As Danny parallel-parked in front of the bar, he knew who he wanted to live for.
He sat in the car, reminding himself of the events of last night. How his best friend Scott was getting ready to end his life. How Scott's wife Trisha called him hysterical about the note she found when she got home early from girl's night. How he drove 4 hours to their "secret hangout" and found Scott standing on the edge of the cliff, about to step off until he heard his best friend scream, "Don't do this Bud!!" How they sat out there for another 4 hours talking about life and how precious it is and how many folks they both had lost over the years. Danny and Scott had been friends since birth, and they had a bond stronger than anyone could comprehend.
"Mama, what are you doing!" "What are you doing?" Damn you ...
Danny's mind went back to when he was having a suicide crisis with his own mom. He was only 13 years old, and his dad had passed away from battling lung cancer. His mom was looking at the pills she had poured into her hand, saying, "Son, I can't do this anymore." He said, "Why? I want to go be with Daddy too, but I can't. My best friend Scott needs me. And I need you. Please, Mama...please." Scott came in the house and into the room where he and his mama were, and knocked the pills out of her hand. He then said, "I heard what you two said, and I will NOT lose my second mama or my best friend. Not today, and not for a long time. You are my whole world. I love you." She looked at the two of them with tears in her eyes, grabbed them both and locked them in a bear hug for what seemed like forever.
Danny snapped out of his thoughts and got out of the car. He grabbed a bag from his backseat and walked in to meet Scott and Trisha. This was going to be their last time together because Scott was going to be going away for three months for some intensive therapy to heal his wounds and get his life back on track. He sat in the booth with them, smiled, and handed Scott the bag. "What is this, D?" He smiled and said, "Open it." Inside the bag was a dirty yellow tee shirt with "Collins Middle School Panthers" in black writing. On the back was Scott's name. There was also a dirty white tee shirt with "Camp Upottalotta" in red lettering and again, Scott's name was on the back. "D, where did you find these forgotten clothes??" Danny smiled and said, "Remember how my family moved overseas for a year because of Daddy's job? Well, you gave me these two shirts so I would always remember you. Now it is time to return them so you can remember what is important. Buds for life, Scott. Buds for life." Trisha grabbed Danny's hand and said, "Thank you for all of this. It means everything to us that you love him so much and went to save his life." Scott stared at the shirts for a while. Then he stood up and grabbed Danny by the hand. They locked in a bear hug...which seemed to last forever.