day, and it’s a big deal, so I want a picture of you holding your diploma.” She gave him a fierce, unswerving glare that would have turned a cow into sour milk.
“I’d do it if I were you,” chimed in Jim. “Otherwise, you’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Fine, fine.” Jarrod stood up slowly with some help from Jim, and a picture was taken of Alec handing the diploma over to Jarrod, while shaking his hand. It turned out to be a lovely picture with both boys smiling widely. Only one thing was wrong. Alec still wore the cap and gown.
Jarrod continued going to his physical therapy sessions and seeing his doctors on a regular basis. Physically, he was feeling much better and with all casts finally removed, he was able to move about easily and get things done without feeling hampered in any way.
Before the accident occurred, he had applied to various colleges and was accepted by all. He decided, after discussing it with his parents, that he would attend the University of Florida in Gainesville. His plan was to major in physical education and minor in business. Hopefully, if everything worked out as he planned, he would be well enough to try out, and God willing, make the baseball team.
Jarrod was not afraid of hard work, and he knew what was in store for him. His parents had instilled excellent work ethics in him since he was a child, and he was planning on utilizing those skills to the max.
He got into a routine of visiting the cemetery every Sunday, and then he would go to the Malones for a typical Italian dinner, which was usually eaten at three o’clock. Alec usually tagged along for the dinner portion of the day. Mrs. Malone would make a big meal consisting of antipasto salad, stuffed mushrooms or shrimp cocktail, pasta, meatballs, bracciole, vegetables, and dessert. They would stay for hours after dinner just talking and catching up. Sometimes they would bring over a DVD and they would watch a movie together. The Malones loved their weekly visits and looked forward to them with great eagerness. For Jarrod, it was a way to hold on to the memory of and still feel a connection to his deeply missed best friend.
One night after leaving their house, Jarrod and Alec were walking home when they bumped into their friend Billy, who was driving down the same block.
“Hey, what’s up? Haven’t seen you guys in awhile. How are you feeling?” asked Billy, addressing both brothers.
Both boys said, “Fine,” with Jarrod adding, “How ‘bout you?”
“Good. I’m heading over to Evan’s house. There’s a party going on. Why don’t you guys come? Everyone will go crazy when they see you. You two are like those weird, furry animals that look like rats…y’know…the ones that hide in their holes and rarely come out.”
“Prairie dogs,” chimed in Alec.
“Yeah, that’s it. C’mon, guys. Poke those little heads out and come join us for some fun.”
Both Jarrod and Alec looked at each other and Jarrod said, “I’m game. Beats watching C-SPAN with Dad again. What about you?”
“Yeah, sure. Let me call Mom first and let her know so that she doesn’t worry.” Alec pulled out his cell phone.
“Ahhh, that’s so cute. You gonna call your mommy?” teased Billy laughingly as he leaned over the passenger side and opened the door so they could get in.
“Screw you!” and “Shut up!” were the responses he received from his laughing friends as Alec got in and sat in the front seat while Jarrod made himself comfortable in the back.
When they arrived at the party, the house was packed. Music was playing loudly and people were dancing everywhere. Some with partners, others without.
“Man, now I know what it feels like to be a sardine in a can,” Alec screamed to Jarrod so he could be heard above the music. “I can barely move.”
“What? I can’t hear you,” Jarrod hollered back.
“I said I can barely move.”
“Still can’t hear you. Man, I can barely move!”
“Never mind,” Alec
“I’d do it if I were you,” chimed in Jim. “Otherwise, you’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Fine, fine.” Jarrod stood up slowly with some help from Jim, and a picture was taken of Alec handing the diploma over to Jarrod, while shaking his hand. It turned out to be a lovely picture with both boys smiling widely. Only one thing was wrong. Alec still wore the cap and gown.
Jarrod continued going to his physical therapy sessions and seeing his doctors on a regular basis. Physically, he was feeling much better and with all casts finally removed, he was able to move about easily and get things done without feeling hampered in any way.
Before the accident occurred, he had applied to various colleges and was accepted by all. He decided, after discussing it with his parents, that he would attend the University of Florida in Gainesville. His plan was to major in physical education and minor in business. Hopefully, if everything worked out as he planned, he would be well enough to try out, and God willing, make the baseball team.
Jarrod was not afraid of hard work, and he knew what was in store for him. His parents had instilled excellent work ethics in him since he was a child, and he was planning on utilizing those skills to the max.
He got into a routine of visiting the cemetery every Sunday, and then he would go to the Malones for a typical Italian dinner, which was usually eaten at three o’clock. Alec usually tagged along for the dinner portion of the day. Mrs. Malone would make a big meal consisting of antipasto salad, stuffed mushrooms or shrimp cocktail, pasta, meatballs, bracciole, vegetables, and dessert. They would stay for hours after dinner just talking and catching up. Sometimes they would bring over a DVD and they would watch a movie together. The Malones loved their weekly visits and looked forward to them with great eagerness. For Jarrod, it was a way to hold on to the memory of and still feel a connection to his deeply missed best friend.
One night after leaving their house, Jarrod and Alec were walking home when they bumped into their friend Billy, who was driving down the same block.
“Hey, what’s up? Haven’t seen you guys in awhile. How are you feeling?” asked Billy, addressing both brothers.
Both boys said, “Fine,” with Jarrod adding, “How ‘bout you?”
“Good. I’m heading over to Evan’s house. There’s a party going on. Why don’t you guys come? Everyone will go crazy when they see you. You two are like those weird, furry animals that look like rats…y’know…the ones that hide in their holes and rarely come out.”
“Prairie dogs,” chimed in Alec.
“Yeah, that’s it. C’mon, guys. Poke those little heads out and come join us for some fun.”
Both Jarrod and Alec looked at each other and Jarrod said, “I’m game. Beats watching C-SPAN with Dad again. What about you?”
“Yeah, sure. Let me call Mom first and let her know so that she doesn’t worry.” Alec pulled out his cell phone.
“Ahhh, that’s so cute. You gonna call your mommy?” teased Billy laughingly as he leaned over the passenger side and opened the door so they could get in.
“Screw you!” and “Shut up!” were the responses he received from his laughing friends as Alec got in and sat in the front seat while Jarrod made himself comfortable in the back.
When they arrived at the party, the house was packed. Music was playing loudly and people were dancing everywhere. Some with partners, others without.
“Man, now I know what it feels like to be a sardine in a can,” Alec screamed to Jarrod so he could be heard above the music. “I can barely move.”
“What? I can’t hear you,” Jarrod hollered back.
“I said I can barely move.”
“Still can’t hear you. Man, I can barely move!”
“Never mind,” Alec
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