Jerry McGee continued

(cont)...Mr. Derek, the science teacher, found the body lying on the beach. He called out, "Dear God, No," as he knelt at Jerry's feet. He called the hospital, the police and his wife. In a flash ...in that moment, he took stock of his life. The young man's face looked peaceful but contorted, just a single drop of dried blood underneath his nose, Mr. Derek had reported. The police ruled out homicide; an overdose they decided...the deadliest of concoctions, the officer confided. The ambulance it blared, the EMT tried to revive him until the driver said softly," Forget it, he has been gone too long, Tim." His parents were contacted, his mother's face in her hands.... wailed in agonizing pain and despair angrily wondering how could this be in God's plan. She saw her baby boy all snuggled in her arms, the sun filled days of Jerry helping his dad on the farm. Jerry's smile, his eyes...the sound of his voice...taken from her so quickly without any choice. She screamed, "No, this is not true"...the room echoed in pure silence and then there was a hand on her shoulder.... a voice softly said, "I am so sorry." The father was solemn, his hands in his pockets, a tear trickled down his face ...recalling some of the school plays he had forgotten. The man was filled with such regret and grief ...he wondered if in time there would ever be any relief. In one night, the couple had lost their child and former life... the beginning of a torment that cut like a knife. The obituary appeared in the paper the next day...family and childhood friends were filled with dismay. They recalled pleasant memories of childhood play...things Jerry enjoyed most and the words he would say. The community was shocked over the death of one so young and with so much potential ...the fear and rage towards the drug problem was exponential. The funeral was small as the family wanted it that way....organ music flowed and sunlight streamed through the church that day. There was a box inscribed with Jerry's name and a cross placed at the foot of the alter, along with flowers, family photos and the minister's comforting words that did not falter. The family members sent flowers, food and cards and came by the house one by one, their tribute to this young man that played Russian Roulette with his life and the drugs had won. His parents spread Jerry's ashes underneath his favorite tree as they prayed that in God's care their son would finally be free.