Joebalbs

Maria informed me today that my high school classmate Joebalbs, who was in dialysis, passed away last weekend after falling into a coma. To think that we were just talking about him last night.

Stella confirmed the information and passed over the phone to Zarah (who now goes by the name of Zee) whom I haven’t heard from since high school.

Zarah: "Who is this? Do I know you? Were we classmates in grade school?"

Me: "Yes we know each other. This is Joebalbs."

Zarah: "#$*&^!+*%@!"

Believe it or not, we were laughing like hyenas recounting old times. Not out of disrespect to Joebalbs, but more because we haven’t really kept in touch all these years. Anyway, as Stella said, Joebalbs wouldn’t have wanted us to be brooding over him.

Obviously, his death had a profound effect on them. Zarah said they’ve been pondering the meaning of their existence and mortality since morning. In fact, they were discussing their preferred funeral arrangements! Stella, who is very much in touch with her emotions, surmised that Joebalbs must have been the “goodest” in class because he was taken away first. Which had me thinking. In our class of about forty or so, where do I figure in the “goodest-to-baddest” spectrum? Zarah apparently had the same idea. She assured me, in her list, I didn’t figure in the top ten.

Joebalbs’ seat in class was near mine. Stella may be right. He was an affable fellow. He was the only one who called me by my nickname.

I pray for the family he left behind. May he rest in peace.