Disclaimer: I don't own TDI or any of the characters. The OC in this chapter is of my own creation.
Staring at the dying face before me, I felt my heart sink. A man once so full of life, the smirk fading, the life slipping away in front of my own eyes. In the instant that I blinked, his eyes suddenly became alert and his voice steady.
"You know," he began, "it wasn't always like this. Years ago, I had everything I'd ever wanted and I threw it all away. But there are days where I can just close my eyes and go back. To the love of my life, happy family, good job. It's like I'm there again—back to those moments where everything felt right."
I was coming to the
end of a long long walk
When a man crawled out of a cardboard
box
Under the E. Street Bridge
Followed me on to it
I went
out halfway across
With that homeless shadow tagging along
So I
dug for some change
Wouldn't need it anyway
He took it lookin'
just a bit ashamed
He said, You know, I haven't always been this
way
Not sure of what to say, I simply nodded. His eyes grew wistful and he smiled sadly.
"It all started with the show. With her. She was my princess, the most beautiful girl in the world. In a lot of ways, she saved me from myself. And dammit, we were happy. We were happy! Marriage and a family, the whole 2.5 kids white-picket fence lifestyle. The juvenile delinquent was gone. Everything I ever wanted was in the palm of my hand and I just blew it all away." He sighed and wiped a single tear from his eye.
I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like that plane ride coming home from the war
That summer my son was born
And memories like a coat so warm
A cold wind can't get through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments
"I remember holding my infant son in my arms. He was so innocent and looked exactly like she did. He was just like her—bossy, demanding, but also kind and loving. The day she became the District Attorney, the joy in her eyes. It made me feel on top of the world. I held her and it felt like time had stopped. It was just the two of us, and we could face anything down."
I stood there trying to find my nerve
Wondering if a single soul on Earth
Would care at all
Miss me when I'm gone
That old man just kept hanging around
Looking at me, looking down
I think he recognized
That look in my eyes
Standing with him there I felt ashamed
I said, "You know, I haven't always been this way."
"The hours at her job were long." He shook his head regretfully. "I missed waking up with her every morning and going to bed with her in my arms every night. I didn't know how to tell her so I turned to alcohol. It got worse and worse. I neglected the things that mattered and threw it all away."
I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like the day I walked away from the wine
For the woman who became my wife
And a love like that, when it was right,
Could always see me through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments
"The first wakeup call, I walked away from the liquor. I celebrated with her when she became the governor. But that only meant longer and longer hours. The craving, the addiction, it was back. I destroyed everything that had ever meant a thing to me." His voice began to choke up and his hand started to shake.
I know somewhere 'round a trash can fire tonight
That old man tells his story one more time
He says
"When she finally realized how far gone I was, she forced me to choose. I made the wrong choice. It all went downhill from there. I lost my job, my family. I was sleeping in a box on under a bridge, seeing only memories flashing in my head and the pitying looks the passing strangers gave me. I had decided to end it all. My life meant nothing without her, I had nothing to lose."
I've had my moments, days in the sun
Moments I was second to none
Moments when I knew I did what I thought I couldn't do
Like a cool night on the E. Street bridge
When a young man almost ended it
I was right there, wasn't scared a bit
And I helped to pull him through
Lookin' at me now you might not know it
But I've had my moments
I've had my moments
I've had my moments
I've had my moments
"And staring at the busy street that would be my death, I just couldn't do it. I had to change, get my life back together. I ended up being an addiction counselor at a rehab facility. But I never got over her. All I could do was be happy for her—every accomplishment displayed on the newspapers, a remarriage, children. It killed me, but I did it anyways. Looking at me in this hospital bed, you may not know it. But I've had moments."
With that, he closed his eyes and I heard the loud beeping of machines going off. He was gone.
Everyone shed more than a few tears at the funeral. The papers noted the presence of the former Vice-President, Courtney Davison. She had been quiet for the most part, biting her lip and trying not to cry. Staring at her ex-husband's lifeless body, she had whispered, "I still love you, Duncan. And I always will." And then she hurriedly left, trying to keep her composure.
Everyone else had left too. I was the only left at the cemetery, staring at the grave. Touching the cold tombstone, my fingers ran over the smooth indentations reading "Duncan Matthews". Wiping a tear from my eye, I whispered, "Goodbye, father."
A/N: I don't own the song "Moments" by Emerson Drive. Did you like it? R&R!