Hey guys, this is just a quick drabble I did during class as I was listening to the Elton John song I want love. It's not the best, and not the longest. I just hope you guys like it.
"A man like me is dead in places other men feel liberated…"
The Elton John song played softly in the background while he stared off into nothingness. He was never the music kind, heck if you asked him who The Beatles were he wouldn't know, yet this song he knew. He knew it well. Jethro sipped his bourbon as memories came crashing into his mind, 20 year old memories.
"Gunny…they're both dead. I'm terribly sorry Jethro…"
"No…NO!"
He took immediate leave as soon as he received the gut wrenching news. The days crept by painfully slow, his agony only increasing. It got to the point where time ceased, where every movement was forced, where every breath stung. The funeral was long over, yet he stayed by them for hours or perhaps even days. He didn't know. His whole purpose for living died alongside with them. He kneeled before the gravesites which read Shannon Gibbs and Kelly Gibbs.
His hoarse voice broke the silence of the cemetery, "Why did you leave me? This is all my fault…" His voice broke as he continued to stare in disbelief at the two epitaphs. "If I hadn't left you would still be alive…I c-could've pr-protected you…I should have said no…I didn't need to go away…You would still be here." He sat back, wiping his tears away as he shakily pointed a gun at himself.
"I feel nothing, I just feel cold. Don't feel nothing, just old scars toughening up around my heart."
What was the point of living once you lose everything? He thought to himself as his finger brushed against the trigger. "My…my baby, my Kelly. My little girl…" Tears once again blurred his vision as he remembered her pleads the day he was scheduled to depart, "Daddy don't leave! Please don't go daddy. Don't leave me!" He simply hugged her and said he would come back.
His finger lingered on the trigger as he closed his eyes, saying his last goodbyes.
"Honey you have so much to live for. You don't have to do this." His eyes shot open and widened. He recognized the voice, it was Shannon's. He whipped his head, searching for the source of her voice yet it was left unknown. He realized it was only his mind playing tricks on him and once again he pointed the gun at himself. This time a soft, thinner voice broke the silence, "Daddy, daddy it's okay. I love you so much daddy and I know you miss us but you have to stay. Daddy I love you, and remember we will forever live in your heart." "I love you Jethro…" The voices faded away as though the wind carried them off. He opened his tear filled eyes, putting the gun down. He buried his face in his hands, stifling the cries.
"I want love…"
He finished his bourbon and smiled, remembering that moment, the moment where they saved his life. The pain of that day 16 years ago lingered as though it was engraved in his heart but he realized he was thankful, thankful for still being here. He had saved so many lives, brought comfort and closure to families whose loved ones have been stolen away just like his. He knew then, that moment at the cemetery that this was what he was meant to do. Life had chewed him and spit him out, yet life had now gave him a new family. Of course he missed them everyday, every hour and every minute nevertheless he found out his purpose in life.
"I love you guys…"