Jerry used to be addicted to Facebook, but he hasn’t signed in for months. His last status update reads: Jerry Thomas is feeling better today and hopeful about the future. Despite his lack of updates, his family posts to his wall religiously.
Marie Jones Thomas: Had a great day today kiddo. The doc says morning Pilates are doing wonders for me. Your little brother is still having a hard time dealing with things. He’s been awfully depressed lately. I thought about getting some of the old VHS tapes out of the attic and watching them with him, but I just don’t know… I think I’ll talk to the doctor about upping his meds. Miss you, Mom.
Stupid, Jerry thought. He’s retarded, not sick. Doping him up won’t do any good.
Gina Thomas Cicelli: Went out dancing last night. Saw this guy with bright green eyes whose partner tried for an hour to drag him off the dance floor. It reminded me of you.
Jerry laughed. Aunt Gina was always fun to party with. Even though she was only four years younger than his Mom, she outlasted - and out drank - his friends every time they went out.
Karen Wheeler: Hi Jerry. Just wanted you to know your precious little Sasha is doing well. Our daughter adores her! She’s very happy in her new home.
Jerry hoped they’d let Sasha keep her pink sweater, the little Yorkie looked so cute all bundled up in it.
Another one from Mom. Must be one of those bad days, Jerry thought.
Marie Jones Thomas: Just can’t stop thinking about you. Too much wine tonight I think. Finally got your brother settled down. Aunt Gina keeps trying to get me out of the house, but I’m not a butterfly like you two. I’d rather just stay home.
Gina Thomas Cicelli: Don’t worry kiddo, I won’t let her sulk around the house forever.
He went through the new posts one by one. Every day there was something new going on, friends and family posting messages about new things they just had to tell him.
The latest post was too much.
John Williams: Your Aunt Gina told me to try dating again, but I just can’t. I keep thinking about that last day in the hospital and I wished I’d stayed with you that night. I miss you baby.
Jerry tried to tune out the updates popping in his mind. He couldn’t go through it any more. All the “I’m sorry we nevers” and “I miss you” and “You would have liked…” comments were driving him insane.
Didn’t they realize he was dead? They weren’t going to see him again, he wasn’t part of their lives anymore. But, they kept posting on and on, filling up his Facebook page like some kind of shrine.
It was a shrine he couldn’t get away from. As long as they kept posting, they did keep him alive in a way; a soul without a body who could only jealously and frustratingly watch the world that he was supposed to leave behind.
God, he wished they’d stop. He wanted so badly to move on.
Spectral tears flowed down his cheeks as Jerry felt a new post from his mother.
Marie Jones Thomas: All your friends have been so supportive Jerry honey. You’d be so proud. Maybe it’s crazy the way we keep posting, but it makes us feel connected to you. It’s like you’re still here and always will be.
___
©2010 Sean Michael Smith
Tags: Sean Michael Smith
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:43 pm
There’s a whole new meaning to the power of words….!!!
January 12th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Eerie. Creepy. Very nice!
January 12th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Thanks Bob & Lori!
January 12th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
A little different… but I liked it!!!
January 13th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Oh I liked this very much. This was an awesome idea, flawlessly executed.
Karen Schindler :0)
January 13th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Thanks Karen! I appreciate the kind words!
January 13th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Cool write - I really like this perspective and the awesome twist!