This is my green jacket. I wear it most winter days, and now and then, I think about how I got it. My wife's cousin Shawn gave it to me about ten years ago. Then he died. Shawn was a young guy, about 30, trying to make his way in the world. He had a succession of jobs, and he came to town one day to look for work. He stayed with his and my wife's grandmother for a few days while applying for work.
After about a week, with no luck finding a job, he decided to head back to his home town of Abilene. I thought he had given up on the area too quickly, but he decided to move on. He had a place to stay in Abilene and he decided his job prospects were better there. The problem was, he didn't have the money for a bus ticket.
Shawn was a good guy, liked by just about everyone who knew him. My kids were small then, aged 7 and 9, and Shawn was one of their favorite cousins. He always took the time to talk with them, play a game, or just make them laugh. Like I said, Shawn was a good guy, so when my wife told me he wanted to go back home but he couldn’t afford the bus ticket, I didn't hesitate to offer to pay for it. He was appreciative, and pleased that we could help him get back home.
I was at work the next day when my wife took Shawn to the bus station. It wasn't until I got home that night that I discovered what he had done.
"Did Shawn forget his coat?" I said, when I saw it hanging in the closet.
"No. He wanted to give it to you. For the bus ticket."
"Oh, I wish he hadn't done that. He didn't need to."
"I know, and I told him that, but he insisted."
"What a guy."
Some months later, Shawn died.
He and some friends were apparently having a good time, probably drinking some beer. We were never told exactly how it happened, but the young men began playing with a shotgun. Somehow, the gun went off and Shawn was killed.
It was ruled an accidental death. It was hard to believe, but Shawn was dead. I still have that coat, and like I said, I wear it all through the winter. Every so often, I think about Shawn and how he felt that he should give up his coat to repay me for that bus ticket.
He didn't have to, but he did. I'll never forget what he did.
RIP Shawn. We miss you, buddy.
Larry Manch is an author, teacher, guitar player, freelance writer, and columnist. His books include: 'Twisted Logic: 50 Edgy Flash Fiction Stories', 'The Toughest Hundred Dollars & Other Rock & Roll Stories','A Sports Junkie', 'The Avery Appointment', 'Between the Fuzzy Parts', and 'Jonathan Stephens Is Just A Kid'. His books are available in paperback and e-book.
He writes about sports for Season Tickets, food and travel on Miles & Meals, and music/guitars on The Backbeat.
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