voice. Elliot is positive this man has never had a panic attack in his life.
“Good, that’s good. Just breathe slow and steady. You’re doing great. Have some water.” The man offers him a bottle of water, which Elliot reluctantly takes.
“Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t know most of the people I’ve saved, but that doesn’t matter, because all lives have value.”
Elliot scoffs out a bitter laugh. “Maybe for someone like you. My life has never held any value…to anyone at all.”
“That’s just the depression talking, son. Everyone has value. There is always something to do to help others. If only people took their eyes off their own problems, they could see how much they’re needed.”
Elliot glares at the man. How dare he judge him, especially today of all days? The only value that could ever come from Elliot’s life is being an organ donor. He taps his front pocket, making sure the donor card is still where he placed it.
It’s not like Elliott came up with this plan rashly. He’s been planning it for the last three months. He’s already failed two other times, and he’s determined that this time it will be different. He knew he wouldn’t be able to back down if he drained his bank accounts and gave away everything he had. There is no turning back now; this has to be it. He has zero dignity left, so he pleads with this stranger who has a major savior complex.
“Please, mister. I just need some privacy. You have no clue about my life.”
“You’re right about that. I don’t. So, tell me about it.” The infuriating man pops a squat right next to Elliot and smiles over at him like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
Elliot says nothing for several minutes. He leans against the tree, eyes closed, trying not to sob. They sit like that for an hour, neither saying a word, neither moving. This small gesture brings Elliot to tears. Not once in his life has anyone ever shown up or been there for him. And here is this stranger who is doing exactly that, just being there for him.
Elliot lets the tears flow, not caring that he doesn’t have even a small scrap of dignity left. There’s so much he wants to say, but the words are all caught beneath the sobs.
“I’ve failed my son. I wasn’t there when he needed me most.” The stranger surprises Elliot when he breathes out the confession. His voice is so low and quiet, it’s like the words float on the wind.
“It’s why I can’t leave you now, even though I know it’s what you want. No man left behind. SEALs live and die by that rule.”
No wonder the man has so much confidence. He actually did something with his life, something that brings pride and honor. He’s a true hero. Just when Elliot thought he couldn’t feel any worse…
“I’ve no one to leave behind,” Elliot finds himself confessing in just as low of a voice.
“There’s time to change that. You are still young. You can’t be over twenty.”
“I’m twenty-eight. I was supposed to be a doctor, but I got kicked out of my residency program in my last year. No hospital around will take me after that. There’s nothing for me now. Nothing.”
He expects the man to say something, offer some useless words of comfort or bullshit about tomorrow being better. Surprisingly, he doesn’t do any of those things.
“My name is Leo. Leo Franklin.”
“Elliot Walker.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Elliot.”
The man has a sparkle in his eye, knowing Elliot can’t say it back. If it wasn’t for Leo, Elliot’s plan would have been fulfilled by now. Jovial brown eyes turn so serious it’s as if they’ve changed colors between one blink and the next.
“Since we’re sharing our failures and all, I guess it’s my turn.” Elliot wants to turn his head and ignore what this stranger has to say. He knows exactly what he’s trying to do—turn it on himself to show everyone struggles and tomorrow is a new day, or whatever the hell that stupid saying is.
Elliot sighs and looks up to tell the man to go away and sees the man’s now horribly grave eyes, so brown they are almost black, fill with tears. The tears in the eyes of this war hero stop any thought process Elliot might have had. He is rooted to the spot and listening intently.