Page 62 of Drake Eternal

Just like him to do his best to appear strong and not in need of help.

I turned back around and watched out the window as we drove along the remote dirt road towards the forest where my father’s plane had crashed. All around us were the hills and scrub brush that dotted the plains. Ahead was the forest, and the baobab tree where my father’s remains were buried.

I watched Sophie and Liam as we arrived at the forest. They both seemed quiet, and not excited as I expected, but of course, the event was somber. They would be visiting the grave of the grandfather they never knew.

The site was as I remembered it — not far from the base camp where Liam was staying, before going into Somalia to help with the war wounded.

On the ground next to the tallest baobab tree was the grave marker. I stood with Sophie and Liam, my arms around them. Kate stood with her father and Elaine. Michael stood to my left.

I read the words inscribed on the marker.

Liam James Morgan, MD.

Here lies Liam James Morgan, trauma surgeon, bass player, philanthropist. Loving father and dedicated Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders volunteer who died serving the people of Africa doing what he loved best. You will be missed forever.

Rest In Peace

Sophie, Michael and Liam went to the tall baobab tree and bent down to lay a flower at the grave marker. Kate slipped her arm around me and laid her hand on Ethan’s shoulder, who was sitting in his wheelchair beside her.

For a few moments, we all were silent, each of us thinking about my father, who he was to us, and what kind of crazy brave man he’d been. I glanced over to Ethan, who was visibly shaken to see his old war buddy’s grave. They were such opposites in many ways — my father the left-wing dreamer of a better world and Ethan a steadfast capitalist and Republican. Yet, they found something in common — a desire to survive the war, glad to find camaraderie with each other.

I was so glad that they had become friends, because it was that friendship that gave me the life that I could never image possible — a beautiful loving woman like Kate who was happy to be a stepmother to my son Liam, and a beautiful daughter like Sophia.

As I watched each person as they made their way to the grave marker, I knew without a doubt that I was the luckiest man alive, and I was going to ensure everyone in my family knew it every day we had together for the rest of our lives.