---

Author note: This story really is all about character development and less about some fetish. Like usual, I do things differently. But, this is how this story came to me. I was driving around throwing newspapers out my window and I got to thinking about my friend Glenn and his daughter and how he absolutely adores her and how it would've been nice if I had parents who adored me growing up (Yes, I know I live a depressing life, but if I could get over it, so can you). Then I hit a stretch of road where I didn't have to throw a paper for a minute or two and POW! this story came to me in it's entirety. So, if you find anything wrong with this story, blame my muse, because I really had nothing to do with it other than I'm a carrier. I do hope you enjoy. BTW the graphic isn't exactly what I wanted. I wanted alternative red and black cards, but this is a short story and things were becoming too much work.

---

The scene was the same as it has always been every Friday for the past four years at Glenn’s home; five friends gathered around a green felt covered card table for their weekly poker game. Glenn was always the host because his house was the most convenient for everyone to get to and he was the one with an actual card table and not some cheap imitation either. Everyone sat in the same seat as they always had, there was no such thing as swapping because one felt their particular station had become unlucky. It didn’t matter much anyway, this wasn’t a high-stakes game. Everyone came in with $25 dollars that bought their chips for the night and their was no going back for more. Of course, nothing stopped one friend from sliding chips to another so the game could go on for a little while longer; but that would never be a loan, it could only be offered as a gift.

The same five guys played at Glenn’s table every Friday, and if someone couldn't make it because of illness, work or vacation there were no substitutes, they just played with whomever came. Of course there was Glenn, the host; but also Tim the entrepreneur, Dan the musician, Donnie the lawyer, and the resident philosopher slash teacher Robert.

Tim peaked at his cards, his large belly made it impossible for him to just tilt the cards a fraction of an inch off the table so he could see what he was dealt, instead he rested them on his chest, took a glance and returned them so others wouldn’t be able to see. “It’s going to be a shame that these games have to end pretty soon,” he said as he picked up a blue chip. “I’m in for five.”

“Whoa,” Donnie said sarcastically, “Watch out guys, he’s starting with a nickel, must be going for a gut shot straight.” Donnie gave a wry smile at Tim’s direction, he had been making it a habit to throw in any comment that could also draw notice to his friend’s growing waistline.

“I don’t see why you think these games have to end,” Glenn said as he matched the bet, not even bothering to see what kind of hand he was dealt.

Tim took a long drag off of his cigar and exhaled the fumes slowly, trying to make a smoke ring, but failing for the umpteenth time. “Come on, man. You got a baby on the way. Do you think Cheryl is going to let this group of degenerates come in when you have a little one who is trying to sleep? Let’s face it, the end is near.”

“You said the same thing two years ago when I was getting married, and you were wrong then too,” Glenn replied. “Come on Robbie, you in or out.”

Robbie studied his cards and then looked around the table, trying to calculate his odds with what he had. “Tim might be right, you don’t know how life can change with a baby around. If nothing else the game will definitely be different, no more cigars, that will be for sure.” He threw in his chip for good measure.

Dan and Donnie quickly followed suit.

“Beside,” Donnie, the blond haired lawyer stated, “work is starting to pick up, your shop is getting more and more work.”

“I thank the economy for that,” Glenn said as he discarded two cards into the muck.

“Only a mechanic can thank a recession for getting more business,” Dan said, as he drummed lightly on the table, waiting for others to make their discard. “And here I am fighting for every studio session I can get because artists don’t want to shell out cash for demos any more.”

“Their is always Justin Bieber,” Donnie said as he threw in one card.

“I said artists, not children,” Dan countered.

“The reason why my work is picking up is because people aren’t buying new cars so quick and that means they’re keeping their old cars longs,” Glenn explained. “The longer you keep a car, the more you have to put into maintaining it. That means money for me.”

“Best investment I’ve ever made,” Tim said as he threw in three cards.

Three other men coughed slightly.

“Is there anything you don’t invest in?” Robert asked.

“He got my shop,” Glenn piped up first.

“Helped pay for my law school and office,” Donnie seconded.

“Bought me that Gibson, and don’t think I don’t know how much it costs,” Dan added.

“Funds the school,” Robert ended the list, referring to the private school that he owned and operated.

“So I put my money to good use,” Tim said as he picked up his three new cards and placed them in order.

“What happens if your Midas touch runs out one of these days?” Robert said, always the pragmatist.

“That won’t happen for another decade,” Glenn answered for his friend. “He has inventions scheduled out for every two months until at least 2020. What do you call it? ‘Smart business planning?’”

“Something like that,” Tim replied. “You can’t throw everything out there all at once, you need to build up the consumer base through upgrades. If I started with the end product, it would’ve flopped because no one would know what to do with it. But strategic little changes every so often, and more and more people flock to it because it’s almost common place.”

“Says the czar of consumer electronics,” Dan said as he folded his hand in disgust.

“And to think,” Robert added, “his company all started as the college experiment for an economics course.”

“It doesn't matter, I don’t invest in you guys with my inventing money. I use the money I got from Melody, may she rest in piece.”

The room got quiet. It always did whenever Tim mentioned his late wife who died in a plane crash a few years back. She was flying in a small 8 passenger plane that plummeted into the Rocky Mountains. No one survived. Tim was able to prove, through Donnie, that the airline did not follow proper maintenance schedules and the engine failure could have been avoided if they did. For that he was awarded 5.2 million dollars, of which he never spent a dime on himself.

“Besides.” Tim broke the silence. “I put my money where I need it. Speaking of that, Glenn, I just purchased a 1970 Ford, Grand Torino Cobra, with a numbers matching 429 cobra jet engine and I need you to work your magic.”

“There he goes again,” Donnie said, “throwing business Glenn’s way. Let’s see a ‘70 Chevelle, a ‘68 Sting Ray, a ‘69 GTO; what happened, run out of decent G-Ms to buy. You know, people sell those cars already in running condition and you’d probably wind up spending half as much on them.”

“But then they wouldn’t be exactly what I wanted, they would be exactly what someone else wanted, this way, I’m in total control,“ Tim responded.

“Actually,“ Robbie chimed in, “Glenn would be the one in total control.“

“Don’t be jealous, Donnie, I’m sure I’ll be needing a lawyer shortly.” Tim laughed as he laid down his hand three of a kind, enough to take a pot.

“Did you at least have the pair when you drew?” Dan asked suspiciously.

“That I’ll never tell. Now, if you’ll excuse me, let me go check on my sister-in-law.”

As was the case every week, Tim excused himself so he could spend time with his deceased wife’s sister. She was his one link back to the woman he loved.

The group waited until Tim was well out of view before starting the next hand.

“And there he goes for yet another week,” Donnie said.

“Poor guy,” Glenn replied as he checked his cards.

“He really hasn’t been the same since his wife, Melody, died,” Dan said as he tried to hid his glee at being dealt two pair.

“Yeah, that’s why he spends time every week with Cheryl,” Glenn informed as he laid his cards down and waited for the bet. “She’s his only link to Melody and I think he needs that connection to go on another week.”

The table got quiet for a moment.

“I think I know why he throws all that settlement money around,” Robert said as he tossed a chip into the pot.

“And why is that?” Glenn looked on in interest.

“He hates that money, hates it with a passion.”

“How do you hate money?” Donnie asked, “And considering how much money he makes from his own inventions, I think he is on pretty good terms with cash.”

“I didn’t say he hated all money,” Robert explained. “I said he hated the settlement money. I doubt he has used a dime of it on anything for himself.”

“I do know he keeps it in a separate account from his personal and business finances,” Donnie informed.

“That’s my point. I don’t care how much money that airline threw at him, or how little for that matter. You can’t print enough money to replace a man’s wife, and especially those two. I mean the was no greater love than between them. Then add on top of that that she died because they were careless. I’m surprised he didn’t try to find the CEO and throttle him.”

“He isn’t getting any better guys, you know,” Dan said as the hand played on.

“You think he hit five-hundred pounds yet?” Donnie asked.

“If not, he’s real close,” Glenn replied.

“You notice how he only wears those cotton shorts and ratty t-shirts lately?” Robert asked.

Glenn discarded three cards. “I don’t think he fits in anything else.”

Robert folded his cards, not even having a face card made him no he didn't have a shot at the pot. “How does a man win Gold at the Olympics and then get that out of shape?”

Dan picked up his new card, saw that it matched his pair of sevens and knew he had to slow play the hand if he hoped to get some more chips. “He simply stopped caring, that’s how.”

“We really need to have an intervention,” Donnie said as he tried to get a read on the other players. “He’s not healthy and it’s starting to get dangerous.”

“I agree,” Glenn said. “I raise ten. But what can we do?”

Dan bumped the pot another five, hoping not to seem to eager. “We can tell him we won’t hang out with him no more if he doesn’t start getting his weight under control.”

Robert shook his head is disapproval. “After all he’s done for each of us, I don’t think that’s the way to go.”

“Yeah, numb-nuts,” Glenn added. “Besides, that’s not what you do with someone with abandonment issues.”

“Hey,” Dan defended himself. “I know life has given the guy a raw deal. I mean his parents leave him at the park when he is four, never to be seen again; his uncle decides it’s too much financial strain and ships him off to a foster home and just when he gets his life together his wife dies in a senseless plane wreck, but he never shied away from a challenge once in his life.”

Donnie smiled. “Maybe that’s it. Come on, he’s an ex-wrestler, and it wasn't some weekend hobby for him. It takes some dedication to make it to the Olympics, maybe we need to challenge him somehow. But we can’t make it obvious.”

“Maybe get him on that Biggest Loser program?” Glenn suggested.

As his buddies continued to play cards in the den, Tim made his way to the back porch where Cheryl was busy crocheting yet another pair of booties.

“There’s the mom to be,” Tim said warmly. “How’s my two favorite girls?”

“I’m not that big,” Cheryl said in mock offense.

“You know I meant you and the baby.”

“I know.” Cheryl struggled to get on her feet. “It’s getting to that point where I feel like I am two people.”

Tim smiled. “Join the club.” He gently wrapped his arms around his sister-in-law and gave a gentle squeeze.

“None of that now.”

Tim knew that Cheryl could see through his self-deprecating humor. “Yes ma’am.”

“So how is life going?”

“It’s okay,” Tim said in a non-committal way.

“That’s not really an answer you give to your favorite sister in law.”

“My only sister in law you mean.” Tim gave a wry grin

“Even if there were a hundred I would still be your favorite and you know it,” Cheryl countered.

“You’re probably right.”

“So really, how is life?”

“It’s a different kind of life. Not one that I would choose, but it’s the one I got.”

Cheryl frowned. “I know, I miss her too. But, maybe it’s time to move on.”

Tim looked down and shook his head. “Not yet, maybe not ever. How do you replace a love like that? She was the one person who I knew for certain would always be there for me and I would always be there for her. She was the one who didn’t care that I was an athlete or that I was making money when it came. She loved me for me, and I, by myself, was enough of a reason for her to stay by my side. But, I guess in life, those are the breaks.”

“I’m also here for you,” Cheryl said as she placed her hand on Tim’s forearm.

“Yeah, but you’re already married,” Tim gave a weak smile. “Not that I’d ever do that to Glenn, I love him too much too.”

“You’re a real cut-up some time.”

“So how are you and the baby doing?” Tim changed subjects.

Cheryl patted her belly. “We’re doing just fine. Doctor isn’t really concerned with much at this point. But, to tell you the truth, I hope these two months go by quickly.”

“You say that now, but when you’re getting up for those three A.M. feedings, you’re going to be wishing she was back inside so you can sleep.”

Cheryl smiled and shook her head. “Speaking of the baby, we were going over some names.”

“I still think Timette has a nice ring to it,” Tim said, falling back on the joke he’d been using for weeks.

Cheryl turned serious. “We were thinking about naming her Melody; you know, in memory.”

Tim frowned. “Please don’t. You know I will always be there for my God-daughter, but I have enough reminders as it is.”

“It was just a thought.”

Tim looked at the ceiling, trying to fight back the tears. “When Melody and I discussed having kids, we always thought of naming a daughter after your grandmother.”

“Gabriella?” Cheryl questioned, only because the name sounded so dated.

“That was the plan, until?” Tim couldn’t help it and the tears started flowing.

Cheryl couldn’t help but join in the crying. “It has a nice ring to it.”

Tim dried his eyes with the back of his forearm. “Now, you remember our deal, right?”

“Which deal is that?”

“That no matter what time, what day, what weather, when you go into labor you call me so I can be there.”

“I remember that. Of course, you’ll be the second person we call; right after the doctor.”

Tim smiled. “I’m just making sure. It’s just important that I be there. I don’t know why, but something in me says that I got to be there. Maybe seeing the miracle of life will snap me out of the funk I’m in.”

“I hope so. Now you better get back to the game or they’ll start to wonder about us.”
Tim smiled. “Yes ma’am, but you know what we got to do first”

“What’s that,” even though Cheryl knew what the real answer was, she always set Tim up for quoting his favorite tag line from television.

“The same thing we do every night pinky, try to take over the world,” Tim said in a poor imitation of a cartoon mouse.

Cheryl giggled. “You simply can’t resist, can you?”

Tim moved in close to his sister in law, “Make you laugh, no I can’t ever resist that. There isn’t nearly enough laughter in my life these days.”

“I know Hon.”

“Let’s pray.”

Cheryl bowed her head and closed her eyes as Tim put one arm around her shoulder and placed his hand gently on her rotund belly.

“Father, God, we thank you for this time that we get to spend together ever week with family and friends. I just pray for my sister Cheryl, that you ease any discomfort from the pregnancy and give her health. We pray for a smooth delivery when the time comes and zero complications. Let the baby be healthy and grow knowing the love that surrounds her. God, bless the child and this family, keep it from all harm and let it prosper in your grace. Amen.”

“Amen,” Cheryl echoed. “Now go back in with your friends before they start wondering about us.”

“I would never do that to Glenn, we’ve been friends since middle school. But, any other man would have to watch out,” Tim joked.

Tim joined his buddies back in the den and for the next few hours played poker. It was a nice diversion from how he normally spent his nights; alone, crying, missing his wife and wondering what the point of going on was.

One by one the group thinned out until only Tim and Glenn remained. It was customary for Tim to stay behind and help clean up. The others had places to go to and people waiting for them, Tim had reasoned, but for him their was nothing but a full-size bed and a half a bag of Doritos on the nightstand for him.

“Another successful night of poker,” Glenn said as he stacked the chips inside their case.

“Sure, for you, big winner.” Tim smiled as he threw the empty soda cans into a blue trash bag for recycling.

“You know I am onto your little scheme,” Glenn said as the cards were placed in a little leather pouch.

“Scheme? What scheme?” Tim feigned ignorance.

“A man doesn’t clean house six weeks in a row,” Glenn confronted lightly. “So, what are you guys doing, throwing hands?”

Tim couldn’t help but reveal a slight smile.

“That’s what I thought. Tim, you don’t have to fix everything. Cheryl and I will still love and want you even if you didn’t help us out with things.”

“I know, but I enjoy doing it. We all knew you wouldn’t take money from us outright so we threw a few hands here and there. So what, sue us. No one ever loses more than 25 bucks and we know you don’t have medical insurance for when the baby comes.”

“The shop is doing okay, we have it basically covered. Besides, what are they going to do if I roll in a pregnant woman in labor; tell us to have it in the alley?”

Tim laughed. “That would be hilarious. Then I wouldn’t be the only one who cashed in on someone being completely stupid.” Tim paused and turned somber.

“It always comes back to that doesn’t it,” Glenn said as he put his arm around his friend. “It’s been three years, don’t you think it’s time to put some of it behind you and start living again.”

Tim looked down. “I’m trying, man, really I am. But I’ve never felt the love I felt from Melody and I don’t think that’s easily replaced.”

“Cheryl and I love you,” Glenn offered. “Now stop fixing everything and let us just enjoy each other's company. Let us just love you for you. Love you like you deserve.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. It’s not the same. You guys have like a parental kind of love for me, but that’s not going to warm my sheets at night. You know I’d do anything for you guys and I know you’d do almost anything for me, but you can’t replace Melody and I doubt there is anyone on this Earth who can.”

“We aren’t looking to replace her,” Glenn countered as the cleaning up was almost finished. “We just want you to be happy.”

Tim smiled. “I know. Listen, we’re through cleaning and I got something to do. Take it easy.”

Glenn stood at the table as he watched his friend leave. He was at a loss of what to do and his heart broke a little as he saw his friend slipping further and further away from life.

After rolling the garbage cans to the curb, Glenn joined his wife in the master bedroom. She was in the bathroom, like usual; either peeing or looking at herself in the mirror and lamenting about the stretch marks on her belly.

“Another good night with the boys?” Cheryl asked as she poured a cap-full of mouthwash into a small plastic cup.

“Tim admitted that they’ve been throwing hands so we could have extra money for the baby.” Glenn turned down the comforter and then sat on the bed.

Cheryl couldn’t reply as she swished mouthwash from cheek to cheek.

“I’m worried about him. He’s getting worst.”

“Uh-hmmm,” Cheryl agreed as she counted in her head.

“I think maybe he needs counseling,” Glenn offered. “You think you could convince him to see a head doctor.”

Cheryl spit the mouthwash into the sink and ran some water. “I don’t think it’ll help. You know Tim, he doesn’t open up to people.”

“He opens up to us,” Glenn said as he removed his shoes.

“Yeah, and he barely does that. Just give him more time, he’ll do just fine.”

“I just wish I could fix things for him the way he always fixes things for us.”

“You’ll find …” A sharp pain Cheryl’s abdomen robbed her of breath to say the rest of her thought.

“I’ll find what?” Glenn said as he came to his feet.

Cheryl crumpled to the floor. “Glenn,” she called out in agony.

Not even a second had passed by until Glenn reached the door to the bathroom. “Honey, what is it,” he said in horror as he slid on the floor.

“Call an ambulance,’ Cheryl said in between tears, “something’s wrong. Call Tim to, have him meet us at the hospital.”

Glenn was torn as to what to do, should he leave his wife alone on the floor or stay. He rolled to his feet, ran downstairs to where he left his phone, dialed 911 while running back up the stairs and by the time the operator answered he was back by his wife’s side. “Send help quick, my wife, the baby, something’s wrong.”

Cheryl placed her hand on her husband’s arm trying to get him to relax. She would say something reassuring, but the pain robbed her of thinking straight.

Her husband managed to come to his senses somewhat and was able to relay the pertinent information to the 911 dispatcher. He then used speed-dial to contact Tim and let him know to meet him at the hospital.

Tim rushed into the hospital, winded from running from the parking lot into the lobby. He stood just inside the door, stepped off to the side and surveyed the waiting room. Glenn wasn’t nowhere to be found, but he had almost suspected that. Even though he knew his friend wasn’t there, Tim still pretended to look some more so he could catch his breath before going up to the receptionist.

After a minute or two went by, Tim made his way to the information desk. “I’m looking for the Oppenheimer’s,” he said briefly as the woman stared at him in disinterest.

The lady behind the desk punched a few keys on the keyboard and looked at the screen. “They’re in maternity, 4th floor, south.”

“Maternity?” Tim asked in shock. “She isn’t due for at least another month.”

“That’s what it say here, maternity,” the woman said without much emotion, as if she was either too bored or too busy with other things to care.

“Thank you kindly,” Tim said and then walked over to a bank of elevators.

I short ride up to the forth floor and some tricky navigation led Tim to where his friend Glenn was waiting. Glenn had his face buried into his hands and by the way his shoulders heaved up and down, Tim knew he was crying. Gently he placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

Glenn looked up. “Thank God,” he said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around Tim and embraced him tightly.

“What’s going on,” Tim asked gently.

“No one is telling me a damn thing. Cheryl collapsed in the bathroom, she was in a lot of pain. They brought her here as fast as they could. I don’t know what’s going on.”

Tim returned his friend’s embrace. “It’ll be okay. Cheryl was doing everything the doctor had been telling her, the last checkup was fine. You watch, they’ll come out and tell us she had gas, they pushed on her stomach, she farted, and it’s been taken so long because they had to call in a hazmat team.”

Glenn appreciated what his friend was doing. He had tried to do the same thing when Tim’s wife’s plane went missing, only his joke was that from thirty thousand feet, Melody found a pair of shoes in a shop window and made the pilot touch down before someone else bought them.

“Come on, let’s pray,” Tim offered.

“That’s all I’ve been doing, since the moment after I hung up from you.”

“Good boy, I taught you well,” Tim said as he rubbed his friend’s bald head.

The pair sat down and waited. Hours went by before the doctor came out to greet them. Both men shot to their feet as soon as they saw the white coat.

“Mr. Oppenheimer?” The doctor glanced from man to man.

“That’s me,” Glenn offered as he took a slight step forward.

“You’re wife is doing fine,” he said solemnly, “but I am afraid the baby didn’t survive.”

Glenn would’ve fallen to the floor if Tim hadn’t caught him.

“What happened,” Tim asked as he knew his friend wanted to know but was unable to speak.”

The doctor took a deep breath. “We don’t know what induced labor, but by the time the mother got to us, there was no way to reverse the process. The infant was stillborn. There was nothing we can do. I’m sorry.”

“Can I see her, can I see the baby,” Glenn managed to asked between his sobs.

The doctor looked down and frowned. “You’re wife is with the child now, she refused to allow us to take the infant from her, but,”

“Just give them a moment to say their goodbyes,” Tim cut the doctor short. “Can we go and see them?”

“Immediate family only,” the doctor said.

“He is immediate family,” Glenn shot the doctor a look that warned to press the issue no further.

“Second door on the left,” the doctor answered and then stepped aside.

Glenn and Tim walked slowly into the hospital room where Cheryl was staying. In her arms was a small figure wrapped in a pink blanket. The mother cradled the lifeless child carefully as her tears streamed down her face.

Glenn went by his wife’s side and joined her in the shedding of tears. He looked at the infants face. “Like a little angel,” he said as he looked up at his friend and brother-in-law, the tears streamed down his face in a torrent.

Tim saw the agony and despair in both of his friends’ faces. He supposed it was the same look that was on his face the moment he was told his wife was lost in a plane wreck. “I was fortunate then,” he thought ironically, “I at least had the benefit of denial.” He could see the death of a thousand hopes and dreams as the parents wept over their stillborn child, that had been the look on his soul ever since that fateful day three years ago.

“Can I hold her,” Tim offered solemnly.

Cheryl didn’t refuse the offer even though she didn’t speak. She gently held the motionless bundle to her friend and then held onto her husband.

“Hello, Gabriella,” Tim said softly to the closed-eyed child. “Glenn, I know you asked me not to fix things for you, but if you’ll allow me just one more gesture of good will, please?”

Cheryl and Glenn looked at their friend in confusion, but for a moment their tears stopped. A strange sense of calm, certainty and peace washed over them as the room began to get noticeably chilly. And that’s when they saw it:

Tim’s hands began to glow. At first the couple thought they were imagining things. The glow was fairly faint and had a blue aura to it. But in steady increments the glow of the hands grew stronger and as they did the lights in the room began to dim, the displays of the hospital equipment suffered the same fate.

“Tim?” Glenn asked in awe and concern.

“It’s okay Glenn,” Tim said as the glow was getting brighter and brighter as the lights and displays grew dimmer and dimmer. “It is one final gift.”

The glow which started as a dim pale blue was now a dazzlingly bright white. It not only encompassed Tim’s hand, but the infant’s body as well. The power in the hospital went out and back up generators and emergency flood lights kicked in.

The doctor and nurses stood in the hallway staring at the ceiling and at blank computer terminals wondering what in the world was going on. A failure of this epic proportion was not suppose to ever happen. Phone lines were dead, cell phones batteries were drained and if not for the eerie light that came from the emergency lights, they would all be in total darkness as the generators worked up to power.

Tim rested the infant on Cheryl’s chest. “Take good care of me,” he said as the light from his hands shot into the body of the still-born child.

“Is everyone okay,” the doctor asked as lights began to come on line.

From one of the rooms, the doctor heard a baby cry and knew that wasn’t possible. He ran to the only room with a patient and paused just inside the doorway, before deciding to take action.

Glenn was forced off to the side as one set of doctor’s tended to his new-born baby daughter and another set of doctors came racing in to tend to his friend. In the middle of the chaos Glenn and his wife cried together, yet apart. They cried because of the life of their daughter, they cried because of the death of their close friend and they cried because they had just witnessed a love like no other.

Author's note 2: One of the fun things I decided to do was name drop other titles of my work in here, just for giggles, hope i didn't annoy anyone.