My world crashed around me the other day. It was a day that changed my life. I lost my brother. No, not my real brother but someone who was with me since I was five years old. Our parents had moved us to a new subdivision. Being the new kid on the block, I did not know anyone. The neighbors introduced themselves as Dave and Eve. Hiding behind Eve was a boy the same age as me with shaggy brown hair; "This little rascal behind me is Jerry," Eve said.
That was the first time I met the best friend any person could ask for. I went over to Jerry and said, "Hi."
We grew up together. Not only did we go to the same schools, but we did everything together including getting into trouble. Even when we were in high school we played the same sports. Jerry was the quarterback on the football team and I was the receiver. We won the championship game our senior year when he threw the winning touchdown pass and I caught it. Our bond could not be broken. It was almost as if we were the same person to the point of knowing what the other was thinking.
It was after college that our lives changed a bit. Jerry and I both went to UCLA, Jerry had a scholarship for football and I had a scholarship for engineering. We both graduated and to our dismay, we had to part company. I got a good job in San Diego at a large engineering firm and Jerry went to work for his Dad in their consulting firm in Los Angeles. We kept in contact and saw each other as best we could. Jerry met a lovely woman in Los Angeles named Keira. When I was in town I always had a standing invitation to stay at their place.
Jerry met Keira at work and they hit it right off. I had often chided him that if he let her get away from him he would be sorry he let her go. One night after work, Jerry decided to eat out that night. There was a nice little tavern a couple of blocks away from his office building. He walked over to the tavern and found a table when he heard some loud talking by the bar. Jerry turned his head towards the commotion from the bar, noticing Keira being harassed by two men.
Jerry heard Keira yell, "Get away from me!"
Getting up from the table, Jerry quickly walked up to Keira, "Leave my fiancΓ© alone!" raising his voice to get their attention. Three pair of eyes turned and stared at Jerry. The men backed off as Jerry leaned over to Keira's ear whispering, "Come with me now."
Keira recognized Jerry from work, breathing a deep sigh, she extended her arm. Jerry paid the bar tab for Keira and led her over to his table sitting her down. She was shook up and trembling. "I am so sorry, Jerry. Thank you for getting me away from them," Keira sobbed.
Jerry noticed she was drunk and out of control. It took a few minutes for Keira to calm down. "Get up and I will take you home," Jerry said rising up from the table.
"I can't go home, not like this," Keira cried.
"I have a spare room at my house, you can stay the night," Jerry offered.
"Thanks."
As they walked, Keira explained that she had lost control of her Life. She has been drinking too much. Jerry took her to his house and took control of her life that night. The next morning Jerry was drinking coffee in the kitchen when Keira walked in looking sorry for herself, her hair a mess, her clothes wrinkled. Jerry handed her a cup of coffee, then they talked about the night before.
After Keira had told him her life was falling apart, Jerry asked, "You want me to help you gain back your life?"
Keira nodded yes, her eyes looking into his. Keira moved in Jerry's life and house that same day. Keira and Jerry never married, but their love for each other was deep. She always knew I was his best friend, more of a brother in heart, and accepted me for who I was. Soon Keira became one of my best friends, too. Unlike Jerry, I was not as fortunate with my relationships. I was married for a while but it did not work out and we divorced a few years later.
It was five years later, on a Friday night, when I got the worst phone call of my life. Keira called crying. She explained that Jerry had died in auto accident that day. A drunk driver hit him in a head on collision that killed him instantly. I was in total shock and felt as if my heart had ripped open. I told Keira I would be there as soon as I could. Keira thanked me and hung up the phone. After the call, I sat on my bed and I lowered my head and cried.
The next morning I called into work in a daze and explained that I would be out of town for a few days for a funeral. I packed a few things and headed up to Los Angeles. I do not even remember driving to their house. When I pulled up to the house, I noticed several cars parked on the street. Walking up the driveway I had expected Jerry to greet me at the door as he always did. However, when the door opened it was Keira. Her eyes were red from crying so I pulled her close. I hugged her tight and started to cry with her. We hugged for several minutes before she backed away and led me into the house. Walking in the living room, I saw the people that had gathered and Keira introduced me to her best friend Amber.
"Amber, this is Jerry's best friend, Bill," Keira said placing her hand on Amber's shoulder.
"Hi Bill, I feel like I know you already, Jerry and Keira spoke of you often," Amber said, extending her hand towards Bill.
"Yes, I feel the same. Keira always talked about you," taking her hand in mine, I noticed Amber's soft gentle touch.
Keira introduced me to the rest of the people who had come. I never remembered the other people's names. About an hour later they started to leave. After everyone left, Keira sat down on the couch and started to cry again. I went to her side and hugged her, holding her until she stopped. We sat on the couch for hours talking and remembering Jerry for the man he was to both of us.
Eventually, Keira led me to the bedroom where I would sleep for the night. I spent a restless night hearing Keira's soft crying. Placing a robe around my body, I went to her room and knocked on her door, "Keira, anything I can do for you?"
"No, Bill. I am so sorry I woke you. I am all right." Keira said between sobs.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Yes. Thanks for just being here with me," she said.
It was late when I finally went to sleep. I woke up the morning and went to the bathroom to freshen up. I heard Keira in the kitchen and I smelled fresh coffee brewing. Dressing in tan shorts and a t-shirt, I walked to the kitchen and sat down at the table just watching her.
"Good morning, Bill. Would you like some coffee?" Keira asked.
"Yes, I would," Keira poured a cup handing it to me. Taking the coffee cup from her, I noticed she looked a little better despite the circles under her eyes. Almost as if seeing another woman this morning, Keira seemed to be more in control of herself and her emotions.
Keira looked me in the eyes and said to me, "Bill, a while after I met Jerry he told me how close you two were. How you both grew up together and what your friendship meant to him. He wrote a letter and sealed it up making me promise that if anything happened to him to give it to you. He also wrote a letter to me."
I sat there stunned that Jerry would have done something like that. Jerry had always been the practical one, always thinking of the other person. Both letters were in front of her on the table with our names on them. Keira picked up the letter addressed to her and started to cry.
I opened the one with my name on it. I could hear his voice in my head as I read:
Hello Bill,
If you are reading this, something happened to me. Do not fret too much, bro. I had a good life and great friends. I know you are having a tough time now, as I was always the tough person despite what people thought. Get on your bike and ride for there might be no tomorrow my friend. However, right now, I need you. In this letter, you will find that Keira is now yours. Let me explain, Keira is my slave and I want you to take her home with you. Keira knows how you loved me as a brother and she trusts you. She needs to have a strong hand controlling her in her daily life. I have a will stating that you gain all my property, including Keira. Keira will give you control of her life and all her possessions. You will take over as her protector, her Master, her lover. In the letter I wrote to her, I mentioned that she is to go to you and be your slave. She will give up everything to you. Keira will tell you more after she reads her letter. I know this is a shock, but Keira needs you, please take care of her.
Thanks brother,
Jerry
With trembling hands, Keira opened her letter and read in silence. I could see her eyes open wide and then she silently smiled and wept at the same time.
Keira,
I am sorry that I am not there right now to help you though this. My lover, my friend, and most important my slave. I have cherished you from the night I rescued you from the bar. You have given me the best gift a woman could give a man, your heart. And for that I will always be grateful. I saw a woman that night I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.