I got home just before the kids got home from school, and they all came in and said their usual “Hello,” and ran up to their rooms. I was sitting in my home office doing some light research about one of my projects when there was a knock on the door. It was rather loud and demanding, so I got up and answered it. What I saw was not what I expected. I saw two uniformed police officers, and thought, oh shit, Jim must have filed assault charges against me or something.
“Mr. Jordan, I am Officer Smith, and this here is my partner, Officer Dunleavey. We have a couple of questions for you, if you don’t mind. May we come in for a minute?”
The shorter one, Dunleavey, just stared at me. “Sure Officers, come on in.”
I waved them in and over to the couch. “Would you gentlemen like some coffee?”
“No, thank you, sir. We really just need to ask you a few questions,” Smith said.
“Ok, I will help in any way that I can. What’s this all about?” I asked.
“Yesterday afternoon, where were you?” Smith asked.
“I was home, of course. I am still recovering from a coma I was in, but am feeling much better now, than when I first woke up. I should be returning to work next week, if everything checks out with my therapist.”
“Did you ever leave the house, during the day or afternoon?”
“I left the house to go to get some things from the store, but that was about ten AM. After that I came back here, did my exercise routine, and then took a nap. I woke up around two-thirty PM, did some remote work from my home office, and then the kids got home from school. Am I in trouble? Do I need a lawyer or something?”
“Sir, you could request one, but at this time, we are just asking some questions to establish what happened yesterday. Do you want to call a lawyer?” When I shook my head, he continued. “So, where were you at approximately five PM yesterday?”
“Hmm, five o’clock would have put us having dinner. My wife came over, to help my daughter plan her up-coming wedding, and we had a family dinner around that time. Once the dinner was done, I watched some TV and then went to bed.”
“You said your wife came over, does she not live here?” This was Dunleavey asking a question.
I turned to him, “Well yes, but we are separated at the moment, so she is living with her parents. What’s this all about, anyhow?”
Smith looked at his partner, who nodded his head and started to explain a little. “Sir, we found your friend, Mr. Jim Harding was found dead last night in a motel room, with several GSW’s to the chest. That’s Gun Shot Wounds to you. We questioned everyone at the motel, and at his work, and his receptionist mentioned that you had stopped by to see him a few days ago. Is that right?”
“Yes, I did, to catch up on old times. I wanted to catch up on what I missed, while I was in the coma.”
“Was there any argument or disagreement during that meeting?” Dunleavey asked this one again.
“No, we talked over coffee, and afterwards I left and came home. I had a physical therapy appointment that afternoon that I didn’t want to miss.” I didn’t kill him, but there was no way I was going to admit fighting with him, either. I just hoped they didn’t know the truth.
“Ok, well you have answered everything we have for you at the moment, but please don’t leave town until we can get this mess figured out.” Smith said.
“No problem, I will be here.”
With that, they left and shut the door on the way out. What the hell? Jim was dead? What the fuck did he do now to get shot up in a motel room? Did he get caught with some other man’s wife, too? I had no answers other than my ex-best friend was now gone. I definitely had mixed feelings about his death. Regardless of what he had done with my wife, before that, he was the best friend I ever had.
The next night, when Jennifer came over to help with the planning again, she asked me about it. She said the cops visited her, as well. I told her I had nothing to do with it. I wasn’t too sad that he was gone, but would never have done anything like that. I didn’t even own a gun.
I had gone to see Rose two more times, both going down the same path as I had the first visit. I was starting to realize, that maybe, I was part of the problem. I was starting to think I had a selfish streak, and was doing a lot of things in my life ONLY for me. My family meant more to me than anything, but if I was worrying more about myself than others too much, it could be hurting them. I would have to work on that.
The last few weeks of school flew by, and, before we knew it, Sidney’s graduation was upon us. Of course Jennifer came, as well as both of our sets of parents. They wouldn’t miss such a big event, even if the world was coming to an end. We sat and watched Sidney march across the stage to receive her Diploma, and alternated between clapping and hooting as she shook hands with the Principal. I think there were a few tears in folk’s eyes at that sight.
As I sat next to my boys on my left, Jenn was sitting on my right side. As we watched her graduate, Jenn slipped her hand into mine at one point. The contact felt good, so I just left it for a bit, until it was time for us to stand up and cheer for her.
We sat back down but she didn’t reach for my hand again. After the ceremony, she came over to us and we all hugged her. A few of her friends came over, and we congratulated them. After we all left, we went home, where we had a small party in her honor. I cooked on the barbeque, and both sets of Sidney’s grandparents were there to help with the rest of the food. Jenn had made a dish too, so we were more than covered to feed everyone.
It was a great afternoon. Sidney was the real gem of the party, floating around talking with everyone. You could just tell she was on cloud nine after graduating. Jarred was also with her most of the time, so that could have had something to do with her happiness, too. All I know was when I looked around, I saw my family. The people who mattered the most to me were all there, and enjoying the celebration. It truly was a happy day.
After everyone pitched in to help cleanup, the guests all left for home. Jenn stuck around to work with Sidney on a few last minute wedding details, then left for the night herself. When I went to bed, I felt both happy and sad. The day was great. It had truly felt like things were as they should be.
I woke up the next morning, and life moved on. My little girl just graduated, and in about a week would be getting married. I still couldn’t believe that. It was only just yesterday that she was learning to ride a bike, and playing with a tea set in her room with Jenn. I was invited to a few of those tea parties too. I smiled, thinking about those good times.