Steady Eddie - Part 25 (Finale)
Some time after the explosion...
*
Bright flashes filled Ed's mind,
then faces that he'd known.
He saw images unwind,
reliving how he'd grown.
In family life he'd done,
everything he could.
It hadn't been much fun,
so leaving did him good.
Memories of a cave,
trapped there in the dark.
To these Ed was a slave,
they were regular and stark.
Trained at Commando base,
how hard some things had been.
As Marine had earned his place,
some tough times he had seen.
Active service was a thrill,
though killing was a sin.
Your blood or theirs would spill,
somebody had to win...
*
'Nurse!' Ed heard a cry,
a female voice he knew.
'I saw him blink an eye,
and move his fingers too...'
From then it was an hour,
the young lass had to wait.
Ed's eyes regained some power,
'Hi Eddie...it's me...Kate...'
Ed focused on the face,
the shining auburn hair.
His mind began to race,
content to simply stare...
Ed said, 'To see your face,
means so much to me.
I'm lost in time and place,
please tell me, where are we?'
'The Rehabilitation Centre,
at Headley Court, UK.
They flew you here to enter,
I've sat by you to pray.'
Ed's eyes then did a dance,
trying to think on...
'Do you know by chance...
how is my mate Big John?'
'A coma just like you,
but his was just a week.
Yours has been near two,
it's great to hear you speak...'
* * *
Epilogue
Both John's legs replaced,
by straps and metal parts.
Around the ward he paced,
his efforts breaking hearts.
He couldn't join the fight,
so bad thoughts to disperse.
He studied day and night,
to become a Navy nurse.
Ed lost a leg, but gained a wife,
he next became a writer.
Kate of course became his wife,
and researcher for her 'fighter'.
They started with short stories,
about most anything.
Then wrote of battle glories,
and heartbreak they can bring.
Successful they all were,
as their lives went on.
God heard a daily prayer,
from Eddie...and from John...
* * *
The end
Author's Note: Sincere thanks to all
who have supported this series with
regular reading and comments.
Written for:
Anything Goes AG
Hostess: Angelic 51
By Tomfoollery
© 2010 Tomfoollery
(All rights reserved)
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