On December twenty-second as Rose stepped out of the car her shoe lace caught on the edge of her seat. She fell onto the muddy ground rain pouring around her and a small pool of blood starting to form around the wound on the back of her head. Fred, her husband, ran from the house picking up Rose and laying her in the backseat of the car putting their son, Dred in the passenger seat. Fred drove through traffic and ran red light flying into the hospital parking lot. He unloaded his son and grabbed his wife from the backseat of his car. He carried her inside and she was immediately emitted to the emergency room.
Doctors and nurses rushed out with a gurney picking up rose and bringing her to a room to be examined. It had only been a few hours but to Fred and Dred it felt like a lifetime waiting to find out what had happened to Rose.
“It seems your wife has been put into an injury related coma. We have not determined if it severe enough to kill her or if she will wake up.” The doctor said. “If you would like to see her though, that would be fine.”
“Yes.” Fred said as he picked up Dred and followed the doctor into a room. It was plain and white. Machines pumped blood, oxygen, and nutrients into Rose’s body. She lay in the hospital bed unmoving and lifeless. Dred climbed onto the chair next to his mother and held her hand.
Fred reviewed the medical list; more tests were to be done later on that evening to determine when or if she would awake. Fred sat with Dred watching Rose sleep silently.
“Come on buddy,” He said patting Dred on the head. “You’ve got Sunday school tomorrow.”
They left the hospital and drove home. When they arrived Fred let the dogs outside into the backyard and put Dred to bed. Fred sat down on the couch staring at the black television screen. He flipped it on with the remote and went to let the dogs in. He walked into the kitchen and opened the sliding glass doors. The dogs bombarded their way through the door and ran down the hallway. Fred closed the door and grabbed a coke from the fridge. He went back to the couch and was watching how the Grinch stole Christmas when he fell into a deep slumber.
He woke at 6:30 the next morning. He got up and went upstairs to get Dred up when he smelt something burning coming from the kitchen. He ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. He found Dred there with two plates of waffles bacon eggs and biscuits.
“What are you doing?” Fred asked turning off the stove witch was smoking furiously.
“I thought we could bring mommy some breakfast before school.” He said. “I’m sorry.”
Fred looked at the plates and then at Dred. “Ok buddy, go get your backpack and your coat.”
Fred wrapped one of the plates with aluminum foil and stuck the other in the fridge. Dred came running down the stairs and out the door. They got in the car and made their way downtown to the hospital.
They walked in the front doors and checked in as visitors for Rose. The nurse led them down the hallway to her room and opened the door. They set the plate down and left. Fred brought Dred to school and dropped him off.
“See you later.” He said as he ran into the building.
Fred went back to the hospital and sat in Rose’s room waiting for the results of her tests. When the doctor finally walked in he had a very grim look on his face and looked of bad news.
“I’m sorry to tell you this but your wife’s chances of ever waking from this coma is slim to none.” The doctor said. “Of course it will be your decision when to pull the plug or not.”
Fred stared down at his wife’s face. She looked pale and weak. The life from her rosy cheeks was gone and skin sagged down around her cheekbones. Even now he thought she was as beautiful as ever and he couldn’t believe that she was not ever going to wake up.
“How long can I keep her here until it is mandatory to pull the plug?” He asked not taking his eyes off of her.
“The maximum we can keep her here in her condition is three weeks,” said the Doctor. “I’m very sorry.” He turned and walked out of the door leaving Fred alone with Rose.
He grabbed her hand and held it. He pulled out her favorite book; Ender’s Game and started to read. He read the entire book to her and when he was finished he kissed her on the cheek and left. He drove to the church to pick up Dred.
Dred jumped in the car and put on his seatbelt. “Are we going to see mom again today?” He asked hopefully.
“Dred,” Fred said sadly. “Your mother, well she may never wake up. You see she went to see God’s kingdom and she got lost along the way.”
Dred’s eyes filled with tears. He looked out the window and wiped his eyes. Fred sighed and started the car and they drove home. They got out of the car and went inside. Fred went into the kitchen to start dinner and Dred ran upstairs to his room. When dinner was done Fred called Dred downstairs and they ate.
“Would you like to go to the mall with me Dred?’ Fred asked him with a smile. “I’ve got a necklace I need to get for your mother. One way or the other she’s getting it.”
“Sure.” Dred said.
Fred put Dred in the passenger seat and buckled him up. He then got into the driver’s side and started the engine. They drove downtown through waves of traffic and crazy last minute Christmas shoppers. They arrived at the mall about a half an hour later. Fred and Dred went inside and went to the jewelry shop. Fred picked out a necklace earing and ring set. They were gold with green diamonds.
As they were walking to the gift wrapping station they saw Santa having kids tell them what they wanted. Dred looked over at the Santa and then at his dad.
“Dad,” He said. “Can Santa give you any gift you want?”
Fred looked down at his son and at the disappointed look on his face. “Yes, he can.”
“Can I go see him dad?” Dred asked. “Please?”
“Sure, come on.” Fred said walking toward the Santa.
Dred waited in line for two other children to go and tell Santa what they wanted before it was his turn. He climbed up into Santa’s lap and looked him in the eye.
“What’s your name young man?” Santa asked.
“Dred,” he said.
“And how old are you?” Santa asked.
“Seven,” he said.
“Wow you’re a big boy. What can I get you for Christmas?” Santa said smiling.
“I want my mom to wake up. She got lost on her way to see God.” Dred said sadly.
Santa was silent for many moments. “I will try my best, kid,” he said. “Do you want a candy cane?”
“Yes, please.” Dred replied.
Santa handed Dred a candy cane and helped him off his lap. Dred got down and walked over to his dad. “Let’s go wrap mom’s gift. Santa said she’s going to wake up.” He said cheerfully.
Fred was stunned. He followed Dred to the gift wrapping station and got the jewelry set wrapped. They got out of the mall and were on their way to hospital to see Rose when Fred’s cellphone rang.
Fred pulled over on the side of the road and hit the talk button. “Hello?” He said.
“Hello Fred. We have some news about your wife, Rose.” The voice on the other line said.
“What happened?” He asked anxiously.
“She’s passed away.” The doctor said sympathetically.
Fred hung up the phone and sped to the hospital. He and Dred raced into the hospital and to Rose’s room. There she lay still and cold. Fred touched her face for the last time and put the jewelry set on her. Dred hug his mother and cried.
“I guess she found the way.” Dred said through tears.
Fred hugged him and told him everything would be OK. They went home and Fred called his mother to ask if they could come to her house for Christmas. She told him it was an excellent idea.
***

On Christmas morning Fred bagged up Dred’s presents and his stocking. He woke Dred up and they went to Fred’s mother’s house. When they got there Dred opened all his presents and was playing on his brand new PlayStation 4 when he was finished. Fred and his mother went in the kitchen to get some coffee when there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it mom.” Fred said as he set down his cup and headed for the door.

Fred opened the door to see a small box on the front steps. It was a Present and it was for him! He picked the card off of it and it read. ‘A gift for you my love. –Rose’ The date on the postal stamp was from three weeks ago. He slowly opened the box and found a ring. The inscription on the inside of the ring said, ‘Never shall we part for we share a single soul.’


THE END