The Best Life

Rich knew that Jimmy was fine with the trip, but he also knew that Diane was worried about leaving him behind. It would be the first trip they would take without the boy and he could understand the guilt she was likely feeling.

"Sounds good to me." He didn't see any reason in letting her in on the emotion he picked up in her request.

"I'm gonna go out to the car and get my sunglasses." He really didn't need his sunglasses, but he had lost the feeling in most of his lower body and needed to move around.

The car was parked behind them, across the second, unused baseball field and Rich relished in the opportunity to take the long walk alone. Ever since Jimmy was born, he had taken very highly to spending small bits of time alone, reflecting on the status of his life. He had been blessed and wanted the chance to think about it every day.

The extra field wasn't used as often as the one Jimmy was playing on and; therefore, was not mowed. Rich had worn shorts and now the high grass was starting to irritate his legs. He thought about running so as not to prolong the journey, but decided against it when he realized how stupid it would look to see a grown man leaping through a field of high grass. Of course, by the time he reached the car, he was hopping and scratching like mad. He opened the car door and sat down on the plush leather seats.

Looking around, he noticed the bright red and purple sky, the butterflies flittering in the empty field, the smell of hot dogs and candy apples. This was the greatest life he had ever known.

Once again, the same pressing pain he had felt moments earlier shot through his ribs, ripping up towards his heart. He doubled over the seat, put his head between his legs, and tried to take a breath. But, as quickly as it had come, they pain disappeared. Rich stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He could now only think of one thought, heart attack. Perhaps, he had been too lucky in his life and now this was the reason. Maybe God has given him such a wonderful life because he knew that it would be a short one. Rich decided that if he was going to have a heart attack, he'd be better off back at the ball field with his wife, son, and, hopefully, a doctor or nurse somewhere in the stands. He climbed up out of the car, turned to lock the door, and began the march back across the empty ball field.

He managed to make it about a fourth of the way when the most wrenching pain he'd ever known overtook him. It felt as if someone was trying to tear his body from the inside out. He instantly realized that he was going to die. Gasping for breath, he tried to yell out, but no one could hear him. Couldn't anyone see that he was sick? He wasn't that far away. Couldn't anyone see that he needed a doctor - that he might be dying? The pain grew steadily worse as Rich began to drift away into unconsciousness. He started to call out for help again, but was distracted by a loud buzzing sound and an acrid smell.

"Why doesn't anyone help me?" He cried out from inside his mind. From that point on, he only felt cold and empty.

When he awoke, he could no longer see the baseball field.