All for Her

By Robert S. Maiden

This is a story about a young man who finds himself caught up in a deal to save the life of his one true love. If he was not to perform the acts or keep the promise that he had made with Death himself, then the deal would be broken. His love hangs in the balance that consists of appeasing Death as he does it "all for her." Doctors had no hope for her, and Charlie found himself in a hospital chapel. His prayers are answered by neither angel or demon but Death. A deal is offered to Charlie that could be considered a blessing or a curse. A deal that Charlie has no choice but to accept, and as time goes on, the answers are revealed. The deal, if fulfilled, will save his true love's life. How far would you go to save the life of your one true love? What would you do to make sure that they lived? One moment, you're about to ask a question that would change your life forever. The next you're caught up in a deal that will change your life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647010843

Book preview

Chapter 1

March 20, 1945

Today is the day that I will hopefully become the happiest man in the world. I have never thought about marriage before in the past since my life was so full of wants and needs. I know that she will say yes. I can feel it in my heart—she just has to say yes. If not, then I guess I am stuck with a very expensive ring (just a joke). It wasn’t easy, and it took me a long time to come up with the money for the down payment on the house of her dreams. I still can’t believe that my sister gave me the engagement ring that my father used to ask for my mother’s hand in marriage. I know she will like it. I know if they were still alive, they would love her as much as I do. Well, it’s getting close to the time for me to go see her, so I will end this with…

To Natalie,

With love,

Your future husband

Charlie Roberts sat there, reading over his words that he inscribed into his journal. He thought about how corny it sounded, but his girlfriend of three years made him sound like that and write in a way that made him sound foolish to his close friends. As he placed his journal back into the drawer of his nightstand close to his bed, he looked over his one-bedroom garage apartment located in Brookville, Ohio, and he still could not believe that he would be leaving this place once his young lady said yes. Natalie Parks, the girl of his dreams, the one that he wasn’t looking for but was happy when she agreed to go out with him. He started to recall how he and his friend of many years Jim Donahue fought over, who was going to ask her out on a date when they first saw her at the carnival. He recalled pushing Jim into the cotton candy stand and dumping it over as he fell foolishly to the ground. Fortunately, Natalie did not see him push him because she probably would have said no. But boy, was Jim upset when he found out that he got the date and not him. Since then, they have never been separated. As he sat there thinking, a knock came from the front door.

Who is it? he asked.

It’s Jim.

Be right there! Charlie got up and walked over to the door.

Hey, Jim, come on in.

Jim Donahue stepped in and took his hat off. Charlie shook Jim’s hand and offered him a seat. As Charlie sat down opposite, Jim extended his hands out as if he wanted a hug and asked Charlie if he noticed anything different.

Charlie stared at him as Jim turned around. Holy shit! You got stripes! You’re a sergeant. Congratulations!

Thank you, Jim replied. You know you could have probably made lieutenant by now if you hadn’t quit.

Yeah, but I didn’t like the way they ran things. Besides, that was a lifetime ago. I am happy with doing the odd job thing. I really have no boss, I can work when I want to, and I can make an honest living doing what I do. Not that you were ever one of those cops that took anything, Jim.

I never have, and I never will. I am just glad that I earned these stripes based upon my merit.

Yeah, not to mention that your uncle Larry is the police commissioner, Charlie joked.

Hey, that’s not fair. You know he doesn’t work like that. You know I could bust you, and there isn’t anything that anyone can do about it.

Charlie just stood there. He thought that they were kidding each other until Jim smiled.

Oh, you know I am just kidding you. Listen, changing the subject. Did you pick up the ring from my sister?

Yes, here you go.

Charlie took it in his hand and admired it. I still can’t believe that you are going to ask her to marry you. God, the girl has bad taste. Why would she marry an out of job with many talent fool like you when she could marry a sergeant like me?

Oh, come on! We settled that score years ago!

Yeah, but I can still kick you for pushing me like you did. Boy, you have all the luck.

After a brief pause, Jim asked, When are you going to pop the question?

Later on tonight, I am going to meet her at the diner with a rose in one hand and the ring in the other.

Man, you are the corniest. But hey, good luck! Charlie smiled back.

Do you need a ride?

No, I am going to walk. With all this energy that I have, I feel like I can jump the moon in one single bound.

Well, all right then. I guess I will be on my way. I have the night shift, and I have to pound the beats for a little while longer until I can make desk sergeant or lieutenant. I might just stop in tomorrow though, just to see if she told your sorry ass no. That way, I can jump in and sweep her off her feet.

Sure, but I know she’ll say yes.

Okay! You have a good night and be careful out there. Don’t want anyone to mistake you for a burglar! Charlie laughed.

No worries! I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night! said Jim as he saluted him stepping out the door.

What a character Jim turned out to be. He knew that Jim had a thing for Natalie, but he also knew that Jim would never cross the line when it came to their friendship. He paused for a minute and then pulled out the pocket watch that his father had given him before his death and noticed that it was twenty minutes to nine. Okay, it was time to go. Charlie checked his pockets and searched for the ring. Not there. Where is the ring? He double-checked his back pockets, then his front. Before he started to panic, he noticed it sitting on the table next to the chair he was sitting in. Boy, Mama would have been upset if I had lost this. As he looked up to the ceiling and smiled, he thought to himself, M ama, you would have liked her. No, you would have loved her as much as I do. He looked back down at the ring, placed it in his pants pocket, and opened the door and ran down the steps. In his haste, he almost ran over Mr. Federson.

Oh! I am sorry about that, Mr. Federson! Charlie huffed. I didn’t see you there.

Mr. Federson, the landlord, was out throwing away the trash in the trash can underneath the steps that lead up to Charlie’s apartment.

Oh, that’s okay. Where are you off to in such a hurry? You wouldn’t by any chance be going to pick up that lady friend of yours, now, what’s her name again?

Natalie, Charlie jumped in.

Oh, that’s right, Natalie. Hey, how is that young lady nowadays? I can’t say that we have seen much of her.

Abner, who are you talking to out there at this time of night? It was Mrs. Federson. She was wearing a bathrobe and had her hair in curlers.

Oh, it’s young Charley from upstairs.

Who? she replied."

Mr. Federson yelled louder, It is Charley from upstairs! After a pause, he continued, You know, our tenant.

Oh, Charley, how are you doing?

Fine, Mrs. Federson, thank you for asking.

Where are you off to this late at night?

I am off to see Natalie. She is going to get off work, and I wanted to walk her home. What’s that you say? Mrs. Federson said, yelling louder.

Oh, don’t bother yelling. I’ll go and explain it to her. You go on ahead. Say, before you go, when are you going to make an honest woman out of her?

Tonight, I have the same engagement ring that my father gave to my mother when he asked her to marry him.

Oh, you don’t say, Mr. Federson said surprisingly.

What’s that, Abner? Mrs. Federson broke in.

Nothing, honey, I’ll be in in a minute. Mr. Federson looked at Charlie. The woman is almost fully deaf. She can’t hear a thing. You better run on. I’ll explain everything to her.

Charlie thanked him, shook his hand, and ran off.

Good luck, said Mr. Federson. Hope she says yes.

So do I! yelled Charlie, running faster.

Chapter 2

Charlie ran almost all the way there before he had to stop. Oh, shoot! I forgot the rose, he thought. I need a rose. Charlie quickly scans around and saw exactly what he was looking for a blossoming rosebush full of pink flowers. He didn’t think that they would mind if he just grabbed one. So Charlie walked up to bush and grabbed the prettiest flower he could find. Ouch! He pricked his finger on a thorn, but no matter what, it was all in the name of love. He took the flower and held it gently in his right hand. As he walked back to the sidewalk, he could hear the sounds of sirens come from the direction that he had just come from. All of a sudden, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched the ambulance speed by him. The first thought that came to his mind was that of his one true love, Natalie. He dropped the flower that he had been holding and took off running. When he came up the hill, he could see that a crowd had gathered around the street in front of the diner. Charlie was getting that bad feeling worse than before. It couldn’t be. He ran up to the crowd and tried to break through. After a few tries, he made his way through with enough time to see them load someone at the back of the ambulance and close the door. He couldn’t tell who it was, but his gut feeling told him that it was…

Charlie, Charlie.

It was Jim. Charlie turned toward his direction.

Charlie, come here. Let him through, boys.

The other officers gave room for Charlie to get through but were still trying to hold back to press the crowd that had all gathered around.

Charlie, come over here.

He ran over to Jim.

Listen, it’s Natalie.

What!

It was Natalie. She was hit by a car.

Where is she?

They loaded her into the ambulance and are going to take her to the hospital. She is in good hands.

How is she?

Charlie, I don’t want to make light of this, but she looks bad. But don’t worry, I told them that she was a good friend of mine, and they are going to take extra special care of her. But if you want a ride with me, I am going to head up to the hospital.

Sure, Charlie responded.

As the two ran off to the parked police car, Jim jumped in as Charlie got in on the other side. Off they went.

What happened? Charlie asked.

All I know is that I was parked out in front as I watched her come out of the diner. I decide to watch you give her the ring. It was all my fault. I noticed her walking across the street and called for her to come back. That is when that car came up and hit her, he said, pounding his fist against the steering wheel. "I didn’t want her to leave ’cause of what you were planning. I am so stupid. If I had only let her continue walking, she never would have…but that guy who hit her, he was clearly drunk. After he hit her, he came stumbling out of the car once he hit the building across the street. I contacted the ambulance, and they came immediately. But she is in good hands. She will be all right. She just has to. Jim almost shed a tear when he stated that he had decked the guy once he stumbled over to where Natalie was lying.

Yeah, I hit him. I think I broke his jaw, but that is the least that he deserves.

Charlie sat there in a daze, not knowing what to say but just wanting more than anything to get to the hospital.

Before he knew, they arrived at the front of the hospital. Lucky for him, he had a friend as a cop, or else they never would have gotten there on time. They ran into the front where a nurse greeted them.

How can I help you? she asked.

You had a patient come about a few minutes ago? Charlie asked.

Let me check on that. What is her name?

Natalie, Natalie Parks.

Let me check on that. You can wait in the waiting room over there.

But I really want to see her.

Sir, please have a seat in the waiting room. Besides, there are a lot of sick patients here, and you must keep your voice down.

Come on, Charlie. Let the nurse find out we will wait in the waiting room.

Please let me know as soon as you can, will you?

Of course, sir. Please have a seat.

As she pointed in the direction of the waiting room, Jim grabbed Charlie’s arm and lead him toward the direction that the nurse was pointing. They both walked in, and Jim sat down and took his hat off and rubbed his finger through his hair.

Damn, that man! I just wish that I could have just a few more minutes with him.

You need to calm down, Charlie finally said. That isn’t going to do her any good.

What do you mean any good? As far as I can tell, you haven’t gotten mad about this thing that just happened. I knew you didn’t give a shit about her. Jim stood up and walked over to Charlie.

What are you going to do? Hit me like you hit that man? That is my future wife in there. What do you mean I don’t care?

Gentlemen, please. The nurse stepped in. I have told you there are a lot of sick patients in this hospital, and they need their rest. Now, would you please keep your voices down, or I will have to have you removed.

They both looked at her, and Jim walked back over to the chair that he was sitting in and sat back down.

Now that I have your attention, the young lady you were requesting is in the back being seen by the doctors.

Can I—I mean, we see her? Charlie said.

And what is your relationship to the patient? the nurse asked.

I am her… Charlie stopped. He remembered that he hadn’t asked her yet. I mean, I am her boyfriend.

Well, I am sorry, but the doctors are examining her, and only family members are allowed in the back with the patients.

How about me? I am an officer of the law. Jim got up again. I can vouch for him. Hell, he was going to ask her to marry him tonight.

I am sorry, but as I said, we have rules that must be followed. Now, have a seat, and I will inform you as to what is going on as I get the information.

The nurse walked back out of the room, and they both looked at each other.

They sat there for what seemed like hours without saying a word. Charlie finally stood up. I need to do something.

Do you have a cigarette?

No, I gave up smoking.

They are bad for your health.

Charlie turned to walk out of the room when Jim got up and grabbed him by the arm. Listen, I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean anything. I am just mad about this whole thing.

I know, Charlie said. Don’t worry about it. I am going to see if I can find a church or something.

Well, say a prayer for me. I’ll just wait here and let you know if any news comes up.

Thanks. And he walked off.

Excuse me, ma’am.

The nurse put down the file that she had in her hands. I still do not have any news for you.

No, ma’am. I was just wondering whether you had a chapel around here.

Yes, sir, just around the corner up the hall and to your left. You can’t miss it.

Thank you, Charlie said and began to walk the directions that she had pointed out.

As he walked around the corner, he saw a figure of a man leaning up against the wall with his head faced down, looking at his pocket watch. The man closed the watch and stepped forward, but Charlie was too late to move out of the way and bumped into him, almost knocking him down.

Excuse me, the man said in an English accent. Why don’t you watch where you are going? Charlie tried to say something, but the man interrupted him, I am going to be late for my appointment, and pulled out his time piece again and looking at it. Oh, now you have done it. I am late. Then walked off in the direction that Charlie came from without giving him a chance to say anything.

Charlie just turned, looked back and continued on his way.

Chapter 3

He found the chapel and went in. he noticed that there was an older couple sitting at the pews, and without saying a word, he sat in the nearest empty seat. All his feelings came up at once, and he knelt down and cried. Once he felt that he could speak, he began to pray and looked up.

Dear God, please don’t take her. Spare her life. Take mine instead. I will give anything. I will do anything. Please let her live. I know the life that I have lived isn’t worth a hill of beans, but I am begging you, please take me instead. I would gladly take her place if you will let me. Charlie held his hands tight together until he heard a person clearing their throat behind him.

He wiped his eyes and turned, glancing in the direction that the noise was coming from.

Oh, great, he thought. It was the man that he nearly knocked over on his way here. Charlie turned back to the front as if he knew that he was not in the mood for any confrontation, especially here and during all that has happened today. The man tapped him on the shoulder.

Excuse me, sir, would you mind if I had a word with you?

Charlie looked back at him. He could barely see his face due to the dim lighting and the fact that his hat was pushed slightly forward. Charlie felt scared but for what reason he couldn’t explain it.

I’m sorry. Can I help you? Charlie asked.

The man asked again, Do you mind if I have a word with you? But not here, outside in the hall.

Charlie stared into his eyes for a minute, and he somehow got the strength to muscle out the word. Look, if it was about me almost knocking you over, I just wanted to say that I am sorry about that.

Oh, that ole thing don’t pay any mind.

Then what is it that you want to talk to me about?

Well, I figured you could help me, and in return, I could help you.

What do you want?

Sh, someone warned.

Charlie looked back over and noticed that the man across him had placed his finger to his lips, signaling Charlie to be quiet.

Like I said, not here. We don’t want to disturb the others while they are in prayer.

After a brief pause, the man finally stated, It could help your young lady friend, Natalie, I believe her name is.

Charlie whipped around at what he said. The man across him finally shouted, Look, if you want to speak loudly, then why don’t you do that somewhere else?

Quiet down, Fred, you don’t want to get your temperature up. You know your heart condition, the wife said.

Leave me alone. I am all right.

Listen, buddy, this is a house of prayer. So if you are going to pray, would you mind keeping it to yourself? But if you want to have a conversation with yourself, then would you please go somewhere else?

Charlie apologized, and the man turned back to his wife. People like that should be locked away talking to themselves like that.

I know. Leave the poor man alone. He has issues. He heard his wife say.

Charlie turned back toward the man, confused he wasn’t there. So he got up and walked out to the hallway where the strange man was waiting.

Charlie walked up to the strange man who was again looking at his watch. Charlie could see that the stranger was dressed in a black pin-striped suit and wearing a small hat on the top of his head. He hadn’t noticed before, but a cane was draped across his arm as he closed his watch and looked straight at Charlie as he approached him.

Hello, my dear boy. I am glad that you decided to join.

How do you know about Natalie? Charlie asked.

We will answer that all in due time. First of all, let me introduce myself. I go by the name of Joe, he answered as he stuck out his gloved hand. Charlie looked down, and after a brief stare, he took it with his other hand as the two of them shook. Well then, that settles it, Joe continued. You will do nicely. I want to ask you a few questions first. This may seem a little strange at first, but you will get the idea after we have finished our conversation.

First, tell me how you know about Natalie?

My dear boy, that will all be in good