Norm’s Ending for Judy’s Story

A scream echoed down the empty corridor, ending abruptly.Martin flattened against the wall, trying to become invisible, hoping whoever had caused that terrifying scream would not come his way. A very long minute passed as Martin heard only his own ragged breaths. He tried to slow his racing heart. After what seemed like hours, he opened his eyes and stared down the hall, toward the location of that horrible sound. He didn’t know if it had come from the throat of one of his friends, a teacher, or a stranger. At the moment, he didn’t care. He just wanted to get out of the school and into the safety of his own home and his mother’s arms. His body finally obeyed his commands and he turned to run. Just then the door to the playground flew open and dark shapes raced into the school. Martin froze again.

 

Martin, without further thought, reached into his backpack, and retrieved the G30S Glock pistol that his father gave to him yesterday, on his 18^th birthday. He brought it to school to show his friends the cool small size, its G36 Slide, and ease of concealment of this new model. Martin could hear footsteps coming closer.  He loaded it quickly and ran for the exit, away from the sounds of footsteps.

 

He opened the door and was greeted by a squadron of heavily armored police officers, who screamed in unison, “Hands up. Throw the gun down! THROW THE GUN DOWN, NOW! Instinctively, his arms went straight up and he froze in that position, with the Glock, pointed at the sky. They screamed again, DROP THE GUN NOW! LAST WARNING!!

 

Martin looked up at the gun for a second and tried to throw it on the ground, away from him. Just as the gun started to fall, he was shot by countless bullets. He fell, squirming in pain, feeling the warm blood pooling below him. He knew the end was near, but did not understand any reason. An officer leaned down and asked him why he didn’t drop the gun. Martin, ignored the question, knowing he had just a few seconds left. His body was beginning to feel cold and his thinking was getting blurry. He whispered to the cop his last words, “I want to cancel my NRA membership.” Darkness enveloped him, as all feeling, noise, and thoughts began to fade. He saw a flash of light and then he was still.

 

The sun was shining brightly through the windows of Lee Memorial Hospital. Parents and siblings were in the room. He opened his eyes in total confusion and did not know where he was. Nurse Judy, with her kind, soft smile, told him where he was and that he had a very close call.

 

She said to him that an almost fatal combination of illegal drugs nearly killed him. Nurse Judy added, “Unless you stop this habit, you will surely end up dead.”  Martin agreed to mend his ways but did not need her advice. He thought to himself, I never want to have another nightmare than that last one!

 

^© Norman F. Estrin, Ph.D., “Norm’s Ending for Judy’s Story”, March 18, 2018