Off To a Better Place

They had lunch last week. Despite a minor feud that had been going on over the last few months they were talking on the phone every night and having lunch or dinner at least twice a week just as they always had. After all, they were not only brothers but the best of friends.

Both of them thought they were hilarious when most of the time they were really just hilarious to each other. Bill understood Scott and Scott understood Bill, two peas in a pod. Though best friends they had their differences. Bill knew nothing of technology while Scott was always curious about the new bluetooth speaker or cell phone gadgets. Bill wore Crocs or Uggs and owned a mobile home park in the mountains, Scott dressed a bit more classy and owned a precision and alignment shop in Redlands. 

They would stay up late talking and joking around on the phone. No one could make them laugh the way they made each other laugh. They talked to each other in a way they could never talk to any one; they could be their raw selves with not a care in the world.

I remember as a little girl going up to Uncle Bill and Aunt Cherry's house in the winter. They had two big hound dogs that I always enjoyed seeing. Uncle Bill would always make fun of me in one way or another. One day he decided to make fun of my shoes and I wound up crying. His laugh reminded me of my father's, borderline obnoxious but not necessarily annoying, just unexpected. While he'd give me that awkward side hug, Aunt Cherry would almost squish me to death. One Winter we even made a ginger bread house that wouldn't stay standing. It was all okay though, It was family.

Bill had a doctors appointment yesterday, a regular check up. Everything looked alright so away he went driving up the mountain to Crestline, where he lived. One hour later something wasn't right. In fact something was very wrong. He was alone, probably had no idea where his cell phone was but went to the kitchen to find it. It was too late.

A heart attack and not even 60 years old. He hadn't even made it to the hospital before his soul was gone.