Neither Lane nor Terry could fully retire as they were so entrenched in their life's work. Lane tried to stick to a three-day workweek, while Terry managed two mornings each week.
When not working, the two loved having fun. They enjoyed nature, cruising to exotic locales, meeting new people, and looking for new ways to enjoy each other's company.
Lane was meeting several neurologists who had used the spinal reparation process on a youngster that was born with a spinal defect. After the procedure, the child showed great improvement. They spent the day reviewing hundreds of X-rays and test results. Lane was in his element and didn't want the day to end.
He left the research center at 9 PM. The night was beautiful with a full moon that lit up the sky. Realizing he had not eaten dinner, Lane decided to walk across the street to his favorite deli to get a sandwich. His mind was occupied with the events of the day, and the upcoming fundraiser.
The light turned green, the walk sign illuminated, and he stepped off the curb. Onlookers said he didn't have a chance. The car turned the corner so fast neither the driver nor Lane could get out of the way.
Lane felt rather than heard the car approaching. He abruptly turned his head to the left, put his hands up as if to stop the car, and screamed.
The impact of the collision threw him over fifty feet, broke most of the bones in his body, and left him near death. A bystander ran to his side and held him as others called for an ambulance.
The owner of the deli knew Lane and Terry very well. They had been eating his food for most of their adult life. When he saw the accident, he rushed out of the store to find the victim was his dear friend. He quickly called Terry and told him what happened.
Lane was barely alive as they rushed him to the hospital. Paramedics did their best to keep him breathing though they knew he could never survive the damage his body had received. The emergency staff, at the hospital, did their best to make him comfortable. Terry and Sherry arrived minutes after the ambulance.
Both were shocked seeing what lay before them. Lane's body was mangled. His clothes had been cut off, IVs in both arms, and a breathing tube in his throat. Terry stopped dead in his tracks as he entered the emergency bay. In front of him was Lane of forty years ago. His legs gave out and he fell to his knees. "Oh my God," were the only words he managed to say.
A resident helped him to his feet and held him as they walked to Lane's side. Sherry stood by as doctors continued to administer emergency treatment. There in front of her was the best friend she ever had. Now he lay near death, once again. She could not wrap her arms around it. Why had this wonderful man been struck down once again — why?
After a few minutes, the surgeon said, "He'll never make it through surgery in his present condition. I think we should keep him sedated and see if he stabilizes. Surgery would kill him for sure, if we attempt it right now."
Terry looked from the doctor back to his life partner without saying a word. The emergency staff left them alone. Terry reached for Lane's hand and gently held it to his face. "We've come full circle my friend. I don't understand why this has happened, but it has. What do I do? Do I pray for you to live, knowing the extent of your injuries? Or do I just let you leave me? What do I do Lane?"
Sherry put her arms around Terry as he talked to her best friend. Then she touched Lane's face. As she did, she felt the life of the man she always loved travel along her arm. "I know you can hear me Lane. You need to tell us what you want. This time it's not up to us, it's your decision. Please let us know what you want."
They held Lane's hands and talked to him for the better part of an hour. Doctors repeatedly checked his vitals announcing there were no changes. After his routine check, one young resident asked if Lane had a living will. Terry said, "Yes, it's on file with the hospital, but I can tell you what it says. Lane always felt he didn't want any life support if his body couldn't live on its own. Is that what you are asking?"
The resident said he would report back shortly, then he left the emergency bay. Terry looked at his life partner and said, "Okay my friend, I think I know how to answer my own question. As Sherry said, it's up to you. If they doctors pull the plug and you stay with me, I'll know. But please understand, no matter what I want, it's up to you. If you want to go, then do it. I'll be alright."
The ER Chief and the resident came into the bay together. "Though it is too early to remove Lane from life support, I'd like to know how you feel."
Terry told him what he just told Lane. "It's up to Lane. If he wants to live, he will. If not, he knows I'm okay with whatever he decides." Sherry agreed.
The consensus was to keep Lane on life support through the night, if his body held out. If he were not healthy enough for surgery by morning, they would look at the alternative.
The night dragged on. Terry and Sherry took turns resting on the metal chairs in the emergency bay. The resident maintained his vigilant checks on all three of them. By morning, Lane showed no sign of strengthening enough for the needed surgery. In fact, he was slipping. He was simply too weak and would never survive surgery.
At 6am, the ER chief said they could wait until mid morning to make any decisions, and then left for morning rounds. Terry held Lane's hand and asked, "Talk to me. What should I do? I can't let them remove life support if it's not what you want."
By ten that morning, Lane let everyone know what he wanted them to do. His heart became erratic. It could not be stabilized. The breathing machine signaled that he was no longer managing to breathe without assistance. His body was failing.
Terry stood by his side as Lane struggled. "It's okay, Lane, I'll miss you, but it's okay to go. Let go and live, my love! Let go and live!"
Sherry held Lane's other hand and said, "You were my first and only love. I will miss you more than life, but I won't ask you to stay if that is not what you want. So, it's okay to go Lane."
As if to acknowledge both of his best friends, Lane opened his eyes, looked at Sherry, then turned to Terry and held his eyes in his, took one long breath and let go. His eyes remained open as if to say I will always be with you.
The wake was more than anyone could have expected. Thousands paid their respects to the man who allowed others to live. Terry knew Lane helped many people, but never realized how many people he affected. The lines seemed never ending. What was to be a one evening viewing had to be extended to three and people continued to come. Finally, Terry told the funeral director to shut the doors. "They can pay their respects at the grave site."
The funeral was reserved for friends and family. When it was time for the coffin to be closed, Terry walked to Lane's side, leaned in and kissed the man he loved for the last time. Then he placed a large box in the coffin. "Take this with you; it's your life's work. Maybe you can use it wherever you are going. I will miss you more than anyone can possibly imagine. Go and live again my love, live again."
Lane was buried in the family plot next to Terry's father. The gravesite had room for Terry and his mother. When the others had left, Terry, Sherry and Hallie held hands and said their final goodbyes to the man who made their lives worth living, turned and walked to, the waiting limo. Life would never be the same again.