Picking up the pieces

Later that day, David’s aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins gathered around at the hospital. They were distraught when looking at the dead bodies. David was very still. Shook. In a daze. It was reported on the news that 8 persons were killed in the shooting at the theater, and 15 persons were inured.

After an hour of weeping some decisions had to be made.

“Alright, sorry to jump right into this but it’s getting late, and the boy needs someone to stay with, now that Herold and Jasmine have left us”, The grandfather said.

“We could take him”, David’s uncle, Jack, replied. Uncle Jack was the son of David’s grandparents. He was also the brother of David’s father. He married a lady named Petra and they had 6 children, four girls, two boys.

“We can’t allow that darling”, the grandmother exclaimed. “You guys are already have enough trouble raising six kids. We don’t want to burden you.”, the grandmother finished.

“He could stay with us”, the grandfather commented. “Me and Lana don’t really have much to do these days since we’re retired. So we can take him no problem”, he explained. “Is that alright with you, David?”, he questioned. David nodded. Then he left the room and headed for the elevator. The grandfather follows him.

“Woah woah woah, where you going son?”, the grandfather asked David.

“I’m going home”, David replied.

“I think you should come back with the family”, his grandfather responded.

“I just can’t live with myself.” David paused. He started sniffling. “My parents did everything for me… And I took it for granted.” He paused again. “They died…They probably died thinking that they failed as parents. That they failed to raise their kid to be lovable, unselfish, grateful. But that’s just not true… It was me! I failed them. I was the one who failed to accept the massive amount of love that they gave me. I was the one who failed to spend time with them. I never checked up on them. Only time I ever went to them was when I wanted something. I just used them for whatever I wanted. I never helped them. Every time they needed help I either complained or just said no. I just… I just hate myself!”

“David, it’s ok. Just calm down.”, his grandfather responded.

“IT’S NOT OK!”, David yelled. Tears run down his face. “You know how much people in the world don’t have any parents? And for some even if they do, the parents don’t even care about them? I’m so privileged to have parents that care, and it took them laying in a hospital bed to realize how lucky I am to have parents like them.” Silence fills the void. David’s grandfather goes into hug David, and David then finds himself crying on His grandfather’s shoulder. The whole family leaves the hospital to return to their homes.

The next morning, David wakes up at around 7 am to find his grandfather waiting at the kitchen table. David takes a seat and says good morning.

“You know David, I was thinking about what you said last night”, his grandfather stated. “I think I know of a way to help you to become more grateful and less selfish.

“Really?”, David questioned.

“Yes. For starters, let’s have you try to say thank you every time someone helps you. And try to repay them back with a favor of your own. It helps to remind you that it’s never a one-way street. Alright this is the big one. Don’t get mad, but I signed you up as a volunteer for an adoption care facility.”

“Huh?”, David replied.

“It’s just a place where persons help adopted kids and take care of them. It’s called ‘Kind Hearts’ You volunteer from 4pm-6pm. Not that long. Even on school days, you could still help due to the time slot”, his grandfather explained. David wanted to refuse but remembered his grandfather’s tips.

“Alright, I’m ok with that”, David responded.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, David started heading to the adoption care facility. When he arrives, he looks at the diversity of children. Some 4. Some 12. Some 17. David looks down at the ground.

“This is it. Where I must make a change. I can’t continue being the selfish, ungrateful person that I am. I have to learn to care about someone other than myself”, David thinks to himself. “I won’t let you down Mom and Dad!”