1. The birth of a child
George decided the last time he’s seen a grin that big on Jacob Carter’s face was the day Alison had agreed to be his wife. He toasted the baby’s head and puffed happily on the cigar Jacob handed out. “He is a fine looking boy,” George told him. “Just like his father.”
Jacob smiled. “Just like your daughter looks like you,” he grinned. Their wives had given birth within a few hours of each other and as luck would have it were on the same ward. “May they have their mother’s tempers and not get into as many scrapes as we did.”
George laughed. “But that’s no fun.” He took a drink and then looked seriously at Jacob. “But may they both find a friend as good as the one we have in each other.”
2. A promotion
George raised his glass. “Well this is something I Never thought I’d see,” he grinned.
Jacob laughed. ”Perhaps they made a mistake. Not only do they assign us to the same unit they promote the both of us on the same day.”
George nodded. He took a long drink glad he didn’t have to work the following day. “There’s only one thing I don’t like about it.”
Jacob grinned knowing what that was. “And that is?” he asked innocently.
“Having to call you Sir.”
3. The birth of a grandchild
“Jake I feel old!” George said propping his feet up on Jacob’s desk. He had the cigar in one hand and glass in the other.
Jacob looked at him. “Hey at least you get to hold your grandkids. I know I have them because Sam told me but that’s about it.”
“True. And she is gorgeous. So much like her mom was at her age.”
Jacob took a long drink. “Not so I’d know but apparently there is one thing worse than being a grandfather.”
“What’s that?”
“Sharing your bed with a grandmother!”
4. The death of a wife
The service over and everyone having gone, Jacob walked slowly over to where George stood with his hand on the coffin. He looked at his friend for a moment, not wanting to intrude on the grief which was now very evident. He hadn’t shed a tear the whole service but now he was alone the tears were flowing.
George looked up as a hand fell on his shoulder. He took a deep breath, trying to reign in his emotions. “Jacob I…”
“They can spare you for a while,” Jacob said. He took George to a crowded bar and set a drink in front of him. Handing him the cigar he lit up and took a deep breath. “She was a fine woman,” he said. He knew how his friend was feeling, having done this same this seventeen years previously after the death of his own wife.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without her. There are too many memories, it hurts too much…”
Jacob looked at him. “You will miss her every single day,” he said repeating the advice George had given him so many years before. “But you take those memories and you keep going as it’s what she would want you to do.”
5. The end of a friendship.
George sat in shock. “Are they sure?” he asked.
Jacob nodded. “I have six months tops,” he shrugged. He raised his glass. “So I figured we’d have one for old time sake and remember a wonderful friendship.” He paused. “You’ve always been there for me and for that I thank you.”
George smiled. “As you have for me,” he said toasting his friend and blowing the smoke rings that Jacob had never quite mastered.
Then Selmak had come along and Jacob was given another 6 years of life. They had plenty more times to see each other over the years.
George stood over the coffin, resting a hand on it for a moment. “Goodbye my friend,” he said before leaving for the privacy of his car where he intended to have a cigar and cognac in memory of the greatest friend he had ever had.
© Tels
March 2007