Short Story

Well, i never made it back on the computer yesterday but here is what I've been kicking around in my head lately. Finally got it on paper/computer. Hopefully you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it. Feel free to comment, let me know what you like / don't like. Hope Tuesday treats you well! Off to work!

LL Kool K

“Alright family, come here.” My dad gathered us up in a group hug (back then his arms were long enough to do such a thing) and we all just sobbed. We had lost someone my parents had known since their marriage and my sister and I had literally known our entire lives. I knew even then that it was the right thing to do. His level of living just wasn’t where it should be. He was in a better place, one without hip problems and a controlled bowel.

As a child I prided myself on not falling asleep unless I wanted to, except one night after my bath I came downstairs, Jason was sprawled out on the floor, I couldn’t resist laying down with him. My wet hair made me cold, and Jason was always so warm, before I knew it I was out like a light.

I’ve only won two races in my life. One was the Mile run in Kindergarten. The other took place on my street right before a baseball game. Jason wasn’t allowed to play in or even attend the games, even though he could still outrun most people and cheer real loud. We were piling in the car, and someone had left the door open to the house. Jason saw his opening and took it. Now my reflexes aren’t the fastest I’ll admit, but they were spot on that day. I dropped my glove and bat and took off after him, hoping to at least keep him in sight until he decided it was time to come home. To my surprise I actually caught up to Jason four houses down the street! As I walked him back to the house I explained that we would be home soon, and I would try to hit a home run for him. I was the first thing to catch up to Jason, but I would not be the last.

One of my first responsibilities growing up was making sure Jason got his breakfast and took his meds. He was usually really excited, he knew they were good for him, and didn’t taste too terrible when mixed with his food. One day I remember coming downstairs and fixing up his breakfast and pharmaceuticals and calling for him, but he wouldn’t come. I took his breakfast to him but he didn’t seem interested. It terrified me. He ALWAYS got up for breakfast.

We all have accidents, some when we are young, supposedly we can have them when we are older as well. Jason started having lots of accidents. He was usually so good about asking to be excused to go to the bathroom. One accident, two accidents, “Um may I be excused?” Two steps backward one step forward. This went on for a couple weeks, his hip would bother him more and more, breakfast was served in bed more and more. My parents sat Hannah and I down to discuss how best to put Jason to rest.

“He is going to get a shot from the doctor, and he’s going to fall asleep forever. Then he’ll be cremated and we will have a box of his ashes, we could even spread them out under his favorite bush if you wanted.” We agreed it was the best thing for Jason that we could do. It’s hard watching someone you love so dearly struggle through the basics of life (IE eating and eliminating.) We got out of school early one day, and went to the doctor with Jason for the last time. We were given a couple minutes with him before the shot was administered. I’ve always been an emotional guy and this was no different. I was losing my closest confidante! I don’t remember who let out the first sob. I do remember my sister being the last one to lose her composure, but it was not due to a lack of emotion. The doctor came in and administered the final shot and let us be with Jason in his final minutes. He was very gracious for all the love we had shared with him over the years. You could tell he appreciated us choosing to let him go to a better place, for his happiness over ours. He looked at each of us a final time and took his last conscious breath. The doctor came and took him away, and we slowly exited the office. In the parking lot we gathered in for our first family hug without Jason.

“Alright family, come here.” My dad gathered us up in a group hug (back then his arms were long enough to do such a thing) and we all just sobbed. We had lost someone my parents had known since their marriage and my sister and I had literally known our entire lives. I knew even then that it was the right thing to do. His level of living just wasn’t where it should be. He was in a better place, one without hip problems and a controlled bowel.

We will always remember him. You never forget your first pet.

RIP Jason Keely!