Chapter 6

“If you don’t accomplish your goals in this life, you’ll never be able to die contently.”

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The sun shone gallantly down at the fertile emerald trees and smiling spring flowers that sprung from the earth rapidly through new grown life. Small animals scurried into the safety of their refuges, popping their heads out every now and then to scour their surroundings. Young children played blissfully among the lush grass, laughing and giggling. Life, Fred contently laid back even further into his wheelchair, smiling up at Suzie. She leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on his forehead, looking up at the idyllic sights.
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          How happy I would be to die right here, right now…”       

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 “Suzie?” Fred called out feebly, “Could you wheel me forward just a bit?” Nodding her head, she pushed lightly and he rolled down a few feet, stopping front of a small daisy flower. Its head was tilted up towards him, smiling vibrantly at Fred’s joyful look. Reaching out, he stroked its silken malleable petals, conspicuously counting how many there were. “Fred? What are you doing?” Suzie strolled over curiously, leaning down to get a closer look.

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Fred smiled a sad and knowing smile. With great endeavor and Suzie’s help, he lifted his body back onto his sturdy chair. “Counting the days until I die…”

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“What?” Suzie gasped startlingly, “Why?” Bending down to look him in the eye, she took his hand in hers. “Suzie,” his voice shook uncontrollably as he spoke. “I’m dying. And you know that.” He emphasized the dying to further stress his point. “With each passing hour, is the next second into the future. And with the future comes eventual death. I have to do something in this lifetime before my time comes. If you don’t succeed in your goals in your existence, you’ll never be able to die peacefully.”

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 “Suzie! I’m going out for my walk!” But before he could make it out of the doorway, Suzie rushed over and grabbed the back of his wheelchair. “Suzie? What’s wrong?” The alarm and agonize etched in her face spoke for itself. “There’s-there’s something in the news about a car accident…” he waited for her to continue. She took a profound breath, struggling to control her anxiety. “And… there were 4 kids…” Imperceptivity, comprehension dawned on Fred as he realized who the 4 kids were. “One was named Taylor…”