Once James had gotten back to his room, he sighed, before sitting down at the desk to write in his notebook some more. Ever since Nurse Freckles had kissed him, he couldn't get it off of his mind.
"I don't get it", he mumbled as he wrote, "Why did she do that? I mean, I could understand her maybe trying to concentrate, but really? What she did was taking it too far, wasn't it?" He thought some more. "Well, she did apologize, but still, just straight up kissing me like that? Maybe I did like it, but still, kissing someone you just met seems pretty weird to me. Maybe all Ponies are like that, I don't know."
James continued to write. "In the long-run, while Taylor seems to be focused on his engineering work, I just hope that I can restart the little side business I had going back on Earth. I wonder if there would be a market for that here?"
He looked down at his sketches that he was making, which were of tiny coffins. However, these were too small for a human, too small for a Pony, and even, too small for an infant of either species.
"I mean, I suppose that there might be, I don't know. I'll ask Taylor about it tomorrow if he's feeling ok."
James worked for a little bit longer on his sketches, then he went to bed.
The next morning was a rather busy one for Taylor. First of all, the time had come to remove his original cast. Dr. Stables was there to oversee the process.
"Um, before we begin doctor, I have to know, how is the cast going to be removed?"
"With this, Mr. Taylor." He held up a small surgical saw. "I know that you are unable to see it, but it's a small surgical saw specifically designed for removing casts. Once the cast has been removed, we'll give you a chance to move your arm a bit, before finding a comfortable position for your arm to be in when we apply the new cast."
"And, how long am I going to need a cast again?"
"According to your last X-rays, you should only need one for another 3-4 weeks or so."
"3 to 4 weeks?!"
"Yes. You're arm was broken Mr. Taylor. Both of the bones in your lower arm snapped all of the way through. A lot of healing was done with that spell, and that shaved a good month and a half off of your healing time, but it couldn't do everything."
Taylor sighed. "Yeah, I guess I can handle anther 3 weeks of a cast. Let's just get this over with. You may cut away doctor."
Dr. Stables nodded, and with Taylor lying still, with expert skill, Dr. Stables cut away his original cast. At first, Taylor seemed fine. However, once the cast was off, and nothing was holding his arm back anymore, then the pain started.
With a loud popping, crackling, and snapping sound, Taylor bent his elbow enough to jerk his arm back to a 90 degree angle. "Ouch, ouch, ouch! Pins and needles, pins and needles!" Taylor cried, gripping his arm.
"How badly does it hurt Mr. Taylor?"
"On a scale of one to ten, I would give this a four, but hopefully the pain will go away once I can get a better range of motion." Taylor then gently proceeded to move his arm around a bit, and sure enough, the pain did subside after a few minutes.
"How does it feel now Mr. Taylor?"
"Now on a scale of one to ten, I would give this maybe a two, and rapidly dropping back to one."
The doctor nodded, and with help from Nurse Redheart, once Taylor got his arm bent into a 90 degree angle at his left elbow, they applied his new cast. Once the cast had been dried with magic, Taylor was also given a sling to hold his cast.
"Well", Taylor said when they were all done, "Now this is something I can live with. Now, if only I could see my surroundings."
"I'm afraid that you'll still have to wait another day or so for that Mr. Taylor. You still have a few more eye treatments before we can remove the bandages."
Taylor sighed. "Yeah, I guess that I will."
"Aww, don't feel too bad Taylor, I'm still here with you."
Taylor looked over towards where he guessed that Redheart was. "Well, I know that with you here with me Miss Redheart, things will definitely be better."
About ten minutes later, after the doctor had left, Redheart turned to Taylor. "Hey Taylor?"
"Yes Miss Redheart?"
"Um, I was wondering if you would be interested in walking around a bit more. You kinda do need a little bit of exercise."
"Sure. And do you think that it would be possible for me to go and see how the other engineers are doing?"
Redheart nodded. "Sure, I guess that we could do that. However, I think that you will be glad to hear that a little bit earlier today, Inky and Royal were released from the hospital. Metalwork is being kept a bit longer for observation, and Oilcan is almost healed up enough to go home as well."
Taylor was surprised. "Wow, that spell really did a number for them, didn't it? I'm glad that they're all going to be ok."
"Me too, now then, let's go for a walk, shall we?"
Taylor nodded, and after getting up, he pulled off his blankets, and sat on the side of the bed.
"Wow, this is really difficult with only one arm. Couple this with being unable to see, and you've got a real situation on your hands, or hooves rather."
Redheart nodded. "Yeah, so it's a good thing that you have a trained nurse to help you, right?" she giggled.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
With help from Redheart, Taylor stood up, and after finding his footing, he wrapped his right hand and arm around her.
"Comfortable Taylor?"
He nodded. "Yep, I'm fine."
"Ok then, let's go!"
Slowly, and with help, Taylor began to walk forwards.
"Ok, now be careful. Here's the door. It's about two feet in front of you. Just take two steps forwards, and reach for the knob. Do you think that you can do that?"
"Um, I'll try."
Taylor then let go of Redheart, and after stepping forwards about two steps, he felt the door. After feeling around for a few moments, he found the knob. "I found it."
"Very good, now, turn it, open the door, and step out into the hallway."
Taylor did so, and he felt around for the rail that ran the length on the hallway, broken only by doors. "Coming Miss Redheart?"
She nodded. "Yep, here I come." She then stepped out of Taylor's room as well, and stepped up to his side. After Taylor wrapped his hand and arm around her again, they started moving.
As they walked, Redheart asked Taylor a question. "Um, Taylor?"
"Yes Miss Redheart?"
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, ask away."
"Um, well, this may seem kinda awkward, but um, well, I've noticed how, ever since you came here to Equestria, you seem very nervous, and lacking in confidence. I guess that my question is, have you always been timid, or was this something recent?"
Taylor sighed, and went silent for a few moments.
"I'm sorry. I guess that I shouldn't have asked that."
"No, no it's ok, it's just, unexpected. And to answer your question, the truth is, yes, there was once I time when I was very confident, however, my experience in the Pacific War changed all of that. I saw that one wrong move could be the death of not only me, but those under me as well. My confidence was badly shaken, and I've never quite regained it. That's why I may seem rather timid at times. I just don't have the confidence that I used to. I've made strides to try and regain it, but things happen that shake it again. Be it my flight through the Bermuda Triangle, or the workshop fire."
Redheart was very quiet while Taylor explained himself. Once he was finished, she whispered, "Oh, well, I guess that that makes sense. I don't know much about war, but if I had to venture a guess, I would say that it can cause terrible things to happen to both your mind, and your body."
Taylor nodded. "And your assumption would be correct. I've never been the same since the war. Heck, neither has James for that matter, but that's besides the point."
Redheart opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but then she closed it again.
A minute or so later, they arrived at the first room.
"And who's is this room again?"
"This is Oilcan's room."
"Oh."
Redheart knocked on the door.
"Yes?" A voice asked from inside. "Who is it?"
"Um, It's Nurse Redheart. I've brought Mr. Taylor, as he's requested to see Oilcan."
A few moments later, the door opened, and a nurse poked her head out. "Oh, well hello there. You can come in."
Redheart nodded, and gently leading Taylor by his side, she led him into the room.
"T-Taylor?" A male voice asked, "I-is that you?"
Taylor nodded. "Yes, it's me Oilcan. I might not be able to see you right now, but I certainly hope that you're doing better."
"S-so, the r-rumors, are true? Y-you really are, b-blind?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so, for the time being at least. I was severely flash-burned during the explosion. I've been undergoing treatment since, and Dr. Stables thinks that I might be another few days or so away from regaining my sight."
"Wow. It's odd. Now all of a sudden my glass cuts that required stitches suddenly don't seem so bad. I see you standing there, bandages over your eyes, left arm in a cast, most likely the heavy bruises on your back like I've heard, and I'm thinking, 'man. I had it so good. I got cut by flying glass. He got caught in an explosion.' I feel really bad for you, Mr. Taylor."
Taylor shook his head. "It wasn't your fault Oilcan, it was mine. If I had decided to just drain the fuel tank, instead of attempting one more engine test, none of this would have happened. All of us would still be completely intact. Now, all of us have probably been scarred for life. Even when all of our physical wounds heal, the mental ones will not."
Oilcan looked at Taylor sadly. "I know that you're probably right Mr. Taylor. However, if it makes you feel any better, I know that you didn't do anything on purpose. The accident was just that, an accident."
Taylor sighed. "Well, I'm glad that you see it that way Oilcan, it's just too bad that almost nopony else will."
With that, Taylor left Oilcan's room, and with Redheart leading the way, they went to go find Metalwork. When they arrived at his room though, they were told by a nurse that he was using the bathroom.
"Oh, well then, I'll just come back later."
Taylor then left, and while still being led by Redheart, he went back to his room. When he got back, he found somebody waiting for him.
"Hello Taylor."
"Oh, good morning James. How are you doing?"
"Well, I seem to be doing pretty good. However, there's something on my mind. Something that's been bothering me."
"Oh? What would that be?" Taylor walked back in, and sat down on his bed.
"Well", James sighed, "The truth is Taylor, I've been wanting to restart a side business that I had going while we were stationed at Fort Lauderdale."
"Oh, really? Well, good for you James. However, I don't remember you having a small side business. What did you do?"
"Oh, well, um....." James suddenly seemed rather nervous. "I....um, this is going to sound pretty weird."
Taylor cocked his head to the side a bit. "What do you mean James? And you don't have to be afraid to tell me. I'm one of your comrades. As long as it was nothing illegal, I don't see why you're so embarrassed."
James continued to look at the floor. Finally, he sighed, and looked back up at Taylor. "Well, the truth is, that, for a while at least, for about $5-$15 dollars, depending on what the customer wanted, I would actually make small coffins and tombstones."
Taylor was shocked. "You what?! You made small coffins and tombstones?! Why?!"
"Not for people if that's what you're asking. The truth is, I actually made them for pets."
Now Taylor's shock gave way to confusion. "What? Pets? You mean, you would actually made coffins and tombstones, for people's pets?"
James nodded.
"Why?"
"Because I was good at it. When was much younger, my pet cat, Patches died. I was so sad. I felt that he needed a proper sendoff. So, using scraps of wood, I made him a small coffin, and using a chunk of a broken cinder-block, I made him a tombstone. Over time, some other people that I knew lost pets as well. They heard about what I had done for Patches, and they asked me to make some for them as well. I would charge based on the size of the coffins, and what they wanted on the tombstone. For just $5, that would get you a coffin made for a fish, and for $15, that would get you one for a large dog. Tombstone's came included with names, and dates of birth and death, as well as a simple, customized message. Anything else cost extra. I would also be able to deliver the finished products in one to two days, depending on what was being asked of me."
When James finished his explanation, All Taylor and Redheart could do was stare in absolute shock. From all of the time that he had known James, not one time had he even so much as hinted that he did something like that.
"Um, well, gosh James, I, um, never knew that you did that. Why didn't you ever tell me this before?"
James sighed. "Well, because I couldn't. Outside of those in my home-town, everyone else either just laughed at me, or they outright called me a pet murderer. I knew that I probably could trust you, but I could never be too sure. I never made any during the war though."
"Oh. Well, if you didn't make any during the war, when did you make your last order?"
James sighed again. "I made my last order for my cousin, Gwen, in the Summer of '42, just before I left for war. Her parrot, Jimmy, had died, and I gave him his proper sendoff. I spent a day or so making his coffin and tombstone. After I gave them to Gwen, I helped her bury Jimmy in a spot in her garden. I didn't charge her, because she was family, but she gave me a dollar anyway.
Sadly, that day was the last time that I ever saw my cousin Gwen. I deployed just days later, and stayed until the war's end. Once it did, I was transferred to Blue Squadron. I still heard from Gwen from time to time through letters, the last one being December 3rd, 1945, just two days before our last flight. I wrote her back on the morning of December 5th, and mailed it at the base post office just before we took off. I would assume that it reached it's destination by now, but I don't know."
When James finished his story, all both Taylor and Redheart could do was stare in absolute shock.
"So he left behind family too", Taylor murmured, "It wasn't just me......"
"Wow Mr. James, um, from looking at you, I would have never guessed that you did things like that for people in your community. I bet that they were very thankful for what you did."
James nodded. "Yes, all of my customers were. And, d-do you think that there w-would be any market for something like that in P-Ponyville?"
Redheart shrugged. "Honestly Mr. James, I don't know. I mean, it's possible I suppose, but I don't know."
"If it was", James mused, "Then I guess that I would be the first to ever enter the mortuary business for pets. Well, at least the first human anyway."
"Hmm, that kind of sounds like something a friend of mine, Flutters, would do."
"Um, who's Flutters?"
"Oh, she was the one who helped me find Taylor when he first arrived in Equestria. She helped me examine him, as well as in getting him to the hospital. Animals are her passion, and since she is extremely well known for taking care of sick and injured creatures, it's highly possible that she has seen some of them die. Maybe she would have need of your services, and if so, then maybe she could recommend you to others."
James nodded. "Yes. Yes, I think that you may be on to something Nurse Redheart! Um, where can I find Miss Flutters?"
Redheart shrugged. "Well, to be perfectly honest Mr. James, I don't have her address. However, I do know that she does live in Ponyville, and that she lives close to the Everfree Forest. I'm sure that somepony in town can point you in the right direction."
"Yes, well, I guess that settles that then. I'll finish drawing up my business plan tonight, and tomorrow, I guess that I'll go see if I can find Miss Flutters."
"Ok then, and I wish you the best of luck with your business endevors Mr. James."
"As do I James. From what you have told me, what you can do is an extraordinary gift. I hope that you use it well, and follow your dream. Maybe God has a plan to use your 'pet funeral business', in your future. I'll be praying for you."
James nodded, smiling. "Thank you Taylor. Now then, I hope that you don't mind, but I have plans to draw up, so I'll be heading back up to my room."
"Ok then, goodbye James. I'll call you if I need anything."
"Goodbye Taylor." And with that, James left to go put the final finishing touches on his new business plan.
"Wow, I'm really hoping that he succeeds with his plan Taylor."
"So do I Redheart. He must have a lot of talent if he was able to maintain his side-business. Let's just hope that he can maybe do that all over again."
"Here's to hoping Taylor, here's to hoping."
Taylor then leaned back on the bed, as it was time to administer another of his eye treatments.
The rest of that day was a bit of a blur for Taylor. It mostly consisted of him exercising walks with Nurse Redheart, (whom he dubbed his "seeing-eye Pony",) eye treatments, and having Redheart read to him a bit from a book on Ponyville history.
Then, at close to 4am the next morning, there suddenly came a knock at Taylor's door. Both he and Redheart were sleeping, but the knocking did wake both of them up.
"Huh? Who's that?"
"Um, I don't know Taylor. Come in!" She said to whoever was outside the door.
The door then opened, and Dr. Stables stepped in.
"Oh, Dr. Stables, what brings you here?"
The doctor finished looking over the clipboard that he had been holding with his magic before looking up at Nurse Redheart. "I've come here, because now that the four hours have passed since Mr. Taylor's final eyedrop treatment, the time has come to remove the bandages on his eyes."
Taylor was surprised. "T-the time h-has come to r-remove the b-bandages from my eyes?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes, the time is now Mr. Taylor. In a few more minutes, the bandages will be off, and for the first time since the accident, you may be able to see again."