Here is the seventh and final 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/
Chapter Seven
Meanwhile…
Elizabeth decided she was done browsing around the gift shop, until something drew her attention. She knew she had to immediately buy it.
She decided to go back up to see Theodore and Evan. She hopped on the nearest elevator and pressed button four, and waited for the doors to close, suddenly someone had extended their arm in the nick of time. It was a gentleman about her age. He was able to hop on to the elevator as well.
“Good afternoon”, he said as he pressed button five.
“Hi,” Elizabeth said, patiently waiting for the elevator to reach the fourth floor.
“I’m visiting my mom. She had surgery yesterday.” He said, making conversation.
“Nice, I hope she is okay. I’m visiting my father-in-law. Have a great day!” She said, as she waved back, hopping off the elevator.
She then walked down the long hallway, thinking about what she would say to Evan after he had said something so hurtful. Tears began to roll down her cheeks.
Finally, after that long walk to Theodore’s room, she wiped all of her tears before she knocked on the door.
The knock then alerted Theodore, who was lost in thought at the time.
“Come in!” Theodore said, not knowing who it was.
“Hey, I just need to talk to Evan. Alone. If that’s okay?” Elizabeth said.
“Sure. I’ll be right back, Dad.” Evan said squeezing his Dad’s hand before departing the room.
“I heard what you had said to Theodore.” Elizabeth confessed.
“Babe, what are you talking about?” Evan said all confused.
“That you wished you weren’t having a baby!” Elizabeth raised her voice a bit.
“There is something I have been keeping from you.” Evan began.
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” Elizabeth asked, trying to fight back the tears, again.
“Look, you can’t tell my sisters, and especially not my mother. Promise?” Evan asked.
“Okay, I promise.” Elizabeth said meaningfully.
“My dad was born with this super power, if you will call it that. He has been able to help others deal with their problems.” Evan confessed.
“So, he’s like what? A therapist on the side? Or something?” Elizabeth wondered.
“No, not exactly. Let’s take a walk around the hospital, instead of just standing here. Like when he was driving his cab, he was able to detect what was actually happening in his clients’ lives. Like he met your dad awhile back.” Evan replied.
“What about my dad?”
“Our memories must have gotten altered as we grew up. My dad told me that our dads go way back. He also said that he stopped Deryck from robbing a bank in order to help your grandparents, since they didn’t have a lot of money at the time. He couldn’t find a job, so he resorted to rob a bank. Because my dad stopped him from doing that, they became really good friends, and you and I got to hang out a lot when we were babies and toddlers. In fact our Godparents are now our in-laws.”
“That is really crazy. How come my dad never told me this?”
“Maybe he was embarrassed. But anyway, I’m getting off track now. My dad was able to help out so many people like your father make better choices for themselves. I’m proud of him. He has an amazing legacy. But what he failed to tell me was that…” Evan said, but he paused to clear his throat because his eyes became glossy.
“Let’s sit. You seem really distressed.” Elizabeth said, as they walked over to chairs in the seated area.
“See, this secret power is passed down a father to his son, so my sisters don’t have this ability, like I do. The same thing has happened to me before, I took people to places they didn’t realize they needed to go. It happened countless of times. All this time, I felt like I had to hide this from everyone, but I actually didn’t. My dad knew I had this whole time. My dad was born with this, just like I was. And so was my grandfather.”
“Okay, but I don’t see how this resulted in you saying that you don’t want a baby.” Elizabeth said with sadness.
“See, that’s the thing. There can only be two of us that have this magical power at a time. So, because we are having a son, he will be born with this, which means the world doesn’t need my dad anymore.” Evan said, as he sobbed.
“So, you’re saying that’s how he knew we were having a son? Because he knew he was dying.” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes. I said that if I had knew that us having a baby boy, would result in my dad dying, I would have waited a few more years, or something. Or just adopted, or anything so I could have had more time with him.”
“Honey, listen. I know this must be tough for you, and I somewhat get everything, although this has been a lot to take in. But, just know that your dad did a lot of great things. He has helped many people. He brought us together, which I am really happy. Eventually, we all have to go through those gates, he is just going there before us. With his passing, he will be able to be reunited with all of the other people that have passed before him. It doesn’t mean that we won’t ever see him again. His memory will live on in us. In our baby. So, don’t be sad. Be glad that he was able to live such an amazing life.” Elizabeth said, as she hugged Evan.
Evan released himself from the hug, to sob in his hands.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. His memory will live on. This isn’t the end.” Evan admitted, reaching out and touching Elizabeth’s stomach, and felt him kick.
They both laughed, through their tears.
“Just know that your dad wouldn’t want you hate yourself. He wanted to live out your life to the fullest, just like he had.” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth’s words really did comfort Evan.
They decided to go back to his dad’s room.
When they had walked in, Elizabeth pulled out her gift from the gift bag. It was a blue onesie that read “My Grandpa loves me” with a big red heart.
Evan and Theodore both smiled.
“Well, Dad, we should getting go, dinner is going to be here soon. We love you so much.” Evan said as they gathered their belongings.
They each gave him a kiss good bye, before departing from the room.
When they got back, they ate dinner, and began getting ready for bed.
Elizabeth had woken up in pain, as she noticed her water just broke.
“Evan! It’s happening!” Elizabeth yelled as she changed her clothes.
Evan took off the sheets so he can eventually clean them. He was feeling really happy, until… the phone rang.
He ran to his phone and answered it.
“Hey, it’s me, Sarah, sorry for calling this hour, but I just got off the phone with one of dad’s doctors.”
“Yeah, bad news I assume?” Evan asked, fully knowing what Sarah was going to say.
“Yeah, they are telling us he doesn’t have a lot of time left. They have sedated him since he has been in a lot of pain.”
“Yeah, I gotta take Elizabeth to the hospital, do you think you can call Olivia?” Evan asked.
“Oh, wow! Is it happening?”
“Yes.” Evan said nervously.
“Well, I gotta call Olivia, so I’ll meet you there. I love you.” Sarah said.
Evan and Elizabeth grabbed their overnight bag, and hurried over to the hospital. They eventually met up with Olivia and Sarah. Their husbands stayed with the children since they were all too young to understand.
Evan and Elizabeth excused themselves because a nurse was escorting them to their delivering room.
“When you have our baby, my Dad will pass away, just like when my parents had me, my grandpa died. I would like to spend the last few hours with my Dad, if that’s okay. I’m so sorry.” Evan confessed.
“Yes, you can do that. I won’t mind. My mom will be here shortly. Tell him I love him, too.” Elizabeth said.
Evan ran to Theodore’s room, where Olivia and Sarah were. Eventually so after that Amelia walks into the room.
The three children all looked sad and hugged their mom.
“Wait, Evan, why are you? Aren’t you supposed to be with Elizabeth?” Sarah asked.
A moment passed before Amelia pieced the puzzle together.
“Elizabeth is having the baby?!” Amelia said with joy and sadness.
“Do you think she would want me there with her?” Olivia offered.
“Her mom is coming, so it’s up to you. She will understand.”
Evan, his sisters and his mom decided to stay with Theodore.
Olivia and Amelia went to the cafeteria to get everyone some tea.
“I’m going to miss him so much.” Sarah said crying.
“Me, too.” Evan said, as him and Sarah held onto Theodore’s hand ever tighter.
They all shared their favourite memories growing up, and how their father shaped them into becoming the best versions of themselves because of him.
Simultaneously, as Theodore left Earth, Evan’s and Elizabeth’s son was born.
They all took some time to mourn him. A priest came by to bless him on his journey to Heaven.
They eventually would say goodbye to him as they took his belongings with them.
“I’m going to check on Elizabeth now, I’ll be right back.” Evan said slowly walking to the nurse’s station to find out which room she was in.
He eventually found his way after getting lost.
“Hey, I’m here.” Evan said walking into the room, looking at his precious son in Elizabeth’s arms.
Evan kissed Elizabeth, and then gave his son a peck on the forehead.
“Meet Eli Theodore Henderson.” Elizabeth said.
“I love it. Thank you for adding my father’s name. That means so much to me.” Evan said as he threw himself onto the chair.
“Well, Theodore will live on in Eli.” Elizabeth said.
“He looks like my dad and myself.” Evan realized, as Elizabeth smiled.
Eventually the ladies stopped by to meet Eli. They were admiring how cute he is.
A few days have passed and they had laid Theodore to rest. It was an emotional day, but they got through because they had each other.
Although the pain and emptiness was too much for Amelia to bear, and she had passed away a few months later. The siblings were able to stay in touch and be apart of each other’s lives throughout the months. The deaths of their parents actually brought them closer, as they learned not to take moments for granted.
April 2082
All of the Henderson family members are doing well. The siblings are all close, and the cousins get along just fine.
They were all celebrating Easter dinner.
“Would you like some wine, Ashley?” Erica asked.
Ashley politely declined.
“There is something we would like to tell you. We are pregnant with a baby boy, and he’ll be here at the end of August!”
“Oh my goodness! I’m going to be an auntie!” Emily exclaimed, jumping up to hug Ashley.
Eli was the first one of the cousins to get married and have a baby. Evan was secretly sad but happy for Eli. He realized that his grandson was the reason why he hasn’t been feeling all that great since the year started.
Elizabeth was too happy to realize why Evan wasn’t as joyful as she was, until the day drew to a close.
Evan made plans and goals for himself that he could do with the remaining four months of his life.
He spent a lot of time with his family. Him and Elizabeth prepared their will, and he donated lots of things.
Evan and Elizabeth spent the summer at a cottage. He picked up the skills of fishing by watching videos and reading books. It was a hot day in July. They really enjoyed their vacation together. They expected it to be their last one.
After a delicious lunch, Elizabeth decided to take a nap, because Evan was going to to the pond and catch some fish.
Evan took all of fishing accessories and rods with him to the pond. He began to set up his station, by organizing his bait.
Suddenly the clouds got darker. Evan didn’t think it was supposed to storm today, but he thought wrong. It began to pour and lightning lit up the sky. And eventually struck him knocking him to the ground.
The loud thunder woken Elizabeth up. Elizabeth realized she had overslept from her nap, and woke up to an empty cottage. She began to panic, calling out for him.
No answer.
She wondered if he was still fishing, although he doesn’t stay out this late.
She put on her shoes and grabbed her phone as she ran out towards the pond.
The ground was drenched from the downpour so she had almost fell a few times.
She then saw Evan’s motionless body. She ran up to him and saw his lightning burn. She quickly called an ambulance. Elizabeth hugged him dearly until the paramedics came.
They placed Evan on the stretcher and loaded him into the ambulance. Elizabeth hopped into the back and held his hand.
They went over his medical history and she had told them that he has been experiencing headaches for the past few months now.
Evan was in a coma, but that never stopped Elizabeth or his family to visit him.
A few weeks and he was still unresponsive. Elizabeth couldn’t let her husband go, so she never let any of the doctors unplug him.
Elizabeth still remembers what happened to Theodore. She was counting down the days until August 19th – Ashley’s due date.
Suddenly in the evening of August 18th, Ashley was feeling severe stomach pain, followed by her water breaking.
Elizabeth stood by Evan’s side, holding his hand, telling him all of their great memories they’ve shared together. She had seen something that she hasn’t seen before.
“Nurse! Somebody please!” Elizabeth hollered as she ran into the hallway begging for someone’s assistance.
Ashley and Eli rushed to the hospital, where she had gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
“What do you think of Eric?” Eli asked.
“Yes! That’s it!” Ashley said giving Eric a kiss.
Meanwhile, the nurse came in and asked Elizabeth what happened.
“He squeezed my hand, and he opened his eyes!” Elizabeth exclaimed as the nurse was examining Evan.
Three Days Later
Eli, Ashley and Eric all stopped by to visit Elizabeth and Evan in Evan’s hospital.
“Hey, Eli” Evan said weakly.
“We would love for you to meet Eric Evan Henderson.” Ashley said handing him to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had the biggest smile on her face, as she was in awe.
Ashley and Eli eventually left.
Elizabeth was so happy that she still had Evan.
“Honey, you did it! You’ve beat the curse.” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“I guess me getting struck by lightning saved my life.” Evan said, as Elizabeth held his hand.
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