The Life of Jack Morgan

Got Some Grow'n to Do

Time passed and Jack got better, in some eyes Jack got even more than better. As he got older Jack grew, and grew, and grew, he hit a growth spurt at age 13 and didn’t slow up till about age 20, growing to 7 foot 2 inches tall. He was strong, handsome and still curious and active as ever. He was a little bit the town’s hero to the kids and even caught a few of the young lady’s eyes. Although it was tough getting around sometimes and he had to bend down to get into doors, Jack still enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids and experiencing what young adults experience; not including heart break.

Sitting on the back porch of jack‘s house , “Listen Jack, I think we should go back, to being friends,” Valerie said. “Why?” Jack answered. “Well, it’s just, I’m going off to medical school, on the west coast, I got a scholarship and a long distance relationship is hard enough without…” she trailed off.” Without a huge shadow following you,” He continued. “That’s not how I meant it to sound, you are already comfortable here.” she explained “I never said, I wouldn’t leave Walton,” he stated. She paused and looked down “I know you liked reading Shakespeare and so I wanted you to have this. Its his entire works,” she smiled and kissed him goodbye on his cheek. Valerie walked away from the Morgan’s back yard and as she did, Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box, he opened it slightly, his eyes tight with anger, he threw the ring box as high and as far as he could.

Ten years passed and Jack’s life became harder for him, his mom died and his dad was no longer able to work, because of a severe back injury. Those things were bad, but that wasn’t what was hard for him, finding a job that could fit him was hard; he was just too tall to fit in an office or school rooms. Mr. Potter helped to find him odd jobs, working the potato fields and small factories, but those jobs were seasonal and didn’t last. “How ya feeling boy?” Mr. Potter said while throwing some potatoes in a pot on the stove. “22 years and you still call me that,” he said, as he sat in a custom fit chair. “Has it been that long, hm, sorry kid, I think I forget how grown you’ve become,” he said and Jack looks down. “Its alright, I just noticed it that’s all. It reminded me of when I was younger, before I became abnormal,” Jack sat back. “Abnormal, you were never normal to be ‘ab’ nothing,” Mr. Potter scoffed. “Thanks,” Jack said. “I meant, that you were always, special, and smart, you were made to make differences in people’s lives.” he replied. “People look at me, but they don’t see me. I get angry at them, angry at myself,” Jack stated. Mr. Potter, “I don’t care what people say or do, ain’t no one able to take you from you. Now help me to bed, These potato sacks are gonna be the death of me,” He says and Jack helps him to his recliner. Jack’s heart hurt for his dad, who was bed ridden, and Mr. Potter, who was like a father figure to him. When Jack’s dad died, Jack went into stage, specifically crew work, for the local theatre, this gave him the opportunity to be near the performing arts, at least to hear the actors speak words on stage, without having to sit in the audience, taking up space. When he wasn’t doing that, he was picking up chores at Mr. Potter’s farm. “That’s good for today, that hay can set awhile,” he said while rocking in a rocking chair. “I want to give you this, I think its about time,” Mr. Potter handed Jack a paper folded into thirds and Jack read it, “This is-you’re signing over ownership of the farm to me?” “You said you wanted to own a farm, I ain’t gonna be here for much longer, besides, it was always going to be yours.”