Here is the sixth chapter of Taxi Driver, in case you are behind or would like to reread the previous chapters again, here is everything Taxi Driver related.
https://threeyellowdaisies.ca/category/taxi-driver/
Unfortunately, this is the second last chapter. Next week is the final chapter.
Chapter Six
Three Days Later…
It was a brisk Tuesday morning. It continued to snow, like it had throughout the night. Evan had woken up first, so he decided to take a shower before Elizabeth wakes up.
As soon as he had finished getting dressed, he saw Elizabeth slowly opening her eyes.
“Morning, beautiful.” Evan said softly climbing back in bed to give her a kiss on her forehead.
“We should start packing our overnight bag for the hospital. I made a list of what to pack, so we won’t forget anything.” Elizabeth said trying to find the strength to get out of bed.
Evan and Elizabeth began packing what they needed for their hospital stay.
“I can’t believe we’re going to be meeting our baby boy soon.” Evan said excitedly folding the last onesie on the list, and placing it in their bag.
Elizabeth smiled, “You’re telling me. He has gotten so big. I just want to hold him already.” Elizabeth said, giving Evan a quick kiss on the lips.
“Whoops! I should have brushed my teeth.” Elizabeth said with embarrassment, as Evan let out a chuckle.
Evan made them some bacon, toast and eggs while Elizabeth got ready. They were going to one of their ultrasound appointment.
After they ate their breakfast, they cleaned up and drove to the hospital.
Evan and Elizabeth were getting so happy that the day was almost here.
After they saw the doctor they went to visit his Dad just like they promised.
Before they had walked in, they saw a man they haven’t seen before.
“Hey Elizabeth and Evan. I don’t think you have met, but this is one of my friends, Stephen and his two daughters, Heather and Christina. This is my son Evan, and his wife Elizabeth.”
They both waved at Stephen and his daughters.
“It was nice meeting you two. It was a pleasure catching up with you again, Theodore. I was just leaving. I’ll call you later.” Stephen said as he put on Christina’s coat. Each of his daughter held on to one of his hands as they left the room.
“I’ve missed you Elizabeth. How is he doing?” Theodore asked, as Evan moved the chair over closer to Elizabeth so she can sit down.
Elizabeth looked confused because her and Evan didn’t tell anyone the gender.
“He’s doing great. I just want him to be in my arms already. I’m really excited!” Elizabeth said.
“I can’t wait to see him, too.” Theodore said with some hope.
“Well, sorry to do this, but I am getting hungry, I am going to go to the cafeteria for some lunch. I’ll be back afterwards.” Elizabeth said grabbing her purse, and gave Evan a quick peck on the cheek before leaving the room.
“So how’s Stephen?” Evan asked.
“He’s good. His wife Jessica is here, because she had an ultrasound appointment. They’re excited. He just told me they’re having a boy. Jessica is due in May.” Theodore expressed.
“That’s so exciting!” Evan exclaimed.
“How was your appointment?” Theodore wondered.
“It went well. He should be here within the week. I’m so excited but a bit stressed out.” Evan confessed, although he looked at his dad with what appeared was a tear drop falling.
Evan figured his dad was trying to conceal it, so Evan didn’t bother asking why he was crying.
“So, the baby is coming within seven days? That’s exciting. I’m happy for you, two.” Theodore replied.
“Yeah…” Evan began as if he didn’t what to say next.
There was a slight pause of silence. But Evan knew that he needed to get something off of his chest.
Evan sighed.
“Dad, I have to tell you something.” Evan confessed.
“Yes, son?” Theodore asked.
“I have your super power.” Evan replied.
“Oh, yeah? What’s your story?” Theodore questioned.
“Well, I started picking up this one lady. She was really nice. I didn’t write anything down, but I still remember her story. I would pick her up from a school she works at, I took her to her house and various office stores so she can some school and classroom supplies.” Evan began.
“What else happened?” Theodore asked.
“Dad, you of all people should know that you can’t rush a good story!” Evan jokingly snapped at his Dad.
“Of course, continue.” Theodore said.
“The second time I had saw she had told me I looked familiar to her, but I haven’t seen this girl in all my life. So I became a bit confused, but I brushed it off. She must have gotten me confused with someone else. But she was still determined that I looked like someone she knew.” Evan continued, taking a sip out of his tea, and Theodore nodded.
“So, after I saw her three times, I was able to read her. I can tell that she needed to stop by this address. I picked up on the vibe that she had good news to share. She knew that good news is always delivered in person. The GPS typed in this address that I needed to go. To be honest, at first I didn’t recognize it, but it looked familiar. I didn’t realize, until I saw the neighbourhood but it was my childhood house. I totally had forgotten the address since I haven’t thought about it in a long time.” Evan said.
“So, did you figured out why you looked familiar to her?” Theodore asked.
“Yes, I did. As it turned out. She remembered you, and how much you have helped her. I guess you and I look a lot alike.” Evan answered.
“Oh, that makes sense.” Theodore interrupted.
“Dad, I’m telling you a story! So I had driven her to my childhood house, because you and mom still lived there. I had gotten a reading from her, saying she needed to thank you in person.” Evan cleared his throat.
“Yes, I remember her. Her name was Alice. She was the lady I helped get out of that abusive relationship. I remember seeing her that day.” Theodore confessed.
“Yes, she had won some teacher award, wanted to know if you could go with her since without you she wouldn’t be a teacher. She was saying this news was too important for a letter. I stayed in the car, because I didn’t want you to see me.” Evan confessed.
“Oh, why not? I would have been happy to see you!” Theodore added.
“Yes, but I didn’t know how to explain it to you at the time, so I just sat there waiting for you two to finish. She wanted you to attend the award presentation. I can tell she was really proud of herself and you were happy for her.” Evan happily said.
“Yes, I was extremely happy for her. I don’t know if you ever knew this, but she became an grade 10 English teacher. She loved teaching her students To Kill A Mockingbird.” Theodore explained.
“Oh, yeah, that was one of Sarah’s favourite books. I remember when she made me read it, and then she begged me to watch the movie with her. I didn’t think I would like it, but I loved it. I mean, not as much as Sarah did, obviously.” Evan expressed.
“Did Sarah ever tell you that her favourite teacher was Ms. Carter?” Theodore asked.
“Yeah, of course, I knew that. I don’t see how that is relevant.” Evan pondered.
“Well, I didn’t know until I went to the awards, that her last name was Carter. The person that I helped was Alice Carter. At the time when I helped her, I had no idea that she would become my daughter’s favourite teacher. And I also had no idea that she was going to inspire Sarah to become a lawyer because of their passion of To Kill A Mockingbird. She always dreamt of becoming a lawyer just like Atticus.” Theodore explained.
“Wow, that is so cool! I’m so glad you had helped and inspired so many people. You’re amazing!” Evan cheerfully said.
“Son, I have to tell you something.” Theodore confessed.
“Yeah?” Evan said with a bit of confusion wondering what he was going to say.
“I knew that you had this super power.” Theodore admitted.
“What? I have hid this from you for no reason?! Why didn’t you tell me?” Evan said angrily.
“Hey, calm down. Let’s be civil. This was something I wanted you to know.” Theodore explained trying to calm down Evan, which he wasn’t to successful with.
“No, you had no right to do that. I had no idea how to approach this to you. And here, all this time, you knew about it. And you had this secret power, too. You’re just unbelievable right now.” Evan said, as he began pacing the room.
“Look, do you really want to know why I kept this from you?” Theodore asked.
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” Evan expressed, with a deep sigh.
“I kept this from you, because I knew if I have told you this, you would have stopped living your life for me.” Theodore explained.
“What? I don’t understand.” Evan said, sitting in the chair, trying to calm himself down.
“You see, your Grandfather Thomas did the same thing to me. He never told me about this either until he was on his death bed. He told me it wasn’t fair for me to stop living my life.” Theodore said.
“Whoa! Hold up! My Grandfather had this, too?!” Theodore shouted.
“Yes, he did. Something he had told me was that there could only be two of us with this super power at a time. It is carried only in the male’s gene. So when a father has a grandson from his son, it means he will eventually die when the grandson is born. That’s why I knew you were having a boy. I was very healthy before my cancer diagnosis. If I had told you then you wouldn’t have wanted a baby. I couldn’t deprive you of the greatest joys in life which is becoming a father.” Theodore explained, trying to reach out and hold Evan’s hand.
“So, you basically only have one week left?” Evan said sobbing, holding his Dad’s hand.
“Yes, son. That’s it. But I know you are going to be an amazing father.” Theodore confessed.
“Isn’t there anything I can to do help? There’s got to be way!” Evan said.
“No, I’m sorry. It has to end like this.” Theodore expressed.
“I’m not going to let you die!” Evan said in denial.
Theodore sighed.
“Well, yeah, had I known I was basically going to kill you, I wouldn’t have had a baby. I would have picked having my father, than being one myself. I don’t care about what Elizabeth thinks. I wish I wasn’t having a baby.” Evan said with so much anger.
Just as Elizabeth was about to walk in the room, she had heard what Evan was truly feeling about having their baby. She didn’t know what to do, but she began crying. She didn’t know why Evan had suddenly changed his mind about fatherhood.
She waited a few seconds to ensure that Evan didn’t know that she had heard him. She quickly wiped away her tears, as she had entered the room.
“So, what are we talking about?” Elizabeth asked.
Evan slowly got out of his chair and let go of Theodore’s hand.
“Uhm, nothing much. Just came to the realization that Dad’s time is almost gone. The end is coming faster than I realized.” Evan lied, as Elizabeth sat in the chair.
“Yeah, listen, maybe I should go to the gift shop or something. I feel like you two have unfinished business to discuss. I feel like I was interrupting you.” Elizabeth had left faster than she had entered the room.
“That was weird…” Evan said.
“Yes, indeed.” Theodore began. “Look, I’m sorry, son, but keeping this from you was the best thing I could do. Let’s just enjoy what we have left, together.” Theodore confessed.
“Yeah, I guess so.” Evan said, trying to fight the tears.
“Also, not a word about this your mother. I have went on all of this time without her knowing this.” Theodore said.
Evan nodded, and sat down in the chair. He then reached and held on to Theodore’s hand. The snow began to fall, once again.
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