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    CLJobe
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

The Boy by The Lake - 12. Chapter 12

The final chapter

I truly enjoyed the children, Dante was my shadow and Grace had a shadow as well.

The kids went to the boys school, so a lot of times they stayed at Ron’s parents rather than at home with the boys. We still had our Rome trips, Roberto now had two children both boys and Angelo had a boy and girl. Pietro and Maria were very proud of their grandchildren. I enjoyed my time with Pietro, but all good times have their sad times as well. Vincitore had died and his younger brother took over the business. I never realized but Vincitore was never married. I just took it as a fact that all Italian men would marry or at least be in a relationship, but not Vincitore. Pietro told me he had a girlfriend one time and they were going to get married but she was killed in a car accident. From that time on he said there were no girl friends in this realm for him.

     

I was approaching the age of 88 when Ron insisted I start having a physical once a year. When the boys were part of my life, I wanted to live, but now, they are settled, have a thriving career, have a family, I don’t feel the urgency as much. I miss Clair, we were to enjoy this time and where cheated out of it. I went and took the physical, more or less to humor the boys.

I still took my morning walks, the sunrise was still special to me. Now I sit on the bench alone, Richard, I found out had died of a heart attack. Not many people walked in the morning, so I was alone.

We celebrated my 90th birthday. Our adopted family came to celebrate it with me and while they were here, Pietro walked with me in the morning. “Pietro, I told the boys where I wanted to be buried when my time came. I leave it to you to help them.

Two weeks after my 90th birthday, I took my early walk. As the sun rose over the lake, I saw a lovely lady approach, it was Clair and she had her hand out for me to grab. “It’s time”

This story is a wish of mine. That every child, boy or girl, who has to make Toby's decision finds a Jeff. So many of our forgotten children, who knows what humanity is missing. In my story, a doctor who is helping other children could have been lost to this world. Dr. Tobias Madison, is proof that these children can be an asset to this world, if only they could find Jeff.
Thanks for reading and you comments. They meant a lot to me.
God Bless
Copyright © 2020 CLJobe; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Thank you CLJobe for your reply (quote not working): "Just between you and me, yes I've thought about Book 2, but I need time. So I have a few stories to post, that are a little lighter in content".

The NYC portion is particular poignant for me, having lived there briefly in the late 90's. I too remember, "...a lot of boys working the streets, looking for money to be able to buy something to eat". Boys with "pleading eyes", that, "... looking into his eyes, you could tell he was hungry, I never saw pleading eyes like he had".

Before going to New York I had never seen those boys, those eyes, those looks before. Or I didn't want to see them. (Now I see those eyes in too many places!).  And when I started to give money, I realized I couldn't have enough to help, despite getting back "A beautiful smile, and a "thanks mister". And for me some of those 'boys' were Toby to me. (I won't call them "street boys", as "some people" say that as if they're below being noticed). 

I eagerly look forward to your next story. 

Tony

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4 minutes ago, Anton_Cloche said:

Thank you CLJobe for your reply (quote not working): "Just between you and me, yes I've thought about Book 2, but I need time. So I have a few stories to post, that are a little lighter in content".

The NYC portion is particular poignant for me, having lived there briefly in the late 90's. I too remember, "...a lot of boys working the streets, looking for money to be able to buy something to eat". Boys with "pleading eyes", that, "... looking into his eyes, you could tell he was hungry, I never saw pleading eyes like he had".

Before going to New York I had never seen those boys, those eyes, those looks before. Or I didn't want to see them. (Now I see those eyes in too many places!).  And when I started to give money, I realized I couldn't have enough to help, despite getting back "A beautiful smile, and a "thanks mister". And for me some of those 'boys' were Toby to me. (I won't call them "street boys", as "some people" say that as if they're below being noticed). 

I eagerly look forward to your next story. 

Tony

 

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27 minutes ago, weinerdog said:

That ending was incredible.Christian religions (and probably others also) believe that when it's your time you have to give an accounting of your life.Well Jeff definitely has nothing to worry about in that regard.Give Claire a kiss for us Jeff.

And not a hug? I'm sure. Jeff and Clair are sitting in comfortable chairs before a fireplace, enjoying a cup of coffee, Jeff is telling Clair about Toby, she is smiling with love in her eyes. This is the other side of the coin of life.

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Poignant ending to an inspiring story! The world could use more Jeff’s who are willing to step up and help when they are needed. Too many times people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they cannot see what is going on around them. We are so focused on our phones we are blind to those people around us who are in need. How many Toby’s are lost each day because we are so wrapped up in our own lives? You do not have to be rich to help someone else who really needs it. Thank you for a wonderful story and amazing characters. I look forward to your next story! 😢❤️

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1 hour ago, flesco said:

Poignant ending to an inspiring story! The world could use more Jeff’s who are willing to step up and help when they are needed. Too many times people are so wrapped up in their own lives that they cannot see what is going on around them. We are so focused on our phones we are blind to those people around us who are in need. How many Toby’s are lost each day because we are so wrapped up in our own lives? You do not have to be rich to help someone else who really needs it. Thank you for a wonderful story and amazing characters. I look forward to your next story! 😢❤️

You're welcome. In my travels I have met a lot of boys who could have but didn't end up as Toby would have if it wasn't for Jeff. What hurt me the most, when a hungry child was chased away. I saw a cook throw food away rather than give it to a child. When I saw that, I was angry. Told the child, he was 15, the food would have killed him, took him to a nice restaurant, bought his dinner made sure he had a doggie bag. I asked him where he lived, he said he and three other boys live in a room. I think when I gave him some money, he was ready to kiss me. There were tears in his eyes. I had a flight leaving the next morning. I often thought about that lad. He would be in his thirties if he was still alive. 

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