In The Blink of An Eye

by Marie S Zachary

Mr. Perry thought he was doing what was best for his family. After all his oldest child followed in his footsteps and went to medical school and she was a girl but it wasn't Neil's passion. His passion was acting and finally both Neil and his mother have the courage to stand up to Mr. Perry but by then it's too late Surprise twist at the end Oneshot for now but may continue

Disclaimer: I don't own Dead Poet's Society

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"Don't worry," Mr. Perry tried to reassure his sobbing wife, "He'll make something great out of his life just like his sister. He'll go to Harvard med-"

"DON'T YOU GET IT," Mrs. Perry snapped at her husband, "THAT'S NOT WHAT HE WANTS. THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT FOR HIM."

She saw the look in his eyes. She knew that he was not pleased but she didn't give a damn. All her life she had been afraid well no more.

"I want what's best for my son," Mr. Perry said calmly.

"What's best for him is the theater," Mrs. Perry replied, "It's his dream and you should support him."

"I will not allow him to go down a path that will kill him," Mr. Perry countered.

"This isn't about him it's about you," Mrs. Perry said, "You're ashamed of the fact that he doesn't want to be a doctor."

"No," Mr. Perry said, "My brother was an actor. You know what happened to him. Drugs. Depression and eventually he ended up destroying his own life. Now I suggest you stop being so snippy!"

"It happens to be-"
The door handle turned and Neil walked in. He had heard their whole conversation.

"Uncle Perry was an actor," he asked surprised.

"He was a pretty good one too," Mr. Perry replied, "and if he hadn't started acting he would have been alive today."

"Why couldn't you have told me that dad," Neil asked, "If you had maybe I wouldn't have done what I did."

"Done what you did? What did you do?"

"Go into my room," Neil said, "You'll see"

"Who are you talking to," Mrs. Perry asked confused.

"I'm talking to Neil," Mr. Perry replied with a 'duh' tone in his voice.

"He's not here," Mrs. Perry said.

"Stop playing games," Mr. Perry replied.

"It's not a game," Mrs. Perry said putting a hand on his forehead, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Of course," Mr. Perry said, "Now I'm going to go into Neil's room to see what he did and we may or may not have a serious talk about whatever it is he did."
Mr. Perry went into Neil's room and found him with a gunshot wound that had fatally killed him. He looked to see his son but all he found was a one sentence note.

I love you but clearly I'm not good enough for you and I won't sacrifice myself any longer.