Be Careful What You Wish For
Second Chance

“I believe the answer to that is simple; I would just refrain from taking her out. We could just have a quiet evening at home.”

“So this has been on your mind quite a bit then? Life full of regrets?”

“There is nothing more in this world that I would wish for than to go back and save her life, to just have a second chance.” Ward cupped his hands around his glass and bent his head down, closing his eyes. The pale man stared off into nothingness, his face troubled. After a few moments he shook his head before speaking.

“Death does not take kindly to interference Ward Walker, but I wish you the best of luck.” Ward raised his head and smiled at his new companion.

“Well I thank you Don, I feel enlightened after our conversation. In fact I think I’ll take Mickey up on his offer tonight.” Mickey turned from watching the TV and smiled.

“Anytime Ward, we got a spare room ready for you.”

“And with that I must be on my way.” The pale man raised his drink, took one final swallow, draining the glass and pushed himself up from his stool. “I bid you adieu good sir. Sleep well tonight, for tomorrow may have some surprises in store.” Don made a slight nod of his head, his shaggy hair covering his eyes and stepped out of the bar.

“Strange guy, but a good customer. I think he said he’s moving to Florida soon, lucky bastard.” Mickey was cleaning up now. The only patrons left in the bar were Ward and the scraggly fellow from earlier who was now paying and getting ready to leave. “Gimme a few minutes and we’ll be on our way.” That night, after Mickey closed the Bell, they had a short drive to his house where Ward slept on a bed for the first time in several months. He slept deeply, and dreamt much of Sue. Of her flowing brunette hair, and crystalline green eyes that shone like polished emeralds.

. . . .

Ward rolled over on his side, opening groggy blue eyes. A pair of bright green ones gazed back at him lovingly.

“Morning handsome.” Ward’s stomach caught in his throat. Blood raced through his body so furiously he thought he was going to have a heart attack. Frantic thoughts surged through his mind. Once he determined that he wasn’t dreaming he silently thanked god for this miracle. Ward pulled his wife’s body to his and made love to her more passionately than ever before. Their bodies were intertwined, where one began and the other stopped became blurred. They climaxed several times together before finally releasing each other and rolling on their backs.

“Oh Lord, that was incredible Ward.” Sue managed through gasps. The rest of the day followed in bliss. Every moment was heaven for Ward. Everything about her stirred his heart. From the way she laughed to the way she stood, hands on hips playfully mocking him as she cooked them lunch. They spent the day watching TV and playing board games. Day passed to night and the two of them were still in each other’s arms, cuddling on the couch. Ward felt a little tired, the rosemary chicken Sue made for dinner and the wine that accompanied it were getting him a bit droopy-eyed. CSI Miami was on, but Ward just couldn’t…quite…stay awake. His eyelids fell and slumber embraced him.

. . . .

The telephone rang. Ward jolted upright. It was dark. The only light on in the house was a floor lamp in the corner of the family room. He fumbled a bit as he rushed to the phone, stubbing his toe on the wall when he entered the kitchen and bit back a swear as he answered the phone with a groggy ‘Hello?’.

“Ward Walker?” Came an unsure voice on the other end.

“Yes? This is he.”

“Mr. Walker I’m terribly sorry to relay this news to you.” The male voice hesitated for a moment. “Your wife sir, she got into a terrible accident on Montgomery and Main. The paramedics arrived only minutes later. It seemed she was picking up some ice cream and was hit on her way out of the parking lot.”

“Oh my Lord. Is she…is she ok?” Ward didn’t’ even attempt to keep the desperation from his voice. It seemed an eternity before the other man spoke.

“I’m sorry sir, she died in the ambulance en route to the hospital. She didn’t respond to resuscitation attempts. I’m so very sorry sir. I don’t know what else to say. We found her license in her purse and gave you a call…would you like us to notify her family for you?” Ward didn’t answer. Instead he hung up the phone and walked aimlessly back into his family room. Shadows played along the walls, taunting him. A picture of Jesus Christ was framed above the television; Ward stared at it for a few long moments. He realized he had picked up a TV remote and was squeezing it furiously in his right hand. Fury and sorrow overwhelmed him. Ward screamed and hurled the remote at the picture, shattering it upon impact.

“You selfish son-of-a-bitch! I pray every night! I attend your HOUSE every Sunday! And you take her from me…TWICE!” He spat the last word, his voice breaking at the end. His tide of fury gave way to pulsing waves of sobbing. In between hic-ups he managed to croak a few more words at the shattered savior. “You taunt me by giving her back for a day, and then you take her again! Why?!” That eternal question, that single-syllable word hung in the air as Ward cried himself to a deep sleep.

Demons haunted his dreams, dancing in fire and lapping at his heels as he strode through hell itself. A bottomless, fiery chasm opened up in front of him, with a narrow stone walkway the only way to transverse it. Ward made his way across the walkway to a shadowy figure that somehow seemed familiar. As he came within a few feet the figure turned to face him. Ward stared into a set of yellow eyes. Eyes that were wells of sorrow and regret that were as deep as the infinite fiery chasm beneath them. No words came to Ward’s lips, so the pale figure spoke.

“I am so sorry Ward. I would take it back if I could, but I cannot. He only gave me a limited power, and corrupt it is, that power. I didn’t want to do it, I can’t help it, it just happens…Please forgive me, PLEASE!” The pale man reached out a hand, but the nightmare was fading. Ward awoke to a new day, full of nightmares in its own right.

~ end ~