Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 07:44:10 -0700 (PDT) From: Puer Amore Subject: "Forgive me, Jody" by Barry Forgive me, Jody (PT I) By Barry pueresamo@yahoo.com Disclaimer: This work is one of fiction. Any resemblance of persons or places mentioned in this story to actual persons or places is only slightly more than coincidence. Copyright 2006 Barry. All Rights Reserved. I had taken a long overdue vacation to the glorious hills of West Virginia. It's a beautiful State and vast expanses of it are as pristine today as in the days when Daniel Boone walked those same hills. Most of my family is still there. I left shortly after High School Graduation and, eventually, found my way to Dallas, Texas. One evening during my stay at my Mother's house, I was surprised when my mother came to me with the wireless phone, saying: It's for you. Huh! I said. Who could it be? I thought. It was my friend, Steve, calling from Dallas. As soon as I heard his voice, I thought: Oh NO! Don't tell me the apartment has caught fire or something. Hi Steve, What a surprise! I exclaimed. Barry, Steve started, there is no easy way to tell you this...Jody is Dead. My legs went, instantly weak. Thankfully I was sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. But How?...When? I asked. I don't know all the particulars, Barry. Jody's Dad, Joe, called. He didn't know how to reach you. After several days of trying, he finally got my name from Gary, who's in jail for shooting Jody in the head. Oh My God! I exclaimed. Joe wants you to call him, right away. Steve said. OK, Steve, I'll call him right now. I said, Thanks for calling, Steve, I know it had to be difficult for you to convey this news. Thanks! One more thing, Barry. Steve inserted. OK, I replied. Don't rush back. Steve advised. Jody's autopsy is over and he was cremated today, after a brief memorial service. There's nothing to rush home for, OK? Thank you, Steve. I replied. I'll see you when I get back. I love you. I added. Love you too, my friend. Steve replied. Bye. As quickly as I could gain a new dial tone, I called Joe. He answered in a voice so sad I wanted to cry. Joe, I said, it's Barry. I just got the word. My God, what happened? I asked. Oh Barry, I'm so glad you called. I need your help again, right away. Joe declared. Sure Joe, what do you need? I replied. I need to hire an attorney for Gary. I don't have the money for the retainer, and I don't want him defended by the public defender. Please help me. Joe explained. Of Course Joe! Call my friend Don and tell him the situation....better yet, I'll call him at home and have him call you to get the ball rolling. I'll tell him I'm covering his retainer. I instructed. Joe, for God's sake, what happened? I asked again. It was an accident, Barry. It was my fault, but it was an accident. Joe said, his voice trembling. Dear God, Joe, How did it happen? I asked. The boys got into another fight, Barry. You know how they've been for the last year or so. Gary's twice my size now, so it's hard for me to break them up when they fight. Joe explained. They were really into it this time. Gary had Jody by the throat, and Jody was turning blue. I tried to get between them, but I was knocked to the ground. I didn't know what to do, so I ran into the house and got my gun. I thought if I fired a shot or two into the air, it might break the two of them up. It didn't work. When I saw it didn't work and that Jody was losing consciousness, I tried, again to get between them and put Gary's hands from Jody's throat. At some point, the gun, which I still had, or Gary had, I'm not sure, actually, who wound up with the gun. Anyway, the gun fired into Jody's head. Oh God, Barry, Joe sobbed. It killed him instantly. Jody fell to the ground immediately, as did the gun. Gary attempted CPR on Jody till the paramedics and the police arrived. They ordered him to stop. It was obvious Jody was dead. The paramedics went through the motions. They hooked Jody up to the machines, but there was no heartbeat, no breathing no nothing. Joe continued. They transported Jody to the trauma center, where he was pronounced dead. Joe concluded. My God, Joe. I said. It's surreal. I can't imag..... I know, Barry, Joe interrupted, I can hardly believe it myself, and I saw it happen. Why they arrested Gary instead of me, I'm not sure. They're trying to charge him with murder, Joe explained. MURDER! I interjected. You can't be serious. I said. They have refused to set bail for Gary, so far. Even if they did, I can't afford the bail bondsman. Joe asserted. Gary has asked for you repeatedly. Could you please call him? Joe requested. Of course, Joe. I said. Joe gave me the number and explained that I was on Gary's call list, but he could only take calls between 9PM to 10PM during the evening, right before lights- out, but that during the day, he could call me collect at various times. OK, Joe. I'll call him. I assured him. I understand that Jody's body has already been cremated. I suggested. Yes, Joe said. We spread his ashes, already, too. I see. I replied. OK, Joe. I'll call Don right away and have him to contact you. Don't worry; I'll cover his retainer, so he can get into see Gary right away. If, for any reason, I can't reach him, I'll call you back. Thanks, Barry. I owe you....AGAIN. Joe said. This is what friends are for, Joe. I said. And you've always been one. Joe replied. Thanks, Joe. I said. I'll be back in Dallas on Sunday. In the meantime, keep me posted on how things proceed. I requested. I left Joe the number to reach me and hung up. Later, when the hour arrived, I called Gary. When the guard went to get him I was left to listen to all the din one would expect from a jail setting. The clanging of metal, the chatter, jeering, and laughing of inmates filled the phone and made me realize just what Gary was contending with. He would need all his phony bravado and macho now, I thought. Hello! A voice finally filled the line. It was Gary. Gary, It's Barry. I'm sorry, sweetheart; I only just got the word. I declared. Barry, thank God! I've been asking for you for days. Gary said. I've been in West Virginia on vacation, Gary. They only now tracked me down. I'm sorry. I replied. Listen, I continued, I know we only have a couple of minutes. I'm helping to get you a lawyer. You should be hearing from him tomorrow. I arranged it with him earlier tonight. His name is Don. He's talking with your Dad, right now. Thank you, Barry. Gary replied. Barry, please believe me, it was an accident. Gary said. I understand, Gary. Your Dad told me what happened. I assured him. I'm sorry, Barry. I know how much you loved Jody. I'm so sorry. Gary repeated. Yes, and I love you too, Gary, and you are where we must focus our attention now. I replied. Don will take good care of you. I'll come to see you as soon as I get back to Dallas. Perhaps Don will have gotten you out on bail by then. Either way, your Dad will keep me informed, till I get back. I instructed. Thanks, Barry. Gary said. Time's UP! I could hear the officer tell Gary. Gotta go now, Barry. Thanks for everything. Gary said. Bye Gary. See you soon. A loud click was my only response. A damper was, thus, placed upon any enjoyment I might have otherwise gotten from my vacation. Still, it engendered a new appreciation in me for the many loved ones, both family and friends, whom I still had in my life. The time I spent with my siblings, their kids, my mother, and the many other loved ones I was with, was even more precious. When the time arrived for my return to Dallas, I found it difficult to say goodbye to my loved ones, even more than it usually is, after losing Jody. Suddenly, I realized that any of them could be taken away at any time...In the wink of an eye. My mother took me to the airport and we visited until my flight was called. After the ritual hugs and kisses, I parted company with my mother, looking back and waving to her, as I went through security. Once in the air, my mind began to wander back to the beginnings of my relationship with Jody, Gary, and their family. It all began at the company picnic. Hi Joe, I said, good to see you. May I sit here? I asked. Sure, he said. Joe and his wife and sons were at one of the only covered picnic tables, and the weather had been threatening all day. The boys were off playing, chasing, and doing boy things. Barry, this is my wife, Samantha.....or "Sam" as we all call her. Hi Barry, Sam said, extending her hand. I've heard so many wonderful things about you. It's good to finally meet you. Thanks! It's good to meet you as well. I replied. Holy Crap! I thought. This woman is HUGE....not fat....HUGE. She could probably beat the stuffing out of Joe and me simultaneously, and with one hand tied behind her back. Joe, a man of small stature, didn't seem the logical choice to have married this woman. I was really taken aback. "Sam", indeed, I thought...how appropriate. Thanks for letting me join you. I said. I won't make it too crowded for the boys, will I? Naw! Joe replied. We won't likely see much of them, except to eat, anyway. Have a seat, Barry...Take the load off. Joe said. OK. I agreed. Have a piece of anniversary cake, Barry. Sam invited. Joe and I just celebrated our 20th. WOW! I said. 20 years. Yup, Joe chimed in; 20 years ago we first met at the Carney. Carney? I inquired. Joe chuckled. You don't know what a Carney is? No, I guess I don't. I replied. It's a small traveling Carnival. They move from town to town and never stay in one place for very long. Sure! I said. I just wasn't familiar with that term. Carney, huh? I inserted. So you two attended one of these Carneys at the same time and met that way, huh? I asked. Oh, Hell No! Sam interrupted. We both worked there. Me first, then, when they hired Joe....well....it was love at first sight. Sam winked at Joe. Get this, Barry. I was a simple roustabout, but Sam was a Star. Joe declared. Really? I inquired. Yup, Sam said. I was the Bearded Woman! No Way! I chuckled. I bet I'll have more 5 O'clock shadow than you by the time the picnic is over. Wanna bet? Sam invited. That's OK! I believe you. I responded. They were, indeed, an unorthodox couple, but there was something strangely charming about them and their relationship. Joe and I worked together at the Dallas Herald, but I had never met his wife and kids. I was in an intern program, still finishing up journalism school and working for some pretty meager pay. Joe was in the operations department and was some sort of mechanic, working to keep the presses in proper working order. Oh Good! Sam said, here come the boys. I want them to meet you, Barry. Wonderful! I exclaimed, as two of the most beautiful boys I had ever seen approached the table. What's this, I thought; The tall one has one ball nearly visible through his thread bare Levi shorts. The other wasn't as visible, but pubic hairs from it were jutting out of the worn area on the other side of the zipper. Surely, Joe and Sam have noticed.....or...are they watching to see if I had noticed. These are our sons, Jody and Gary. Joe advised. It was not difficult to decode the DNA puzzle here. Gary was big, like his mother, except, not so beefy, more thin. Jody, like his Dad, was the little guy. Cute as a button, with warm brown eyes and the most engaging smile. Boys, this is my friend, Barry. You've heard me speak of him often. Sure, Gary piped up, nice to meet you, Barry. Dad thinks a lot of you. You must be pretty special; Dad doesn't have many good things to say about anyone. Gary smiled and extended his hand. It was all I could do to maintain eye contact with Gary as I shook his hand, as my overwhelming desire was to get another eye-full of those balls. Can I sit next to you? Gary asked. I'm starved. Sure! I exclaimed. Help yourself. Can I sit on the other side of you? Jody asked. Absolutely, if you wish. I responded. Sam chimed in: The boys are at that stage where anything one has, the other must have as well. Today, that would seem to be you, Barry. I'm flattered that either of them would wish to be at my side, I replied. I consider it a high compliment. Thank You, boys. I'm grateful, said Sam, it keeps them apart. Otherwise, we'd be breaking up a fight before the mashed potatoes are even gone. I winked at Sam and teased: No Way! You mean these two precious angels would actually fight to hurt each other? Move across the table and let them sit next to each other for a few minutes and find out. Sam teased back. I smiled. Gary was too occupied with a leg of chicken to respond, but not Jody: You think I'm an angel, really? He asked. I think all boys are angels, if you just give them a chance to be. I replied. Father Flanagan, of Boys Town fame, was fond of saying: "There is no such thing as a bad boy" I instructed. Yeah, Right! Gary offered. You disagree, I take it. I said to Gary. Fr. Flanagan never met me, did he? Gary added. Would you have been his exception? I asked Gary. Maybe. Gary said, rather matter-of-factishly. I see. I said. While this exchange was taking place with Gary, Jody had moved his plate and himself right next to me. We were shoulder to shoulder. Sam noticed and remarked: It seems you've made a new friend, Barry. Sam smiled at me. I placed an arm around Jody and said: I'm proud to have him be my friend, Sam; he's a delightful young man. I replied. I winked at Sam; she smiled again, nodding her head. Joe had kept busy with the chicken, potatoes, slaw, etc. all this time, but finally spoke up: They're basically good boys, but they're boys. They're a handful. I nodded. Jody finished his meal and then snuggled up even closer to me. I responded by holding him more tightly. Soon, he placed his head on my breast and placed one arm around my midsection. Sam nodded at me to look at Jody. He was sound asleep. I've never seen anything like this, Sam suggested. You've won his complete trust. He'd never sleep in anyone's arms like that. Not even mine or Joe's. He's a Wussy, injected Gary. He's an angel. I replied. Jody's head began to fall away from my breast as he fell into deeper sleep. I took my other hand and gently pressed it back to my breast and held it there gently. Sam's right, Barry. Joe agreed. He must trust you completely. He's never slept in anyone's arms....Not to my recollection, anyway. It's a high compliment, then. I responded. Joe nodded. Joe turned to Gary saying: Let's go toss the ball around for a while. OK, Gary replied. Joe and Gary departed, football and all. Sam began clearing the table. Jody would occasionally twitch in my arms, as he continued to sleep. He was dreaming. I was so touched by this. This sweet boy, asleep in my arms, trusting me not to fail him and drop him as he slept. He'd known me for less than an hour, but had surrendered himself to my arms. I began to love him, instantly and instinctively. It was as though it was I who was dreaming, not Jody. Should I wake him to let you alone? Sam asked. He's fine. I replied. I'm not uncomfortable. On the contrary, I'm flattered. He's enjoying you, that's for sure. Sam replied. Sam continued: He rarely sees any open affection. Neither Joe nor I are comfortable with demonstrating our affections with the boys, I'm sorry to say. It's just not our nature. It's not the Carney way. But, Sam, you can see how he hungers for it. I suggested. No, until I saw this today with you and Jody, I don't recall him ever showing any signs of being affection starved, this is really unique. Sam replied. She went on: He has taken to you like I've never seen him take to anyone. I think it would be quite healthy for him if you befriend him, give him some guidance and spend a little time and attention on him. I think, seeing this, it might jus be the medicine he needs. He needs medicine? I asked. I'm afraid so. Sam replied. He's had a number of problems at school and two close brushes with the law. Joe and I can't seem to get through to him. Joe's answer to beat him, but I haven't been able to get through to him with reason either. It's a mess. Maybe you can get through to him. You've certainly found some magic way to touch his heart already. God Sam! I don't want him beaten. I retorted. You really think I could help? I asked. It's worth a try, if you're willing. Sam said. I'll talk with Joe about it. She concluded. It was October, so I wasn't surprised when the wind began to blow out of the North and I felt its chill. I could see goose bumps beginning to form on Jody's arm as well. Sam, may I use that blanket on the end of the table, please? I asked. Sure, she said. I brought it in case we couldn't find a table and had to spread things out on the ground. Would you like me to cover the two of you with it? Please, I said, until he wakes up. She did as suggested. Now, Jody and I were in our own little cocoon of warmth. It was wonderful to feel the warmth of him. I leaned to kiss the top of his head. When I did, I got my first nose-full of his delightful scent. I was hooked. Thus, began my subsequent weekend visits with Jody.