The Final Request

The Last Request

No, I wont be coming home again I sighed heavily, clutching at my side as pain wracked my body. And I guess Ill never see Alice again. I really wanted to propose, but I didnt make it in time Why is all this happening to me?

Try not to worry so much, said the nurse, managing a friendly smile as she noticed my pale face. Youll be just fine.

Somehow, I doubt it, I muttered, voice thick with misery.

After that, I lay watching in horror as they prepared me for surgery.

*****

Id never liked hospitals. That mistrust bloomed in childhood hospitals were always a place of pain, and the worst part was, nobody ever thought to apologise for the emotional trauma they caused.

“Oh, don’t be such a baby, Jack,” the nurse would smile, as she pricked my fingertip for blood. “You’re a big boy now, off to school soon, but youre blubbing like a little girl. Arent you ashamed of yourself?”

Id stare through tears, desperate to pull my hand away, and continue to sob because escape was impossible. Shame? I didnt feel that. It just hurt, and it wasnt fair.

Walking home with Mum from the childrens clinic, Id repeat one thing I was never going back to hospital for anything.

Never. Id rather die than set foot in that place again! Id declare, outright.

Come now, son, Mum would soothe. Doctors are there to keep people well so they can live longer. Theyre good people, you mustnt be afraid.

Good people, right, Id snivel, glancing at my poor finger. They should treat themselves, and just leave me alone!

You hardly need to imagine how I handled a trip to the dentist for an extraction. I screamed so loudly through the closed window, people in the street must have heard.

Those memories Not my favourite.

So it wasnt a shock that I avoided everything medical as an adult, keeping well clear of white walls, doctors and nurses as much as humanly possible.

But fate cares nothing for our plans, and one day, with agonising appendicitis, I ended up in hospital anyway. I was in such pain that Alicethe girl I was meant to take out for dinnerhad no choice but to call for an ambulance.

You dont need an ambulance, Ill be alright, I begged.

Dont be daft! I can see how much pain youre in. Its probably appendicitisyoure just like I was. You need to see someone.

And thats how I found myself, quite against my will, in St Thomass Hospital. Well, you can imagine how delighted I was

Just the thought of surgeons poking around inside me filled me with dread. And when I saw two orderlies trundling a silent trolley past, carrying someone who clearly hadnt made it, the sense of doom only got heavier.

Thats it, I wont make it home. Ill never see Alice againnever get to propose Why is life so unfair?

Dont be so glum, the nurse had said again. Your operation is straightforward, youve arrived just in time. If youd left it later, there might have been complications.

She was rightthe surgery went without a hitch, no disasters, nothing like the horror stories Id built up in my mind. They even knocked me out before starting. When I came round, all the worst was behind me, and by evening, I was in an ordinary ward.

I slept soundly, waking only for a few seconds when the nurses changed my drip, then drifted right back off.

***

By morning, I realised I wasnt alonean elderly man had been moved into my room.

Just what I need, I thought, grumpy. Hell be yapping my ear off about his life story all day

Truth be told, I didnt want to talk to anyone at all. Not even Alice. I just sent a message saying I was fine, not to worry, folded away my phone and tried to work out why Id landed in hospital at just the worst moment.

Alice and I had lived together for over a year, and last night Id planned to propose. Booked a table at her favourite restaurant, arranged with the band to play her favourite song, and paid extra for the waiter to bring over a special dish containing the ring.

Id wanted it to be perfect.

But fate had other ideas. Instead of chatting about our future over dinner, I was lying in a hospital bed beside some old gent.

To my surprise, the pensioner didnt try chattering away. He just greeted me politely, then sat quietly muttering to himself as he rang and rang someone on his mobile. By evening, his phone died, and since he didnt have a charger, there was nothing he could do.

I watched as tears slowly etched tracks down the old mans faceand felt a twinge of guilt for having been annoyed at him. Clearly, he was in some difficulty.

After a pause, I pulled myself upright and, trying to sound calm, asked if everything was alright.

Its my son. I cant get a hold of him, he said, with a faltering voice.

He doesnt know youre in hospital? I asked, astonished.

He does, said the old man. The nurse phoned him when I was brought in. But he wont speak to me. We had a falling out half a year ago, just before my birthday. He wanted to send me to a care home and sell my house, but I refused. Not because of the housewell, not just because.

He went on to tell me how, a few days earlier, hed ended up in hospital after a heart attack. The doctors had stabilised him, but said hed need surgery.

Theyve booked me in for surgery the day after tomorrow. But I worry I wont last that long

Nonsense! I said, trying to put him at ease. Doctors are there to keep us going. Itll be fine. I only had my appendix out yesterday and here I amalive and kicking.

The old chap gave a wry smile but didnt bother pointing out the difference between an appendix and a dodgy heart.

I only worry because Ive left behind one soulmy dog, Toby. Hes all alone out there. I just wanted to ask my son to look after him, or at least find him a decent home if I dont come back. My neighbours are already overrun with pets, so they wont take him in. My son could have granted me this one last wishafter all, hes set to inherit the house and garden hes so desperate to sell. But he wont answer, not even when the nurse called.

The old mans sadness was catching.

I just hope someone sees to Toby. I cant bear the thought of him being left out on the street.

I tried not to react. Daft old chap, worrying about a dog before a major heart op, I thought. But as he told me more about how hed found Tobytied to a railing on a rainy day, unwanted and alone, just after his birthday, right after hed dreamt of his late wife leading a dog on a leadthe mans sentimentality made sense.

Wed been going through a rough patch, my son and I. My wife has been gone for five yearsbless her souland my son, he just couldnt see past his plans. The night before my birthday, I dreamt of her with a dog Next day, there he was, abandoned, and from that day on, Tobys been my best friend.

For weeks, the old man had tried to find Tobys original owners, posting notes up around town, but to no avail.

Hes more than a friend, more than a pet, he said. Hes given my life meaning again.

All night, I thought about the old man and his dog. How could a son ignore his own father, left frightened in a hospital ward, with only a dog for company at home? It was hard to fathom.

That night, I even dreamed of a dog who looked an awful lot like a little corgi, wandering the streets, lost and sorrowful, while I trailed after, not really knowing why, but somehow feeling it was my duty.

I snapped out of sleep to hear the old man gasping for breath, clutching his heart.

Shall I call for a doctor? I leapt up, rushing to his bedside.

No, no, not just yet Please, ring my sonAndrew. His numbers written there on the notepad.

My hands shook as I took out my phone and dialled.

Hello? Is this Andrew? Im in hospital with your father

I realised then that I didnt even know the old mans full name.

Arthur Barnes, he rasped, just loud enough to hear.

Arthur Barnes. Hes taken a turn and really needs you to come, if you can. If you cant, he wants you to find a good home for his dog, Toby.

Is he dying? Andrew asked, his voice suddenly alert. Which hospital was it againSt Thomass, right?

Yes, St Thomass, on the third floornumber 314, I replied, rattling off the address and hanging up.

I dashed to find the night nurse and blurted out what had happened. I was back at Arthurs side as the doctor arrived, but there was nothing more to be done.

Arthurs heart had failed before the sun came up.

***

Your father died with me holding his hand, I told Andrew the next day, when he finally appeared.

Oh well, at least he went quickly, Andrew shrugged. It wouldve been worse if hed lingered. Ive a family to take care of, you know, no time to play carer. This is better, really

He asked youhis last requestplease find a home for Toby.

Toby? Oh, the dog? Andrew snorted. Its just a stray he picked up. No use to me. Dad refused the care home because of that mutt. Told him it would be better, but he never listened

It doesnt seem much to ask, given youre getting the house, I said pointedly.

Andrew just scooped up his fathers battered phone and notepad and left without another word.

I lay back in bed, reflecting sadly. Arthur had been seventy-seven, but folk live to one hundred these days; with luck, he could have too. Fate had other plans.

Now even Toby was left, homeless and unwanted.

I doubt Andrew will bother with his fathers request, I thought. Hell just sell the house. Toby will end up on the streets, lucky if a neighbour puts food out for him.

That night I dreamt of Arthur wandering the streets, calling for his little dog, tears running down his face. I watched from afar, unable to hold back my own tearssomething Id avoided for years.

The strange dreams kept coming, even after I was home again. Every morning Id wake up lost in thought.

You alright, Jack? Alice asked, her blue eyes narrowing with concern.

Im fine, just thinking.

About what? she pressed gently.

That old chap from my hospital room Arthur. He had no one except this dog, Toby. His son wouldnt even answer the phone. Now Arthurs gone, and I told his son about Toby, but I bet he didnt give it a second thought. The house mattered much more to him. He even rang the estate agent about selling it before the funeral. I keep thinking about the dog, even though Ive never seen him. Poor thing

Lets go look for him, Alice said, surprising me. If hes still hanging around, lets bring him home with us.

Youre serious? You dont mind having a dog?

Not at all! It would be lovely to have a pet, going for walks and all that. Lets go tomorrow but we need to stop at the shop first. Chocolate and a jar of coffeealways smooths things along.

Alice was right. A little Cadburys and Tescos best roast bean, and the lady at hospital reception was soon writing down the address for us, though shed been steadfastly refusing before.

Forty minutes later, we pulled up outside Arthurs bungalow. No sign of a dog, so we wandered up to the gate, glancing around.

A woman from next door spotted us.

Hello, are you looking for someone? Nobodys lived there since Mr Barnes passed away.

I know, I told her. I was with him at the end. He was a lovely man.

She tutted, Terrible what happened. Arthur was a real gentlemanrare these days. Not like his son, who didnt even bother with a proper funeral. All he cares about is flogging the house. And poor Toby was left out front, waiting by the gate for days, looking at the road for Arthur. He howled the night Arthur died, and the night after. Andrew didnt like it took him away somewhere. Not seen him or the dog since

Do you know what Toby looked like? I pressed.

Oh, hes a little corgihandsome lad. Look, Ive a photo on my phone.

It was a sweet dog, with big brown eyes and those huge ears. Andrew said hed found someone to take him, but who knows. Andrew never liked animalsnever did, since a child. Strange, him being so different from Arthur

We thanked her and left, both of us quiet and sombre. We drove along a few of the nearby streets, asked passersby, but no one had seen a stray corgi. I rang Andrew, but my calls went straight to voicemail clearly blocked.

Lets just hope hes alright, Alice whispered, though I could tell she doubted it herself.

And then fate, once again, took control.

There was a snarl-up ahead on the main road, so Alice turned onto a quieter lane to save time. A few miles on, she slowed and pointed there, sat patiently at the edge of the grass, was a little corgi. The same dog from the neighbours photo.

Jack, is that Toby? she asked.

Looks just like him, I said, opening the door and stepping out.

We approached gently, calling his name. Toby! Toby, its alright

The dog turned, startled, then stared, uncertain. I crouched, stretched out my hand and coaxed. Its alright, Toby. I knew Arthurhe wanted you looked after. Would you like to come home with us?

Toby paused, sniffed my hand, and then, magically, I saw ita tail-wag, then his little face softened. It was as though he could still smell Arthur on my skin. He nuzzled in, and tears welled up in my eyes. Alice, too, was wiping hers away. Soon, the three of us were driving home together, happier than wed been in weeks.

Toby now had a new home, and gentle hands that, in some small way, still carried the scent of Arthur Barnes. What more could any dog ask for?

***

So much for looking after the dog, I muttered as we got home that evening, shaking my head. Andrew was only interested in the house. I wish I could give him a piece of my mind.

Theres no point, Jack, Alice replied. We found Toby and hell be safe with us now. Life deals with people like that in the endone day Andrew will grow old, and his own children may turn away. Then hell realise what he lost, when its too late.

Maybe youre right I agreed, watching as Toby dozed, wagging his little tail in his sleep.

I think I knew who he was dreaming of.

Give Arthur our love, Toby, I whispered, quietly reaching for the box with Alices ring inside.

That very evening, I finally proposed. Not in a fancy restaurant, not with a grand gesture, but honestly, at home, there and then.

And Alice said yes, without a moments hesitation.

Sometimes, I learned, you cant wait for life to hand you the perfect moment. Sometimes you have to seize it, here and now, before it slips away.

And that, I think, is the greatest lesson Arthur ever gave me.