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Who'll Stop the Rain? by Jim Bartlett

27/5/2022

 
Editor's Choice
Dr. Samuels watches as Jacob slips into the office, gently closing the door behind. He takes his usual red chair, just opposite the window, and, with a heavy sigh, pretty much drops into it rather than sitting.

He notes Jacob’s slouch, the heavy load weighing down his shoulders. Not that most of their visits he’s happy-go-lucky by any means, but today gravity has caught him in its grips, and even the dark circles under his eyes seem stretched, as if reaching for the floor.

“How are you doing, Jacob?”

He shrugs. “Bad day. Bad week. Bad year.”

“You taking your meds?”

Jacob gives his head a shake. “Come on, Doc, we’ve talked about that. They make me feel loopy.”

“But in the long run, they’ll help you get better.”

“If you say so.”

It’s then Samuels notices a tightly folded paper that Jacob is flipping in his hands. Over and over it goes, his fingers and thumbs working it as if it was one of those fidget things. Jacob’s eyes, wide, yet dull, stay on the paper, never missing a turn.

“Still having the nightmares?”

Jacob lets his head rise, albeit slowly. He nods. “They seem to happen every day.”

Dr. Samuels makes a quick note, gives it a thought, then erases it and jots down something else. Most of his contemporaries use iPads or tablets, but for him, nothing beats a Number 2 pencil and a yellow legal pad.

He points at Jacob’s paper. “What is it you have there?”

The flipping stops, and the room seems to take on an eerie silence. A light tint of red creeps its way up Jacob’s face.

“It’s a list. One I started putting together some time ago.”

He looks away, takes a breath – a long one – then looks back. His eyes are moist and Samuels wonders if some horrid memory of Iraq has captured his patient, pulling him back into one of his deep, dark holes.

“Can I see it?”

Jacob again looks away, but only for a moment, then finally nods. Rising, he sets the paper - now more wadded than folded – on the doctor’s desk.

Samuels opens it and leans back. In scribbly handwriting it reads:
Picture
“Oh, my...” says Samuels.

“I don’t understand, Doc. The government pretended there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and we raced off to war, leaving guys like me to come home all messed up. Yet here, when crazy, angry people buy real WMDs and shoot up a school, no one does a damn thing...”
Picture
Doug
27/5/2022 12:51:01 pm

Excellent job Jim. Well deserving of the "Editor's choice Award." Congratulations.

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 04:26:47 pm

Thanks so much Doug. Appreciate it
Jim

Padmini
27/5/2022 03:03:10 pm

A true defence person who is concerned about the 'gun culture' and the people of his country. Very timely and well-written

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 04:28:41 pm

Thanks, Padmini. I usually try to avoid "timely" stories, but this seems to be something that goes on and on and on, so it is always, sadly and unfortunately, timely,
Jim

Michael McCarthy
27/5/2022 04:12:59 pm

Couldn't be more topical. With a telling last paragraph. Hits the nail right on the head.
Yes, congratulations on the Editor's choice!

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 04:29:32 pm

Thanks ever so much, Michael. Your kind words are very much appreciated.
Jim

Dee Lorraine
27/5/2022 04:51:19 pm

This is spot on! Thank you, Jim! I’m with the editor on this choice.

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 05:00:27 pm

Thanks so much, Dee. A lot of thanks has to go to Gordon as well as he came up with the nice idea of the note's appearance. Turned out perfect.
Thanks again for your kind words
Jim

marjan sierhuis
27/5/2022 07:13:14 pm

Beautifully written and presented, Jim.

David Milner
27/5/2022 07:42:40 pm

'No one does a damn thing.' You said it, Jim B. Or that's how it feels. Shameful. But has to be some hope. And Creedence Clearwater Revival...there's some light.

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 08:26:59 pm

"As Long as I Can See the Light..." Also Creedence. Thanks so much, David.

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 08:24:20 pm

Thanks so very much, Marjan.

Michael Borjon
27/5/2022 08:05:37 pm

Very well done Jim!!!
Such a sad reality, yes who will stop the rain??

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 08:29:59 pm

I wish I knew the answer to that, Michael. Good men through the ages, tryin' to find the sun...
I think though we know where to look, it would seem we don't want to.
Thanks, Michael
Jim

Candace Arthuria Williams
27/5/2022 08:11:00 pm

"Play It Again, Sam." Well, Jim. And keep playing it until somebody does something about it.

Jim Bartlett link
27/5/2022 08:34:28 pm

Thanks Candace. I hold very little hope. Until we start valuing our 2nd graders more so than what is perceived to be the 2nd Amendment, we are indeed lost.
Take care
Jim

Alyce
28/5/2022 12:56:17 am

I don't have the words to tell you how powerful this is. Excellent job. Congratulations on being the Editor's Choice.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 01:35:11 am

Thanks so much Alyce - on both counts. Your words (even the ones you couldn't find) are very much appreciated.
Jim

Don Tassone
28/5/2022 03:10:33 am

Poignant and timely. Well done, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 04:52:56 am

Thanks, Don. Always appreciate your thoughts.
Take care
Jim

Sivan Pillai
28/5/2022 05:31:26 am

You have brought out the serious problem we face today so nicely, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 05:50:35 am

Thanks ever so much, Sivan
Jim

Pamela Kennedy
28/5/2022 05:31:39 am

So very well written, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 05:51:24 am

You are too kind, Pamela. Thanks so much
Jim

Sue Clayton
28/5/2022 07:44:24 am

I can't compete with the other comments on your uniquely presented piece, Jim, except to say we seem to have a ground hog day on school shootings. Until the hog itself is obliterated there doesn't seem to be any hope.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 03:32:08 pm

Sue - you've really nailed it with the Groundhog Day label. I hadn't given that a thought before.
The only way Bill was able to overcome the never ending repeat of the day in the movie was to change his behavior, a lesson I wish we could learn.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
Jim

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
28/5/2022 10:00:59 am

Poignant and gripping story. Very well written, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 03:32:47 pm

Thanks ever so much for your kind words, Paritosh
Jim

Cindy Patrick
28/5/2022 02:09:13 pm

Jim, this is the first time I have cried (rather than sickened) about this latest tragic event. Your writing, the list, the reference to he trauma suffered in Iraq, then the pièce de ré·​sis·​tance, CCR...oh my gosh. Thank you. I think you were just my therapist!! (laughter through tears). Anyways, it's fabulous work!!

Jim Bartlett link
28/5/2022 03:39:52 pm

Cindy, I can't say thanks enough for your words. This one has dug deep in my heart as well, to the point I finally gave in and wrote something about my thoughts. Normally I shy away from topical and divisive topics. My first tears were shed with the Goleta Postal facility killings - we lived in Santa Barbara at the time, and the postal sorting building was just three miles away. The first woman murdered - at her house, rather than the postal facility, a former neighbor of the killer - was someone we used to work with and chatted with on occasion. (It's why I included Goleta on the "list.")
Your kind words have made my day. CCR is always treat for the ear and heart.
Take care
Jim

Krystyna
29/5/2022 02:46:45 am

This is excellent, Jim. Indeed, who will stop the rain of bullets on innocent people? Your writing is exceptional.

Jim Bartlett link
29/5/2022 05:47:36 am

Very kind of you, Krystyna. Sadly, I see the gray clouds raining down upon schools, churches, malls, theaters, concert halls, and who knows where next for some time to come. Thanks much for your comments. Really appreciate it.
Jim

Krystyna
29/5/2022 08:40:10 pm

Yes, Jim, I’m with you on the duration of this plague. Unfortunately, your country has a deep rooted gun ‘culture’ (Oh my, guns linked with culture? Yikes!) The gun lobby backing many politicians… that’s not only so not right but nauseating sick.

Jim Bartlett link
30/5/2022 05:05:15 am

I wish I could argue with you about your gun culture statement, but it is sadly very true. There are too many here willing to give up our kids rather than their assault rifles.
Thanks again Krystyna.
Jim

Mimi Grouse
29/5/2022 09:12:07 am

Excellent. This is an important, relatable story which should be published/shared in as many places as possible. Thank you!

Jim Bartlett link
29/5/2022 04:00:59 pm

Thank you, Mimi!! I really do appreciate it.
Take care
Jim

Gordon Lawrie
29/5/2022 11:51:28 pm

Trump and so many others insist that Americans need guns to protect themselves from nuts with guns: giving everyone guns makes society safer. Logically, then, giving every country nuclear weapons would bring about world peace.

I'd be interested in hearing how those two concepts differ.

Jim Bartlett link
30/5/2022 05:09:30 am

There isn't much difference at all in those two concepts, especially in that they are both so very wrong. I like your logic, and how it shows such a concept is so out of line. I just wish 5 or 10% more in this country could grasp such a simple thing.
Nice little debate starter, Gordon.
Jim

JM Subban
1/6/2022 01:09:44 pm

Wow. Wonderfully written. Another tragedy, where they'll recommend how children and schools need to adapt around the right to bear arms - bullet proof backpacks, armed teachers, etc. - without addressing the elephant in the room.

Jim Bartlett link
1/6/2022 04:28:53 pm

Thanks, JM. And so very, very true.
Jim

Malvina Perova
2/6/2022 12:37:55 pm

Good point! I think about it all the time. Nobody cares until it's somehow "convenient" to care. Your story ruffles so many feathers and sets all the dust back up to dance in the air. I love it. Thank you!

Jim Bartlett link
2/6/2022 03:50:37 pm

Malvina, I am deeply honored that you have taken a moment to make such a thought-provoking (and at the same time, kind) comment. Your words, especially coming from your world at this precarious moment in time, are very much appreciated.
Be safe
Jim

Sarah Blum link
2/6/2022 04:20:16 pm

My sentiments exactly! You nailed it Jim. It is very heavy and painful.

Jim Bartlett link
2/6/2022 05:28:44 pm

Thanks ever so much, Sarah. It is indeed both heavy and painful, but we just can't seem to stop.
Thanks again
Jim

Don Tassone link
4/6/2022 02:19:25 pm

Well done and, sadly, quite timely.


Comments are closed.

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