Shorties: Number 46

Touchdown jolted him fully awake.  Tony jumped in his seat causing his two seatmates to look at him.  Both regarded him with disdain since Tony snored the whole trip.  Neither said a word as Tony looked about trying to comprehend where he was and why he was there.  Remembrance dawned as Tony remembered working his full shift the previous evening before driving to the airport for his 8:00 AM flight.  He had to be with family on Thanksgiving Day but it wasn’t the reason for the trip. 

He considered himself fortunate to find a flight at the last minute.  Given the circumstances, he really had no choice.  He couldn’t drive across the country with the short time he had but needed to be there for his family.  Trying to suppress emotions of that thought, Tony said, “I’m sorry if I snored.”

The lady seated next at the window said, “No, it wasn’t too bad.”  She lied.

Still shaking the cobwebs from his head, he turned on his cell phone and after the cell signal connected, text messages began rolling in, causing multiple ring tones to erupt into the cabin.  Tony reduced the volume but they kept coming.  Passengers seated four rows forward turned to see who was so rude as to cause such a disturbance.  After 15-20 messages received, the lady next to him remarked, “You’re a popular man.”

Absentmindedly, Tony said, “My nephew committed suicide yesterday.”

Shock met Tony’s seatmates and they chimed, “I’m so sorry.” “My condolences.”

Tony felt bad for them.  It is a rotten situation to hear about.  What do you say to that other than what they just said?  What would he say to his brother who found his son?  A young man of 24, Stephen had a promising future.  What could have pushed him to hang himself?  What words can be pulled together to console the father who found his son in the moments before death stopped playing around and took him.  Who knows how long he struggled before his father thought to open the door?

What thoughts crossed Stephen’s mind when he realized death wouldn’t come quickly?  How long did he struggle?  Tony’s mind boggled to consider it.  What about his brother who found his son like that?  What do you say to someone after an impossible situation as he tried to save his son?  Bitterness filled his heart as Tony gathered his carryon and exited the plane. 

He walked passed baggage claim and to the curb.  His mother’s white Buick pulled.  After sitting in the passenger seat he turned to his mother.  Her face revealed all Tony needed to know about her heart.  She was broken.  He had never seen her like this before but his spirit completely identified.  After standard, automated greetings, Tony asked, “How’s Will?”

“As well as can be expected.”  She searched for words happier words but none that meant anything could be found.  She simply looked at her son with eyes that spoke desolation.  Her grandson was gone.  He chose to leave them all and went in a horrible fashion.  How she wished Will hadn’t found Stephen still alive.  It would have been bad enough to find him dead but to see him fighting against the tide with dwindling strength sucked the life from father and son.  Will blamed himself and was inconsolable. 

During the ride, Tony braced himself for the inevitable.  He could think of nothing to say to his Will.  When he finally saw his big brother, he spoke the only words that made sense.  “I’m so sorry, Will.  I love you and I’m here for you.”