Tragic Pasts

Travis is a kind old soul. Over the years he has been through a lot of tough times. Now that he is retired he likes to spend time at his local VFW bar hanging out with some of his veteran buddies. Although Travis never served in the military. He did have plenty of friends and family who did. He has witnessed everyone of them come back changed. For Travis hanging out with the Vets and making sure they feel apricated brightens his day. On this night he noticed a younger man sitting at the bar looking very depressed, sitting alone nursing a whiskey coke on ice. Travis hasn’t seen this man before. Concerned for this man, he walks up to him. “Excuse me brother, everything OK?” The stranger turns and looks up at Travis. “Why the fuck do you care?” Obviously in a grumpy mood, Travis is shocked at the greeting he just received. “Whoa, hold on there buddy. I noticed you looked a little troubled. Judging by your reaction I can assume I am correct. I just wanted to offer some kind words and possibly help if I can.” Surprised that Travis is still sitting next to him the stranger struggles to find some kinder words. “Look I appreciate the concern. And I mean this in the nicest way… GO AWAY!!” Reluctant to give up, Travis shrugs and simply says “Ok man, as you wish. I truly hope your evening goes better.” The stranger without a word raises his glass as if to offer a toast, then throws back what is left of his drink, slams the glass on the counter, and then turns to walk out of the bar. Shaken up a little by this Travis rejoins his friends.

The next morning Travis got up to get ready for his new favorite job. Taking care of the dogs at the local animal shelter. He feeds them, take them outside for exercise, and he even cleans the cages. They got a new dog in today. This one was taken by the cops who busted up a dog fighting ring. Fighting dogs don’t always get a good home. Sometimes they have a hard time adjusting. This bust brought in a young Pitbull. He seemed more timid than aggressive. The trainers at the shelter are hoping that this little guy can adjust to a better life away from dog fighting. Being a volunteer Travis has been working closely with some of the trainers at the shelter. They thought this young pit would be a good case for him to work on with little supervision. The shelter named the young Pit Lucky. Because they were so sure he could be rehabilitated and adopted one day.

After a week of working at the shelter, and specifically with Lucky. It was time to head back to the VFW for his weekly visit. As he was getting ready he paused for a moment. He wondered if he might see the stranger again. Maybe this time he could get his name before he storms out the bar again. As usual Travis finds his group and shouts to them. “Hello everyone, first round is on me tonight!” the group raised their fists with a cheer. Every week Travis bought one round for the group. In turn Travis didn’t have to pay for his drinks while he was hanging out. A couple hours have past Travis was playing a round of darts with some of his friends. He sees the stranger walk in and straight up to the bar. Travis noticed he had a little stumble in his strut. He thought to himself the stranger must have been started the party elsewhere. The stranger sat down and raised his hand to place his order. Travis finished his game and was really curious if he could get the stranger to talk. By the time Travis made his way to him, he had already had three drinks. “Hello again.” Travis was a little nervous but hopeful. “Fuck… You again? I’ve been here every night without seeing you here. I was hoping last week was a onetime thing.” The stranger did not look happy to see Travis. “Well I only come here once a week. I usually make a deal spending time with the vets here. Last week you seemed so troubled. I’d like to help if I can.” Travis taps the stranger on the shoulder trying to show he means well. “Get your hand off me.” The stranger brushes off Travis, and again throws back his drink slams it on the counter, and storms out of the bar. This time the bartender witnessed just what happened. “Look Travis. I know you mean well here, and I know the vets love it when you come here. This guy is a little more troubled.” Travis interrupts... “Is he a vet too?”

“I honestly don’t know. He's been coming here close to everyday for the last couple of weeks. He only orders Jack and Cokes. Sits there quietly as if pondering life’s greatest question.”

“Oh yeah, what do you suppose that is?”

“For him my guess would be survivors guilt. I've seen it a lot in vets coming home from a bad tour.”

“Wow Mike, that seems specific for a guy who doesn’t talk to you.”

“He wears a wedding ring and comes to the bar alone every night. It’s been my experience that usually married men go to the bars with their friends, wives, or girlfriends. If they show up alone, they are dealing with some sort of loss. The way he drinks, that loss has got to be close to his heart.”

“Thanks Mike that is very helpful.”

“Travis, no…”

“Relax Mike, you know me...”

“Yeah that’s what worries me.”

Another week, and Lucky’s training has been going very well. He is less timid around other people and his aggression has been calming down a lot. “Dang Travis, You're a natural. Lucky here has come a long way in two weeks thanks to you. There's a good possibility he will be ready for adoption soon.”

“Really Dave? That’s awesome. I love helping out with these dogs, and I’m so happy that Lucky will get a new lease on life with a good home.”

“I know, but we can’t get our hopes up. Pitbull's still carry a stigma of being aggressive and a lot of rental units don’t allow this breed. Plus knowing he came from a dog fighting may also scare more people.” Dave has been the trainer here for years. Working with Travis and Lucky has been very hopeful and is looking forward to Lucky finding the right home.

At home Travis gets ready to head out for another night at the VFW. As he walks into the bar he does a quick scan to find the stranger. Not seeing him he walks up to the bar to talk to Mike. “Is that guy still coming here every day?” Travis asked. “Surprisingly enough Travis you have not completely scared him away. Yes he still comes here every night.”

“OK, tonight I want to buy his first drink.”

“Don’t you usually buy the Vets a round?”

“Don’t’ worry Mike, I’m good for it.”

“Ok, Trav if that’s what you want to do.”

“Thanks man..”

Travis walks up to his friends just like he does every week. “First round on me!” this time Travis is formulating a plan. For what ever reason this stranger is now in his thoughts and Travis is very determined to find out what is going on. It’s been almost three hours and Travis was beginning to worry that this stranger may not show knowing that he only comes here once a week. Finally just as Travis was about to call it a night. The stranger walks in. Stumbling as usual, walks up to the bar. Only this time Mike was ready and placed the drink in front of the stranger before he could even ask. “This one is on Travis.” The stranger looks around the bar and sees Travis walking up to him. “Thanks I guess...” he grumpily replies…

“Before you say anything or go anywhere, just hear me out.” The stranger reluctantly nods his head and this time sips his drink in a much calmer fashion than before. “I know we don’t know each so let me share a little of myself.” The stranger takes another sip as if he is ready to listen. “I use to work in a factory the type of factory that built toys for those vets over there. I was married to the most beautiful woman ever. Her name was Judith. We had big plans, we wanted to buy a house with a white picket fence and raise a family. Things were going great, I had an amazing job. Judith was able to stay at home to get ready for our pending family. She was about four months pregnant when I got into a horrible accident at work. Rehab was a bitch and wasn’t going well. Unemployment was not paying what we once were getting so Judith found a job at a small diner as a waitress. I got so depressed I started drinking, heavily… I no longer was the man Judith fell in love with. I was bitter and angry at the world. I couldn’t find work, the military didn't want me. I was a beat up useless chunk of man. Then just when I couldn’t think things could get worse…” Travis pauses and tries not let the tears come out. “Now I’m not sure why it happened. Maybe it was the stress of having to take care of me, or maybe the stress of being on her feet ever day all day at that damn dinner.” Starting to really choke up the stranger’s mood begins to change to someone concerned. “Judith lost the baby…” Travis takes a moment to wipe away the tears. “I was already broken, and could see that this was the worst thing that happened to her. My poor wife, her husband is a disabled drunk and now she lost her baby. What more the doctors told her that her chances of being a mother were not good. She was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer.” Travis now struggling to continue his story notices the stranger reaching for a napkin to hand to him. “Man I am so sorry. How did you two handle it?” the stranger seeming more invested now, Travis continued “Well we didn’t, honestly. Two things happened after that day. I never drank again, and Judith never smiled again. Knowing one of us had to be strong and that was Judith for far too long. I sobered up, and went at my rehabilitation harder than ever. I was finally able to find another job and supported Judith through this troubling time. All the doctor’s visits, tests, and the treatments. She wasn’t getting any better, both physically and emotionally. It was like the woman I married was deteriorating before my eyes. One night as we were getting ready for bed Judith thanked me for bringing back the man she loved, and she was blessed with all the help I gave. I don’t think there was ever a night I held her so close and so tight. In the morning Judith did not wake with me. I thought maybe the cancer had finally taken it’s toll on her. I called the paramedics over, and as they were doing their thing. I noticed one of her pill bottles was completely empty. It was odd, because we had just filled her prescriptions earlier the day before. I gave the bottle to the paramedics and told them she may have taken the whole bottle. Come to find out that my sweet Judith did indeed take that whole bottle. I never noticed, she must have done it before she thanked me. That morning I was sure it was cancer that took her. I later found out it was here depression that got the best of her.”

“Holy shit man! I gotta say how can you go around all happy and trying to cheer others up? Your story is about as bad as mine.”

“Oh yeah? Want to share? I mean it may help. I sought out counselling for myself. The last thing I wanted to do is dishonor Judith by turning to the bottle again.”

“But you come here every week to drink with the Vets.”

“Do I though? Have you actually seen me with a drink? It’s usually coke or water. Ask Mike here. I never buy alcohol for myself and I always politely turn away if anyone offers. In fact Mike here has my back when someone who doesn’t know me wants to buy me a drink.”

“That’s cool… I’m Tony by the way, I’m sorry I’ve been rude to you. This past month has been rough on me. I too, lost my family.”

“I know how rough that can be. I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

“I never really talked to anyone about it, maybe it will help. I was married to a remarkable woman named Rebecca. She gave birth to our amazing daughter Sophia. Rebecca was a teacher at our local high school, and I worked for an ad agency. One-year Rebecca and I decided to spend Christmas in upstate New York at a cabin in the woods. We thought it would be an amazing Christmas in the woods. It was a beautiful cabin isolated from everything else nothing but nature all around. Sophia was 6 and absolutely loved the cabin. We built a snowman, had snowball fights, went sledding, and then ended our days with a nice cup of hot cocoa next to the fireplace. It was the best Christmas ever!”

“Sounds like a Christmas everyone dreams of. What happened?”

“It was on the way home from the dream holiday. As we travelled home the weather got worse. Snow was coming down hard and the roads began to get slippery. We were still far enough away where the roads didn’t get plowed yet. Out of nowhere I noticed this semi jackknifed on the highway. I tried to stop or swerve around it but it was too late and the roads too slippery. The vehicle slide sideways crashing under the trailer. The passenger side was completely underneath, and I was trapped couldn’t move. I wasn’t able to see Rebecca or Sophia, I couldn’t hear them either. By the time rescue crews got to us. Rebecca and Sophia were already gone. I was suffering from hypothermia and a concussion. The doctors told me that they probably didn’t suffer and that they probably passed quickly.”

“I am so sorry Tony. That is tragic to go through something like that.”

“That was about two years ago. I lost my job at the agency and never really recovered to get another good job like that. I’ve moved around a lot lately jumping from one dead end job to another. Drowning myself in Jack and coke. Sophia’s birthday was last week. She would’ve turned eight.”

“I know how easy it is to drown yourself. I did it myself for a long time. I’m here to tell you that it is not worth it. There is more to life than this. I don’t know what your wife was like, but I’m sure she would not want to see you like this.” Travis can see the tears as Tony takes another sip of his drink. “Tony, do you like dogs my friend?”

“Sure, my mom and dad had a black lab mix… he was the coolest dog. I never got one after I got married. Rebecca was allergic.”

“Why don’t you come by the shelter tomorrow. I volunteer there during the week, and there is someone I’d like you to meet. If you’re not busy that is.”

“You know what, why not. I rode the crazy train this long why not take another trip.”

“Great! I know you have a few drinks in ya. So why don’t we say around noon? We can meet up at the shelter, I can introduce you to my friend, and then if you’d like I can take you to lunch.”

“Sure Travis, that sounds like a plan.” Travis gets up off the stool and reaches his hand out to Tony. “Thank you for sharing your story with me Tony.” Tony shakes his hand “Thanks for listening Travis. It actually felt good to let it out.”

“See you tomorrow then?”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow” Travis now smiling from ear to ear knowing he had finally reached the stranger walks out the door. Tony pics up his glass for another sip, but stops to stare at the glass. His vision already blurred by the other stops he made, he finally determined he had enough for the night. Put the drink back down on the counter. “I know Travis can be a little much, but he really is a good guy. The vets love it when he comes in.” Mike noticed Travis and Tony were talking so he came over to offer what he knew about Travis. “Does he really not drink while he hangs out here?” Tony asked. “He only orders coke or water for himself. That is one man who truly has his drinking days behind him.” Tony slides his glass closer to Mike, and looks up at him. “Mike do you think you can call me a cab? I think I’m done and I probably shouldn’t drive myself home.”

“Sure man, I got ya...”

The next day Travis stops in at the shelter. Dave happened to come in this weekend and was doing more work with Lucky. “Hey Travis, I don’t usually see you here on a Saturday.”

“Yeah wanted to show off lucky to someone. Do you really think he will be ready for adoption?”

“I do. This little guy has been doing amazing thanks to you.” As he says that Dave is aggressively scratching behind Lucky’s ears and touched Lucky’s nose with his own.

“Great I don’t know if this will work, but I’ve been talking to this guy, Tony. He’s had a lot going on in his life and I think would be a good match for Lucky who also has a tragic past.”

“Sounds great, I’d say Lucky is up for a human visit.” Dave chuckles “At least a human that isn’t you or I anyway.”

Tony kept to his word. He even got all cleaned up and sober for his little meeting with Travis. He walks up to the counter at the shelter. “Is Travis here?” Nervous with his own question not sure if he should even be here. “Yeah, hold on I’ll go get him for you.” The nice lady went back to get Travis, and Tony nervously waited for him up front. A couple minutes later Travis emerges from the back. “Tony, you made it. Happy to see you, how are you feeling today?”

“I’m feeling better honestly. Thanks again for being patient with me, and listening”

“No problem man. If you want I know a great group that can help if you’re interested in cutting down the drinking.”

“Haha… one step at time.”

“Well, sounds like you got eleven more to go. Haha…” They both chuckle, and Travis leads Tony to one of the back rooms. “Follow me Tony, I have a friend for you to meet.” Travis leads him to the room where Dave is still playing with Lucky. “Dave this is the guy I was telling you about Tony. Tony this is Dave he is one of the best trainers here in the shelter.”

"Travis here is being modest. The work he's done here, he could be replaceing me soon." Dave added. The two men reach out their hands to shake.

“Nice to meet you Dave. Who is this adorable guy?”

“This here is Lucky.” Dave again scratching the back of Lucky’s ears.

“Lucky here was picked up by the cops.” Travis begins to tell Lucky’s story. “They had busted a dog fighting ring and Lucky here was young enough for rehabilitation. With Dave's help I've been working with lucky getting him ready for adoption.” Tony kneels down to get to Lucky’s level. “Sounds like you have been a Lucky boy.” Tony states as Lucky walks up to him. Tony puts out his hand for Lucky to sniff. Lucky sniffs his hand and then gives a big lick to the face. Tony laughs and wipes the slobber from his face. With a tear in his eye and a great big smile. Tony holds Lucky's head and stares at his cute little face. “Ready for adaption huh… what do you say Lucky you want to live with me?”