Jeb Morton is dead

Everybody thought Jeb Morton committed suicide. Yet no one wanted to believe Jeb Morton committed suicide. Jeb would never do such a thing! The poor bastard, he had so much going for him. What? Suicide? But why?

Disbelief aside, Jeb knew the day was coming. The day when he would finally have the courage to control his own destiny. I’m packing up and leaving, ma!

Old Man Redder used to say that we’re dying the minute we’re born. From the moment we leave the womb, the clock begins ticking. Tick, tock! Your life is down by a second. Tick, tock! Down by a minute. Tick, tock! Down by a year. And then it’s over. It’s all over.

But Jeb Morton loved life. He didn’t kill himself like some might imagine. He loved life so much so that he would have given his own life to save another’s.

And that’s what he did. Don’t worry about me, ma! I’ll be alright. It’s high time I saved you. About time I put an end to all of this misery that’s been going on for so long.

His poor mother didn’t understand. She never understood her son. He was always doing this and that and getting into all sorts of hullabaloo. I just hope he grows out of it. Though I’m not sure at thirty five he’s got much growing up left in him.

And so Jeb tread past Fisher’s Lodge, the Lake of Effigy, the Mile of Guile, and the House of Old Man Redder. I’ll be alright, ma! He said every time death faced him. I’ll be alright! Look here, ma! I wish you could see this, ma! Look at your boy getting past all of these monsters, ghouls and plain old nasty people with bad breath.

And so Jeb tread past the little troubles of Echipawa County. Here and there, nowhere left unturned, undiscovered. Jeb saw it all, heard it all. He even ate it all at one point. Don’t worry ma, it tastes just like chicken! Mmm… mmm!

And so Jeb tread past all of the things that scared all of the folks all of the time. Until one day, Jeb reached Angel Point. _My oh my! Look at this, I could see as far as seeing could see!

_

Jeb looked at the sun rising across the vast expanse of Weddel’s Ravine. And that’s when he saw ma. Ma! He ran towards her. Oh ma! I’m finally here! I’m finally here with you. It’s going to be alright!

And so, you see, Jeb Morton didn’t commit suicide. No. Jeb Morton went home. He went back to ma and pa and Lorraine and cornbread and meatloaf and apple pie.

• fiction
• writing