Chance of Rain

Hudson Residence
Arlington, VA

Jack Hudson was lying down on the swing in his porch, his upper body in the arms of his wife, Susan Thomas. He watched as the cars went by, one, two and then, finally blissful silence. He touched Sue’s knee and motioned for her to look at him. She shifted a little, perfect; she had a good view of his lips.

“Have you been crying again?” Jack wanted to know, the concern evident on his face.

“No…” Sue lied, quickly wiping a tear away. “Something got into my eye.”

“Liar, lair, pants on fire,” he scolded gently in a raspy voice.

Well, he really couldn’t blame her. Sue was thinking about her life. She remembered her wedding; it was set just one year after Jack officially started courting her. That day, she became the happiest woman on earth.

Alas, their wedded bliss did not last. Two years later, after passing out in the bullpen one day, Jack found out that he had third-stage lung cancer. Chemotherapy wasn’t going to help so he didn’t have more than 10 months to live.

“It’s good to know that at least someone thinks I’m hot,” Sue stroked his hair, weaving her fingers through it.

“It'd better be just someone and not someones. I don't like sharing," Jack pouted. "You know, I’ve dreamt about this. Me here and not in some hospital. And you being with me, looking so beautiful,” he smiled.

“How can I be beautiful? I’m fat,” Sue complained yet lovingly patted her enormous belly. Three more months before they get to meet their bundle of joy. “They” being a very big possibility.

“But you’re fat in a beautiful way,” Jack pointed out, brushing his knuckles against her swollen belly. “Sue, if we have a boy, will you give him my name?”

“Yes,” she whispered, almost ready to cry again. “Do you regret marrying me?”

“No…I have a perfect life because I have you,” Jack sighed and closed his eyes. His breathing became shallower and he drifted off to sleep. Sue blinked back her tears. She watched everyday, as he grew weaker and more easily tired. She feared the day when he wouldn’t even be able to sit up on his own and speak.

Sue kissed the top of Jack’s head and brushed her palm across his headline. She would love him everyday no matter what…because love never dies.

And at that moment, the first drop of rain that Virginia had seen in three months fell on to the ground. As if the heavens and God himself finally took pity on the couple and started to cry for them.

FIN

Oh, goodness, Mel ...

How is it possible to cry and smile at the same time while reading something like this? The sheer poetry of your imagery - impending life and impending death - captured by that one moment of love ...

Wonderful writing.

beautiful!!!!

beautifully written!

Mel, why I are you doing it to me? I will be fearing every moment when I will see new story from you... it's so touching story but I hate the thought Jack's child won't know its own father...

Thanks for this story but next time... please, let us a hope!


Restie

i'm sitting here doing this

it was beautifully written !!! hope to see one more story here !!!

Wowzers! That was a small bit, but it sure packed a powerful punch!

I'm not a fan of ditto-ing, but I think he said it all

Wonderfully written - terribly sad!

Beautifully written but very very sad

Wow, that was awesome writing but sad.

What an incredible post, so full of emotion, sadness and despair but also hope and a small insight to the future.

Fantastic

Soph

Melissa? What did you do???????

It was beautifully written, but so, so sad!

so powerful and sooo good....

Man....that was powerful!

that was very strong!

I'm crying...That was absolutely beautiful Mel!



A new season, full of new beginnings, and new life...

Wow. I just lost a friend to lung cancer.......she lived 17 months from the time of diagnosis...never smoked.....never around smokers. She lived long enough to see her son's first child. You have captured what their family lived...and in such a short amount of space. Wonderfully done.

Jill

How powerful!! Your writing was wonderfully sad and the fact of Jack having to die.. and leaving Sue and their child

Great Job!

That was gut wrenching...I needed a warning before reading it, I didn't have my tissues and chocolate at hand...
Powerful writing...

That was amazing, yet so sad at the same time. Please post more soon!!

Melissa that was soooooooooo sad. Every family's nightnmare come true. But you wrote it so beautifully. Jack and Sue in each other' arms. Sue supporting Jack to the end in spite of her pain not only losing her husband but the father of her child. Being so brave, when in so much pain. The tears from Heaven were so beautiful. I took care of my brother when he died of cancer and it was so hard, but such precious time together. God's grace is beyond any understanding we have. He is faithful.

Powerful seems the best word to describe the scene, Mel. Just awesomely done, girl.

I'm with Trece, that was very powerful Mel. I cried and smiled.

I have a sister who is battling lung cancer. She is eleven years older than I and lives with her husband about three hours from me. As you can imagine, this moved me greatly, but I was glad to read it. I like what Anne said here.

Sad, but oh so beautifully written!!!

Joy

Melissa, that was heartbreaking but done with a great deal of gentleness. It made me ache for them. Thank you for sharing .

aww :tears: