The Country Duet(86)
Chapter 23
Hunter
“You don’t know it yet but, I ain’t gonna be that easy to leave.” –Sam Hunt
“You are not going to be sticking me with a fucking needle three times a day.”
“Mr. Hendricks.” The doctor takes a formal stance with him. “It’s crucial to monitor your health. We are at a point where the diabetes is killing you from the inside out.”
“I’m so tired of you fuckers pricking me. I’ve had enough of this shit.” Dave lies back in his bed, mirroring his defeated stance.
“We can insert a heplock that would avoid poking you every single time. However, there’s some upkeep with them and the possibility of it having to be changed out.”
Dave glares down the doctor, then looks to me. I give a slight nod of my head, letting him know he needs to comply with the doctor.
“Fine,” Dave finally grumbles.
“Now to the hard part.” The doctor sits on the edge of the bed. “To control your diabetes and the complication with the gangrene in your body, we need to amputate from the hips down on both legs.”
Dave’s eyes flash wide. “No way in hell. I’m done.”
“There are no other options.”
“I’m ready to die. I’m not going through that.”
I clear my throat. “There has to be another option.”
The doctor stands with gloom on his features. “A morphine drip to control the pain while you die.”
His words are harsh and to the point. The message is received. I scrub my face, knowing there’s no subtle way the doctor could’ve told Dave. I know that Dave isn’t going to look to me for confirmation. He’s making the decision for himself; it’s what he wants and is ready for. The only choice I have is to stand by him and be his friend.
“No amputation,” Dave growls.
The doctor nods and exits the room. I thought Dave had experienced lows before, but they were nothing like this. I hold out a bag of licorice, and he never grabs it, so I lay it on his bed next to him.
“I’ll be here every single day until summer break, Dave.”
“Then you’ll leave me like everybody else.” He never makes eye contact with me.
“My dad is counting on me and needs my help on the ranch. I’ll come visit as much as I can.”
“Just leave, Hunter.”
“Dave, there’s no way in hell you have the right to kick me out of your life right now. I’m not leaving you. We’ll talk daily, and I’ll come visit, no matter how big of a dickhead you want to be.”
He turns to me with tears filling his eyes. “I just can’t go through anymore. I’m going to die; it’s time. I’ve lost a lot in my life, but my legs aren’t going.”
“That’s fine and your choice. I stand by you no matter what.” I grab the top of his hand. “But you don’t get to kick me out of your life.”
There’s a light knock at the door to his room in the nursing home. “Mr. Hendricks, I’m here to help you get out of that gown and into your shirt and sweatpants.”
He doesn’t say a word, and the nurse has tits and looks for days. It’s not that I’m looking because I’m a happily married man, but I just know what to expect from Dave. But he remains silent. She helps him get his legs over the bed. Then it takes every ounce of her strength to pull him up into a standing position.
I keep my hands tucked in my pockets and remain put. Dave gets agitated if I try to help him anymore. Hell, I used to carry the man around his farm with no problem. He’s keeping his one ounce of pride tucked close to his heart, refusing to let go of it.
Once he’s settled back in bed with his favorite blanket covering him, he grins at me. The bastard grins.
“I can do shit on my own, Hunter. It’s nonsense they want to take my legs.”
I nod. That nurse nearly collapsed with the amount effort she used to help Dave, but there’s no sense in arguing with him. He runs his fingers over the package of candy, but never opens it.
“I just need some sleep, Hunter.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow, you ornery bastard.”
He gives me a half-cocked grin, but remains silent. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Dave, it’s that he always has to have the final word. Not tonight when he’s made the biggest decision of his life.
“I love you, Dave. You’ve taught me more about life than I thought possible.”
Epilogue
Hunter
Two Years Later
“Wide open spaces are good for the heart.” –Unknown
The tires on my work truck come to a stop in our driveway. I don’t even have one leg out before Teale and Baker come racing out of the house. It was a long day on Sweetwater working cattle on horseback. My body aches, belly is empty, and I’m in need of a good shower.
“Cowboy, we gotta run. Baker’s dress rehearsal is in fifteen minutes.” She pecks me on the lips, but pulls back in a flash. “The baby is sleeping, and there’s breast milk in the fridge.”
“Bye, Daddy.” Baker hops up on the running boards of the truck and taps my nose.
The simple action makes me smile, and I tap hers right back. It wasn’t until we were on our honeymoon that Teale told me about the gesture between the two of them, causing me to break down. It seems like yesterday that Baker’s last name changed to Yates. Life is simple, yet perfect, in every aspect.