Heart Ties: Love Never Dies Novella Read online

  “Okay, okay, I will. Now quit your damn nagging. Hell, the way you nag at me you’d think you were my mother.” Shane rolled his eyes, and begrudgingly walked toward Cathy and Sandy who were standing next to the water fountain talking with two other girls.

  ***

  As prom night approached, Shane began to wonder if he could go through with it. How could he be with a girl when his heart belonged to another? His mother was thrilled he was going, and she had even picked out Cathy’s corsage for him. Patricia had laughed when Shane said he would get Cathy a bouquet of daisies, so to save him from complete disgrace she had told him she would order the flowers.

  As he pulled up in the driveway at Cathy’s house, Shane felt a huge knot tighten in his stomach. While walking to the front door, he had the strongest desire to get back in his car and leave. The front door seemed to grow with each step like the gaping jaws of a great beast about to swallow him. Reaching the door, Shane suddenly found it impossible to press the doorbell.

  Shane had no idea how long he had been standing there when the door suddenly opened wide with a tall, dark-haired man standing there in the doorway. As Shane looked up into the man’s eyes, he wondered if he should run or stay.

  “You must be Shane, come on in. Cathy will be ready in a couple of minutes,” the man stepped back from the door, allowing Shane to enter.

  “Thank you, Sir,” were the only words Shane managed to say as he entered.

  “Let’s go into the living room and get to know each other. Her mother is helping her get ready. You get two women together and time doesn’t seem to matter to them,” Cathy’s father glanced toward the staircase. “So, you’re Steve Michaels’ son? I like your dad. I met him a few years ago, so how’s he doing these days?”

  “He’s doing great. Sir, I was wondering what time do you want Cathy home tonight?” Shane tried to hide the fear churning inside of him. He had heard that Cathy’s father was very strict, so he wanted to know the rules beforehand.

  Hearing this question turned a stern expression to one of relief on her father’s face. “I’d heard you were a decent young man, but your concern for my feelings has proven you are someone I can trust with my daughter. I had wanted her home by midnight, but I think one o’clock will be fine. I hope you don’t disappoint me, Son.” He looked deeply into Shane’s eyes, searching for any deceit.

  “Thank you, Sir. I promise to have her safely home by one o’clock. You have my word on that.”

  “Good, I’m glad we understand each other. So, how do you…. ah, here she comes,” he announced, looking toward the staircase with a smile on his face.

  Shane was surprised how he felt at the site of Cathy as she came down the stairs. It was as though she was caught in one of those slow-motion scenes in a movie when the beautiful woman enters the room.

  He marveled how she seemed to float down the stairs and how there appeared to be a soft glow around her.

  “Hi Shane, you look very handsome tonight.”

  “Ah…what…, thank you,” Shane stuttered, feeling every bit the fool.

  “Shane and I have been getting to know each other, kitten. Now I want you two to have a wonderful time, but first, we need to get some pictures.” Reaching for the camera lying on the coffee table, he motioned for them to stand next to each other.

  “Hurry up, Marcia! These kids have a special night ahead of them.”

  “I’m coming, George. Don’t start without me,” Marcia breathlessly hurried down the stairs. “We need to take several pictures because Shane’s mother called and asked if we would be sure to get plenty of them for her, too.”

  Shane had no idea what all the commotion was about a prom. As far as he was concerned, it was just another school dance. Now that’s just great, mom will have some pictures to show everyone she knows too, he groaned silently.

  After about five minutes of endless picture taking, George set the camera back on the end table. “Okay, that’s enough for now. You kids go have fun, be safe, and I’ll see you at one o’clock.”

  George then turned to look at Shane. “I want you to be careful with my little girl and treat her like a lady.”

  Shane met her father’s gaze, “I will, I promise.”

  ***

  The evening began with dinner at a local restaurant with Chad and Sandy, and then they all went to the prom. Shane was surprised at how much fun he had with Cathy. As the evening progressed, he was surprised to have a new feeling growing inside of him for Cathy – love.

  Chapter 6

  The next few months flew by for Shane. He was thrilled the day of graduation, and now he was looking forward to his plans of joining the military. He had first thought of joining the Air Force or Navy and working toward being a pilot, but at the last minute, he decided to enlist in the Army. Shane could not explain it, but for some reason, he wanted to keep his feet on solid ground.

  “Shane, have you heard anything I’ve said?” Cathy folded her sweater and put it in her suitcase and then zipped it closed. “We are still going to meet Chad and Sally this evening, aren’t we?”

  “Huh, what did you say?” Shane turned to look at Cathy who stood there with an annoyed expression on her face.

  When Cathy received, the letter stating she had been accepted into nursing school, she knew her dream would finally come true. She had wanted to be a nurse for as long as she could remember so now that the time had arrived for her to leave for school, she was excited to get started. “Shane, where is your head today? If we don’t hurry, we’re going to be late.”

  “I know, I’m sorry, so what time are you planning to leave in the morning?” Shane hated the idea of them being apart.

  “I need to be ready by six o’clock in the morning, so I must get home early tonight. You know that I’m going to miss you, right?” Rushing into his waiting arms, Cathy breathed in the scent of his cologne.

  “I know, and I’ll miss you as well, but we’ll see each other in a few months.” Shane tenderly kissed her neck.

  “Well, enough mushy stuff. Come on, I’m starving!” Shane grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door.

  ***

  “Come on you two; it’s still early and besides everyone is going to be there,” Chad said as the waitress returned to gather up their dirty dishes, and then placed the ticket on the table.

  “This is the last time we’ll all be together for a long time, and I promise we’ll have you home by midnight!” Chad looked at Cathy with a pleading expression.

  “I don’t know. I really need to get home and get some rest before tomorrow,” Cathy glanced over at Shane for support.

  “She’s right, Chad. Besides, we’d like to have a little time alone before she leaves in the morning,” Shane turned toward Cathy, giving her a playful wink.

  Snickering, Chad realized any protests would fall on deaf ears. “Well, I don’t want to keep you two from any private time.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Chad walked over to Cathy and gave her a hug, “Take care of yourself and keep in touch, okay?”

  Sally then wrapped her arms around Cathy’s neck, forcing Chad to step aside. “I’m going to miss you, too. Things just aren’t going to be the same around here without you. You’d better write and tell me everything you’re doing, okay?”

  Cathy and Sally had been friends since grade school, and they had gone through each important step life had thrown their way. Cathy could remember when their mothers had taken them to buy their first bras then when they had their first real kiss from a boy.

  “I will, and we’ll talk every night,” Cathy fought back the tears now wetting her cheeks. She knew things would never be the same because she saw it before when her brother had moved away. It always seemed that old friendships would fade away over time as they went in different directions to be replaced with new ones.

  Chapter 7

  The days seemed to drag on after Cathy left for school. The only thing ma
king it bearable were the nightly phone calls and the excitement of preparing for basic training. Shane knew he should have gone to college first, but he could not bring himself to wait. Besides, he could get his degree while serving.

  His parents had begged him to go to college first, but Shane told them this was what he wanted and that he had waited his entire life for this opportunity.

  “You both know how much I want this,” groaning, he stuffed the last of his things in his pack. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

  Patricia’s heart was broken at the thought of him possibly being sent to fight in the Middle East. “I know, dear, it’s just that it would be so much easier on you if you waited and got your degree first.”

  Shane knew she was right, but he had made up his mind. This was something he had to do and waiting was not an option.

  “Son, I know this is important to you, but I want you to promise your mother that you’ll not take any unnecessary chances. I know how you love to dive in before thinking.” Steve patted Shane on the back, with a tear escaping the corner of his eye.

  “Come on, Dad, you know I’m bulletproof,” Shane chuckled, but once he saw the worried expression on their faces, he realized the depth of concern for his safety. “I will, I promise.”

  ***

  The weeks in basic training seemed to fly by for Shane. He loved the hard work and structure, as well as the brotherhood of his fellow recruits. When they were finally allowed to contact their families, Shane jumped at the opportunity. He had called his parents first. It was nice to talk to them, even though, his mother would not stop crying.

  “Come on, Mom. I can’t understand a word you’re saying. Is Dad there? Are you on the speaker phone?”

  “Yes, I’m here, Son. You know your mother is a softie,” Steve’s voice cracked, as he wiped a stray tear from his eye. “We’re just so glad to hear from you. I saw Chad the other day, and he was asking about you. He said he was looking forward to you coming home for a visit.”

  “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too. If everything goes right, I should be able to come home for Christmas.”

  “That would be fantastic,” Steve chuckled at watching Patricia dance and squeal with delight.

  Hearing his mother, Shane could not help but smile. “And I expect some of Mom’s delicious ham and pecan pie.”

  “Don’t you worry about that, Son. I promise to have all your favorites ready when you come home,” Patricia said enthusiastically.

  “My mouth is watering already just thinking about it.” Shane closed his eyes with the image of his mother in the kitchen preparing the holiday feast playing in his mind. “I need to cut this short because I still need to call Cathy. I love you both, and I’ll call again soon.”

  “We love you, too. Take care, and we’ll talk soon,” Steve and Patricia called out.

  Quickly dialing Cathy’s phone number, he listened to it ring several times before going to voicemail. “Damn! Where are you?”

  Shane knew she was probably studying late, but he was disappointed they did not get to talk. “Oh well, I’ll try again later.”

  Shane had tried three more times to get a hold of Cathy, but now instead of ringing her phone went straight to voicemail. “What the hell is going on?”

  He decided to call her parents first thing in the morning and see if they knew why she was not answering her phone.

  ***

  “Oh Shane, it’s terrible!” Mrs. Davis cried. “Cathy was walking home from the library when she was struck by a drunk driver. She’s in the intensive care unit, and they don’t know if she’s going to survive.”

  Her words hit Shane with such force his knees buckled beneath him, causing him to drop to the floor.

  “When did this happen?” His words were a pained whisper.

  “It was last night around 8 o’clock. The car drove right up on the sidewalk where she was walking. We’re scared she’s not going to make it,” Mrs. Davis fought back more tears stinging her eyes.

  With a consuming sense of dread, Shane knew he had to get home as soon as possible. “Don’t think that way, Mrs. Davis. Cathy’s a fighter; she won’t give up. Please tell her that I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  ***

  It had taken several hours to get the paperwork taken care of so he could leave, but Shane finally managed to hop on a flight home. It had felt like an eternity with Mrs. Davis words spinning in his mind. How could this happen? She was so excited to be in nursing school and looking forward to helping people.

  Shane was relieved to see his parents standing there when he got off the airplane. Patricia ran up to him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “I’m happy to see you too, Mom. I only wish it was under better circumstances,” his voice was filled with sorrow as he held his mother tightly.

  “Come on, let’s get you to the hospital,” Steve gently patted Shane on the shoulder. When their gazes met, Shane nodded and then followed his father out to the car.

  ***

  Not a word was spoken on the drive to the hospital for which Shane was grateful. He had no idea how he was going to react once he saw Cathy, so he was thankful not to have to participate in idle conversation.

  As they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital, a sharp pain shot through his body. It had been four years since he had been to this hospital when his grandfather had died from a heart attack. Shane reached for the door handle then said a silent prayer the outcome would be better this time.

  “Come on, Son. You need to get up there and see her,” Steve held the door open and waited for him to gather his strength to face this painful ordeal.

  Life can throw some crappy curves at you, Shane thought to himself as he got out of the car.

  When he had left for basic training, Shane had often wondered what would happen if he was sent to the war. Seeing the returning soldiers who had lost limbs and forced to live with other life-altering issues, he wondered how he would handle such loss. However, nothing could have prepared him for something such as this.

  “Uh, yeah, you’re right.” Taking a deep breath, he followed his parents to the hospital entry.

  ***

  “Oh, thank God you’re here!” Mrs. Davis cried out as she ran up to Shane, throwing her arms around his neck.

  Standing in the hospital hallway outside of Intensive Care Unit with Cathy’s mother clinging to him, Shane glanced at her family members gathered in the small waiting area. Shane could tell by the heartbroken expressions it would not be good news.

  “How is she?” Holding his breath, he dreaded the coming answer.

  “They don’t hold out much hope,” Mr. Davis said as he walked over to Shane and took his hand in his. “You need to get in there now.”

  With a heavy heart, Shane nodded then walked toward the double doors. He felt as though all the sorrow in the world was smothering him. Pushing the door open, he looked ahead to the small room where Cathy was fighting for her life.

  Entering the room, Shane felt as though someone had dropped kicked him in the gut. He had been taught what he would face in war, but nothing could have prepared him for this. The image of Cathy lying in bed, motionless, was beyond comprehension. Her battered and bruised body was barely recognizable. The site of wires and tubes attached to her caused a sense of helplessness burn inside of him. The slow beep of the heart monitor gently sounding in the background caused him to pray for a miracle he knew would never come.

  The brightly lit room failed to remove the darkness, crushing his will to live. Each step, a battle against death, drained all hope of her survival. Taking the final two steps, Shane sat in the chair, leaning his head against the cool, metal of the bed’s sidebar.

  “You’re so frail,” the pained whisper escaped his lips. Shane reached for her hand and paused. “I’m afraid you’ll shatter into a million pieces.”

  After gathering his
strength, Shane reached up and rested his hand on hers.

  “Hi, babe, this sure is a strange way to get me home early for a visit,” tears wet his cheeks. “It sure would be nice if you’d wake up and let me see those beautiful eyes of yours.”

  Reaching up to wipe his tears, Shane felt the slightest movement of her hand.

  Jumping to his feet, Shane leaned in closely, “Cathy, can you hear me?”

  Her eyes flickered, as she struggled to awaken. Holding his breath, he waited.

  “Shane? Is that you?” her voice, a strained whisper.

  “Yes, it’s me. I’m so glad to see you, baby,” his heart fluttered when he felt her hand gently clasp his.

  “I want you to know how special you are and please never forget that, okay?” she gazed into his eyes.

  “Okay, but you don’t need to worry about me now. You need to focus on getting better. I need you, your family needs you. Please don’t stop fighting.” Urgency filled him as he felt her grasp weaken.

  “I want you to know how much I’ve treasured our love and I will keep each memory with me. Please don’t take any unnecessary chances with your life because of this. Please remember your promise.” A tender smile crossed her lips, then she closed her eyes for the last time.

  “Oh, my God, please, no!” Shane cried out. “Please don’t take her.” Shane felt his heart attempt to stop beating in his chest. Tears filled his eyes.

  Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadowy form standing by the window across the room. Turning quickly, he realized no one was there.

  “You need to step back,” the young nurse gently pushed Shane aside. “I need you to go back to the waiting room.”

  “No, I’m staying. She needs me. I need to stay with her.” Not wanting to accept she was gone, Shane refused to release her hand.

  “Shane, it’s time to let her go. Come on, let’s go home.”

  The sound of his mother’s voice pulled Shane back from the brink of insanity.

  “She’s gone, son. You need to let her go.” Clasping his hand, she gave it a gentle squeeze.

  He knew his mother was right. Cathy was gone, but then it hit him. He was alone. How could his happen? They had so many plans for their life together. Looking down, he gazed at the girl who filled his heart with joy and love. The one he thought would become his wife and share his life, but that was not to be. Lifting her hand to his lips, Shane pressed his lips to her still warm skin, “Goodbye, you’ll always be in my heart.”