Life - Message From The Past

6-The End of Day One

Jeremy's Home

The shuttle drive back to town could not have been quieter for Jeremy. Embarrassed for having Clint step into an argument at the clinic silenced the younger man. Though to his credit, he did not just leave the van without words of remorse.

"Clint, Audrey? Before I step out of the van I need to apologize for my actions today."

"No Jeremy, you don't have anything to..." Clint tried to let Jeremy off the hook but the mason would have none of that.

"Yes...I do Clint. You and Audrey have been great to me and to Gwen. Volunteering is very important to you and I don't want my stupidity to spoil the joy you find in helping others like me." Jeremy sighed. "I know there is no excuse for having an argument at the clinic with Gwen over nothing."

"Well thanks, Jeremy." Clint made his way to the sliding door smiling at his wife as he passed her window.

Jeremy stepped out of the shuttle. "Thanks again, Clint, and sorry about..."

This time Clint stopped Jeremy from finishing his sentence. He spoke softly to the younger man. "What you are going through right now is likely the single most challenging thing you will ever have to face. No one has this all figured out yet so I am not going to judge you for that thing earlier today."

Clint gave Jeremy a pat on his shoulder. "Now say goodbye to Audrey and forget all about it, okay?"

Jeremy grabbed his bag as he softly shook his head then stopped at the open window and smiled before speaking. "Thanks for taking the day to make sure we made it to the city and back. I appreciate your supportive words, Audrey."

Audrey smiled at the apologetic man. "You know, I think Gwen is wrong about you." She left Jeremy with that simple message before giving a small wave as Clint backed out of his driveway.

Jeremy walked into his home, tossed his bag on the sofa, and continued to the kitchen. He didn't eat all day and pulled the door of his fridge. "Leftover spaghetti or leftover bbq chicken? Don't be bashful, both! Why not?"

Just then Pete showed up at the back door. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I live here, Pumpkin." Jeremy set the chicken down and replied with the same question. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I bumped into Clint and Audrey and they said you were already home!" Pete seemed angry. "What the hell? So you have just given up?"

"No, I haven't just given up! I am about to eat, you moron." Jeremy shoved the bowl of spaghetti into the microwave. "Would a man who had given up be eating dinner?"

Pete looked at the chicken on the table. "If you are eating this, then yeah. We had this chicken over a week ago!"

"Really?" He looked at Pete. "That long? Huh," Jeremy shrugged. "Time flies when...blah blah blah." He walked into the living room.

"Hey, hey! Boss?" Pete followed quickly only to see him staring at his parent's photo.

"They didn't get to enjoy their golden years." Jeremy glanced at his friend. "Doesn't look like I will get that chance either."

"Hey, Bud. They had a great life. Together, what? Forty years!"

"Forty years married, right out of high school. Man, they loved each other." Jeremy pulled the photo down off the wall.

"Oh hey hey, Boss. Are you okay?" Pete guided his friend to the comfy chair. "Sit down." He watched him stare at the photo.

"I have never seen you so devastated in my entire life!" Pete pulled a memory from the past. "Even the time you hit the post on that breakaway ~ they came back down and scored before you picked your ass off the ice." Pete sat on the coffee table and looked at his friend. "We lost the championship and your girlfriend broke up with you after the game."