The Lazarus Moment Read Online Free

didn’t know a word of it.
    But they
both spoke English.
    Over the
months, a bond had formed and not a day went by where they didn’t spend at
least an hour together speaking of their homes and their families.
    It had
been good therapy.
    It had
kept him sane.
    But they
both shared the same fate.
    Zokwana
was dying, just as he was.
    And just
as Khomenko’s family had meant everything to him, so did Zokwana’s, and it was
his constant concern they would be left with nothing, he a poor man with little
to show for a life of hardship.
    Khomenko
pulled up a chair by the window Zokwana was sitting in front of, the afternoon
sun pouring in, warming the chill out of the sterile room.
    “How are
you today?”
    Zokwana
shrugged. “As good as can be expected, I guess.”
    “Are you
still heading home tomorrow?”
    Zokwana
brightened. “Yes. It seems like I’ve been gone for years.”
    “I know
how you feel. I guess you’re looking forward to seeing your family. Have you
told them?”
    He shook
his head. “No. That’s news you have to deliver in person.”
    Khomenko’s
head bobbed as he watched a bee hop between the flowers outside. “True. How do
you think she’ll take it?”
    “She’s
strong, but I know she’ll be devastated.”
    “Of
course.”
    “I just
worry about her and the kids. We have nothing, and I’m afraid I used up all my
collateral to get these treatments.”
    And it
was that collateral Khomenko was counting on.
    For Zokwana
was no ordinary South African.
    He was
the cousin of its president.
    The
family was huge, as were many in South Africa, so the wealth hadn’t spread to
his portion of the clan, though when he had become sick, he had reached out and
in a goodwill gesture, was provided with treatment, but quietly, out of the
country, the president not wanting anyone to know he had helped a relative
obtain expensive medical treatment.
    Unfortunately
it had failed, and Zokwana was not long for this world.
    “What if
I told you I had a way for your entire family to be taken care of? Forever.”
    Zokwana stared
at him, his eyes narrowing. “I would ask you to share this wonderful revelation
with me.”
    Khomenko
smiled, Zokwana’s English at times interesting. He wondered if his own would
sound just as strange to an American. He quickly explained what would be needed
of his friend, then waited as Zokwana contemplated the offer. He finally spoke.
    “I
sacrifice myself now, sacrifice my final days with my family, but in doing so,
I save them all.”
    Khomenko
nodded. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I’ve been promised a significant amount
of money to reward your wife and children for their sacrifice. Once the job is
done, you need never worry about them again.”
    A tear
rolled down Zokwana’s cheek, his eyes glassing over as a pained expression took
hold. “When?”
    “Three
weeks.”
    Zokwana
gasped, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his chair. “Three weeks,” he
whispered. “Three weeks.”
    “Three
weeks to say goodbye. Cherish them. I had none.”
    Zokwana
reached out and squeezed Khomenko’s hand, a move that a year ago would have
probably resulted in a punch to the face. But not today. He squeezed back. “You
are right, of course. Three weeks is an eternity. But they mustn’t know.” He
smiled. “I won’t tell them I’m dying. I don’t want our last days together to be
sad, I want them to be happy.”
    Khomenko
smiled. “I think that’s a great idea. Let them think you died like the others,
a victim of a terrible accident. Then my people will deliver your wife the
money. We’ll tell her you had purchased life insurance when you were here.”
    Zokwana’s
smile broadened and he wiped away the tears staining his cheeks. “That’s
perfect.” He sighed. “I’ve known I was going to die for some time now, but I
never dreamed it would be like this.”
    Khomenko
looked at his friend. “Are you having doubts?”
    Zokwana
shook his head. “No, I’d rather die on my