had no social life outside of the various sports their sons participated in. It wasn't as if either one of them was looking for a new relationship. What started out as sharing an interest in music and books, along with being among the most vocal fans at their boys' ball games, slowly and very naturally evolved into something more physical and intimate. They often reminisced about their first kiss. It was completely unplanned and surprisingly passionate. And, as they say, the rest was history. Wayne and Janet had been together for fifteen glorious years. And, five years ago, they had finally tied the knot. At first, Wayne and Janet had agreed they wouldn't get married. They both figured - - "Been there, done that!" They teased each other that things were fine the way they were and they didn't want to jinx it. Wayne wasn't exactly sure what had changed their minds and convinced them to take the leap. For him, he guessed it was just one more way to tell the world that he loved her. As Wayne started to approach their house, he slowed his gait and clutched the brown, paper bag that contained his gift closer to him. He didn't want to drop the package now and break the glass inside. It had not been easy to find. Almost impossible in fact. But Wayne had connections, and he had finally managed to get what he needed. Wayne turned the key in the lock of the front door and stepped inside. Immediately, he could smell the candles burning. Janet adored candles. The scent of cinnamon hung in the air. Wayne followed the fragrance into the living room where he found Janet lying on the couch. She smiled and beckoned him to join her. Wayne sat down next to her and kissed her hand. "I love you my darling," he whispered. "Are you sure?" she teased. "Today and always my sweetheart," he replied. As he continued to nuzzle her hand, he reached inside the paper bag and removed the vials of morphine and the hypodermic needle. Janet had been begging him for the past two years to end her misery. She had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis and Wayne stood by and watched in horror as this terrible disease quickly ravaged the love of his life. She could no longer walk and the bouts of delirium were more frequent. Janet had begged him to allow her to die with some dignity. Once Wayne had agreed to give his love this last, special gift, they decided it should be on this day, when they had always celebrated their love for each other. Wayne filled the hypodermic with the morphine just as the doctor had instructed him. Janet looked into his eyes and slowly nodded her head. She squeezed his hand tightly and whispered, "I Love You." Wayne choked back tears as he injected the morphine into her I.V. line. He watched as Janet smiled and seemed to fade into a deep sleep. "Good Night Sweet Valentine," he sobbed. And then she was gone. |