Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 9

If anyone were to be asked if they knew him, they would reply, “Jerry who?”. It had been a few months since anyone who once knew the book-loving man about, and even longer since they had heard his name mentioned in a positive way.

Jerry was a 33 year-old man. He had, at one point, had what may be called a “perfect life”. He was married, had a child, and a high-ranking job. But that all came crumbling down years ago.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 8

If anyone were to ask the staff of bar on 7th and McNaught, they would say that Jerry was there, six days a week. As near as they could tell, he would miss out on Saturday nights because he hated the crowds. But any other given night, at 6pm, Jerry would stumble in, as if he’d already downed several drinks. He would still be in his business casual clothing, his tie pulled loose and the top button undone.

Jerry was 30 years-old, divorced. Two years earlier, his wife, or ex-wife now, had caught him sneaking in one night. Laura had had her suspicions, but that night she had all the evidence she needed. There had been yelling, a lot of yelling. In the back of his mind, it reminded Jerry of his own mother and father. At the thought, Jerry shut his mouth and took the verbal beating he deserved. But it wasn’t the worst of it.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 7

If anyone were to ask his family, they would say that Jerry is a loving father, and a wonderful husband. Now the Head Librarian at the university, and a Junior Historian at the Federal Museum, Jerry did his best to spend as much time as he could with his family.

Jerry was a 27 year-old man. He was the father of a soon-to-be 3 year-old son, and married to his high school sweetheart, Laura. Laura was in her third year of her doctorate, aiming at medical research, where she would reconnect with Sari, who was already an intern at the local hospital.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 6

If anyone were to ask him, Jerry would say, without hesitation, that he loved his wife. It was an indisputable fact. They were high school sweethearts, turned college (university actually) sweethearts, turned married couple; almost like it was out of a fairy tale.

Yes, Jerry loved his wife. At 21 years-old, he couldn’t be more head-over-heels for Laura. Their wedding was small, as neither had many friends. Thomas was back from the army and was able to be Jerry’s Best Man. And Sari was able to sneak away from her classes in med school to be the Maid of Honor. The remaining guests were close friends and family, excluding Jerry’s mother. Even his father had travelled across the country to attend his wedding.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 5

If anyone were to ask his co-workers, they would say that Jerry was the best. Not only could he find any book, anywhere in the library, but he could recite the Dewy Decimal Code for the particular book.

Jerry was a 21 year-old young man. His passion for books had taken him from a young reader, to a young enthusiast, until now, where he was the Assistant Head Librarian of this major university. He had even dabbled with writing, but found it best to leave that to the professionals. One professional, in particular, had actually come to the library for a signing, and Jerry, though an employee, was at the front of the line. You guessed it: Albert Ross. His seventeenth novel,The Pen that created the Sword, was released, and Jerry had his hard-cover copy signed by the man himself.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 3

If anyone were to ask his gym teachers, they would say that Jerry wasn’t much of a physical kid. He was a small for his age, and didn’t play sports. He participated in Physical Education class, but seemed to only do the bare minimum, or perhaps, that was all he could do.

Jerry was a 15 year-old boy, with short hair and a keen pair of glasses. Unlike some of the kids in his class, he actually needed the glasses; it wasn’t a fashion statement for him. His mother had scuffed at the optometrist’s suggestion for glasses, bellowing that she didn’t have money for glasses. But, through a system of his own, Jerry had been able to afford a pair of glasses for himself. A pair, in fact, that Laura found, and I quote, “hot”.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 2

If anyone were to ask, his friends would say that Jerry was safe. He never did anything outside of the rules, except that one time.

Jerry was a 12 year-old boy, going to school, and getting good grades. His friends, Thomas, Laura and Sari, enjoyed his company, and also enjoyed their after school studying. As you may know, Jerry did not like to go home. His mother was a drunk and an abuser, and his father had left them a year earlier. So, we find Jerry here, walking through the halls of his junior high school with his friends.

“I think we should start with the English homework,” suggested Sari, always eager to set a schedule.

Moments In The Life Of Jerry – Part 1

If anyone were to ask his father, he would say that Jerry is a wonderful boy. At the same time, if anyone were to ask his mother, and she were sober enough to answer, she would say he was the worst thing that ever happened to her.

It is into this time I would like to introduce you to Jerry. A 9 year old boy, filled with curiosity, which would usually entitle him to a beating at his mother’s hand; and, yet, a bit of timidity, mirroring his father, who often suffered the same fate as Jerry. He had a few friends, but found his peace in the pages of books.