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March 1988 I turned 19, it was June.
I just met this young man, he was about 20 or 22
I can't remember now. I do remember how he looked.
Like a lost little boy, very quiet. Nervous around people.
I quickly learned he had been in a coma for about 6 months.
And not been awake for very long, Had to have extensive
physical therapy and was learning everything over again.
His short term memory was damaged and he couldn't retain
too much in new things. His name was Sean Pryor.
Sandy blonde and light blue gray eyes (if I am remembering
correctly) it has been a long time and I don't have a picture of him.
He was with his Aunt and Uncle. When he was introduced to me
I looked him right in the eyes and shook his right hand.
Now this was important, especially to Sean.
His right arm had nerve damage and was basically useless
to him. He usually didn't offer it to people when meeting them.
But I shook his hand and smiled. Saying It is nice to meet you.
He just stared at me, Then he smiled real big, one of those
slow smiles like he was really seeing me and appreciating
what he saw. He said your pretty like star light.
Later we were talking outside, (he had to have a smoke)
he apologized for smoking saying he was trying to quit
and he asked me if I was dating anyone.
I replied no, I never have dated. He was astonished, he said
no you have to have dated, your too pretty. I thanked him and said
I was quite serious, I never had. He then said Have you ever been to
Arkansas, I said no. He asked have you ever petted a baby bear cub.
I smiled and said no. He said he wished he could take me down there
to a petting zoo where they had bear cubs and lots of other animals.
Then He asked me if I could drive a truck. I said no, I never have before.
He wanted me to drive, He wasn't well enough to drive yet.
I told him I would have to think about it, that was a long way to drive,
He smiled and said yeah, that's okay. I said why don't you give me your
phone number Sean, I could just call you. he said okay and asked if he
could have my number too. I said yes. We exchanged numbers.
I still have his.
When we got home our phone was ringing. It was Sean, He didn't want
to forget to call me. So he called immediately when he got home.
Sadly that was the last time I ever spoke to him. a few months
later (It was early Fall) I clearing up afte dinner.
The local news was on. I was only half listening.
Then I heard a name I knew. Sean Pryor.
Found dead in the local jail. I freaked out.
We later learned what officially happened.
He had been at a convenience store. He had waited in line and
then adruptly left. They arrested him for stealing a pack of ciggarettes.
I think I know what happened.
He probably forgot why he was even standing there and left.
Not even realizing he had the ciggarettes in his hand.
And when they went to stop him he either got upset or they
over did it with him, then saying he resisted arrest.
He was supposed to have commited suicide in the jail cell.
But he couldn't have done it. His right hand was useless and
he didn't have much strength in his legs.
They say he tore the bedding apart, climbed on the top bunk and
after tying the "rope" he "made" & hung himself.
I say impossible.
I still miss that sweet guy. Maybe someday I can see him again.
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