Retired Man

There was a time when Jason would not be here. He was always working. No chance would he waste effort on frivolity. Can't make money playing. Unless you were a professional ball player or something. But this time is different. Jason is here at this party because the party is for Jason! It's his retirement party. No need to work this day. Working days are now over. Play is going to be his life going forward. Whether Jason is ready or not for the change. Time waits for no one. So, let's party! And Jason does. To much party. All the gifts. All the memories. And the cake and drink and hugs and weepings. Hopefully Jason will remember some of it. ____________________ Six weeks later Jason has most of the honey do list complete. His wife tried to put together those chores that not only needed to be done but couldn't while he worked but also to keep him busy and out of her way. She knew that boredom would be an enemy to a happy home. Not that Jason minded. He got out of bed as usual, anxious to get done what Janet wanted for him to get done. It was his new job. He got them done with a smile on his face and a jump in his step. ____________________ Seven months into Jason's retirement. Honey do list complete. Now it's find something to do list. A short list for him. And Janet has run out of meaningful ideas. Jason is just to good! So, it's what does Jason what to do? Hunt. To violent and costly. Build a project car? To costly. And boring in a work intensive sort of way. Fitness by going to the gym? To repetitive. Then Jason remembers that he always wanted to fly fish. Make his own lures. Learn how to cast. Be out in nature's most serene streams. Catch and release. Maybe even smoke a nice cigar while fishing. Perfect. ____________________ Five years later and Jason is a master fly fisherman. He put his normal efforts at doing anything. Jason put together a program to learn all aspects of this art by mastering small portions one at a time. It wasn't long before he was winning the occasional tournament. Fly fishing became Jason's passion. It changed him profoundly. He learned patience. And humility. His stress levels became straight lines. Janet smiled more. Life is good. ____________________ Today Jason is going a short distance to a favorite stream. He learned to fly fish here. Jason did not have to worry about catching a fish. Not that type of stream. No this excursion is just to be alone. Enjoy nature. Enjoy a good cigar. Then go home and spend time with Janet. Jason parked the car and unloaded his favorite fishing chair and a small fold out table, like a TV dinner tray. He left the rod and other fishing gear in the car. Picking up the chair, table and a jug full of drink he walked the short distance to the stream. Setting up the chair Jason placed a small folding table to his right. There he placed the small jug of an adult liquid to enjoy with his Gurkha Seduction cigar. Jason sat down in his chair. The Sun was beaming a warm ray upon his face. He pulled out the cigar, unwrapped it, lit it with his wood matches. Taking a draw on the cigar he closes his eyes and faces toward the Sun. He lets out the smoke through his lips. A man burst from the bushes to Jason's left. A fugitive from the law and armed he runs up to Jason. He shoots Jason in the head to get his clothes. Jason did not even open his eyes it happened so quickly. Just then the search dogs barked near by so the fugitive ran off into the stream to throw off his scent. He had no time to change clothes.