That Morning, Michael Sergeyevich’s Breathing Grew Worse. “Nikita, I Don’t Want Anything—No Doctors,…

That morning, Michael Gregorys breath grew short each inhale ragged, pulling him closer to the end.

Nick, he whispered, with a desperate fatigue, I dont need anything, none of your medicine, nothing. All I ask is let me say goodbye to Buddy. Please. Take all these off me, just let me say goodbye

He nodded weakly towards the tangle of drips tethering him to the hospital bed.

Nick stood by, torn. If he disconnected anything, he wasnt sure he could get Michael as far as the front door.

A crowd of men from the ward had gathered together.

Nick, please, there must be something you can do. Its not right, came one.

I know, I know, Nick replied, running his hand through messy hair. But its the hospital, everythings meant to be sterile here

Oh, sod that, another grumbled. Look at the poor soul, cant even leave this world on his own terms.

Nick understood truly, he did. But what power did he really have? Then something inside him snapped. To hell with this argument, to hell with the family business. If sacking him was the price, so be it. Spinning around, he locked eyes with Annie. In them, he saw admiration and something like hope.

Nick bolted out the door, hearthammering. He found Buddy, waiting by the railings. Buddy, come here, lad. Quiet now with any luck, no one will notice. Lets go to Michael.

Just as Nick pushed the door open to return, he was blocked. There stood Emma Edwards, arms crossed.

And what do you call this? she challenged.

Emma, please Im begging you. Five minutes. Let them say their goodbye. I know what it means, I truly do. Sack me if you must.

There was a tense pause where the only sound was the clock ticking overhead. Then Emma, without a word, stepped aside.

Alright. Ill take the fall too, then, she said, and her voice was softer.

Buddy, with me!

Nick sprinted down the corridor, Buddy bounding by his side. Ahead, Annie had already pushed open the ward door. Buddy seemed to sense what lay ahead with one leap, he was at the bedside, paws pressed to the sheets, muzzle nuzzling Michaels chest. The room had fallen still. Michaels eyes fluttered open, glimmering against tears. He tried to raise his hand, but the lines tethered him down. In one last defiant surge, he pulled them free himself.

Buddy! You came

The dog laid his head tenderly against Michaels heart. Michaels weak hand stroked his fur, once, twice. A weary but blessed smile lingered, and then his hand slid away.

Someone whispered, The dogs crying

Nick came close. Buddys eyes were shining, his muzzle damp.

Thats enough now. Come on come on

***

Nick perched on the hospitals iron railing, his eyes hollow. Buddy had gone into the shrubs to curl up. One of the men from the ward the one who always gave away his meat pies first wandered over and quietly offered a pack of cigarettes. Nick looked at him, about to protest that he didnt smoke, then just took one and lit up, drawing the smoke gratefully.

Annie settled beside him, rubbing her sore red eyes and sniffling.

Annie this is my last day.

Why?

I came here first as punishment from my dad. Then I wanted to show him I could do it make a success, earn the business he promised me. But I cant. Its not about the company. I just cant. Ill go home, tell him straight his son is useless. Im sorry, Annie.

He didnt wait for her reply, just walked away. Packed his things, signed his resignation, and was done with it. Annie watched from her window as his Mercedes pulled up by the entrance. He left the door open, called something into the bushes, then waited by the car. Buddy lingered, scrutinising Nick with mournful eyes, then finally jumped into the passenger seat.

Annie was sobbing again.

Youre not useless! Youre the best of us

***

A couple of days later, Annie saw a man walking the hospital halls with the chief doctor a man who looked so much like Nick, he could only be his father. She stormed down the stairs, all righteous fury.

Are you Nicks dad?

The head doctor gave her a puzzled look. Annie, whats this about?

Please, Mr. Harris, you can sack me after but is it you?

Vladimir Oliver, in turn, stared curiously at the freckled slip of a woman before him.

Yes, I am.

You cant! Annie cried. Do you hear me? You cant think of Nick as useless! Hes the only one who dared, the only one who made it possible for a man to say goodbye to his friend before the end. Hes got a heart, and hes got a soul!

Without waiting for a reply, she hurried back inside. Vladimir broke into a smile.

Did you see that?

Mr Harris replied quietly, What do I do with her? Shes a good girl, but always insisting on the truth.

And whats wrong with that?

Its not always easy, thats all

***

Three years passed.

A family stepped out of the doors of a grand, red-brick house. Nick pushed a pram, Annie at his side holding a lead attached to a huge, pampered dog. They strolled toward the rivers edge, and Annie let Buddy off-lead.

Mind you dont go too far, Buddy! she called.

At once, the old dog bounded away, crashing through the grass toward the water. Not two minutes later, the baby in the pram gave a wail, and Buddy was back in a flash, peering anxiously into the buggy.

Annie laughed.

Nick, looks like we wont be needing a nanny. No need to dash, you daft thing Sophie only lost her dummy.

The child soon drifted off again, and Buddy, satisfied all was well, gave one final gaze at the sleeping baby before hurtling across the grass after a butterfly.