Hindsight is 20/20 Final part 3 (371 hits)
Category: NoneRating: -0.25 on 5 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by your_arse_is_hanging_out (View user info) at 2005-07-15 13:47:10 EDT
This the the final part of this series.
Check out part 1: http://www.ubersite.com/m/70057 and part 2: http://www.ubersite.com/m/70062
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March 2004
He didn't go home because his mother couldn't take it anymore. His dad was finally clean and going to NA meetings. Skyler moved to the South Side. He didn't really know anyone. He was taken out of his element. He wasn't sticking a needle in his arm, but he was incoherent 24/7.
He was depressed. He would never kick this dependency on substance. It was too much.
His teeth were rotting, he was 19, but he always had bad teeth. Except now, parts of his teeth came off. His gums were infected and bloody. He was supposed to go to a free dental clinic, but his dad never took him. Skyler never graduated high school, but he wanted to get his GED. He told his mom that he wants to go to college, he wants to have a good life. Get married, and maybe even have kids. His mom had faith in him, "You can still do those things Skyler, you can get through this. As cliche as it sounds, one day at a time."
Easter rolls along. Skyler goes back to his mom's house for the weekend. He is high. He is dressed nicely for Easter. He's become very spiritual, talking about God. Talking to our pastor. He has his Celtic cross around his neck, something he has worn a lot recently. Tara and Skyler got into a fight before church. Tara's gold bracelet was gone, and she blamed Skyler for stealing it. And $20 in her bedroom. He denied it. She didn't believe him. Not for a second. She refused to drive him to church. He said he wouldn't go unless she drove him but was very calm. Her boyfriend convinced her to do it.
Skyler was very calm that Easter. Very sad, and very calm. He told his mom that whatever happened, it wasn't her fault. He was in a weird state.
April 16th 2004
It's a Friday, and Sky's dad is going to a meeting. He asks Skyler to come with him, but Skyler says he is too high. The Valium and methodone make him drowsy. "Ok, but go to your Uncle Joe's for dinner, you need to get out." Skyler went out but he didn't go home that night.
Something was up. Skyler never stayed out for more than a night. He didn't come home Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. His mom was hysterical. This was so unlike Skyler. She was thinking he may be on the street on the West side dead. In a gutter somewhere. Mom and Gunnar, Skyler's older brother, received a message from Skyler on Friday night. "Hey Mom, it's your son. Just wanted to say I love ya. Bye." His mom kept replaying it and replaying it. And crying.
Gunnar erased the message because Skyler sounded high. Tara didn't get a message.
Tara refused to acknowledge it. He's not dead. He's just fucking around somewhere. By Tuesday, 4/20 everyone was getting very anxious.
They have a detached garage in the South Side used only for storage. Dori, Skyler's aunt, looked in the garage. She screamed. Skyler hung himself. He had been there for 4 days.
Utter shock, yelling, crying, screaming. NO! How could he? Raw pain. Detachment from the world. Skyler's family's world had stopped.
Looking back, Easter--Skyler knew what he was going to do. We didn't. He had used suicide for manipulation. It was real. So real. Tara found her golden bracelet.
It's been over a year now.
The pain will always be there, but over time, they say it will soften.
This weekend I will be facilitating the Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness 20 mile from dusk to dawn walk in Downtown Chicago. It will probably be a very moving experience.
User Reviews
Submitted by notyou (user info) at 2005-07-15 17:38:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
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Submitted by spedmonkey (user info) at 2005-07-15 15:58:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I bet that whole death thing will really ruin your day.
Submitted by nicole420 (user info) at 2005-07-15 14:05:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
i didnt read the other stories but i like this
Submitted by kissmyarse (user info) at 2005-07-15 13:57:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
ouch.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-07-15 13:53:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
you can do better than this.