Finally Something to Admire

Aaron was an ass. He was cruel, racist, lazy, sexist, and he was my boss. Those who worked closest to him never lasted long. After a long line of his female assistants quit after a few months with him, we hired a man who lasted 11 months before resigning after being reduced to tears in front of the rest of the staff.

He boasted that he had friends in high places and couldn't be fired and after so many outrageous incidents that resulted in nothing more than a friendly warning, we came to believe it. I once tried to think up with even one small thing to admire about him. I couldn't do it. Came up empty...

...until I heard the details of how he killed himself.

Aaron's reign came to an end through the most unlikely hero. Betty was a timid, nervous woman who never really made eye contact during the interview. But Aaron's reputation was well known and she was the only applicant. That was a good enough qualification and she was hired. Her resume told us where she worked before and where she went to school but it never showed us her back bone. Solid Titanium. Sure, she cried. But she fought back and we rallied around her and based on all of our testimony, Aaron was finally fired.

But I'm not writing about Betty. Admiring her was easy. I still do. This story is about how Aaron killed himself.

On January 2nd, the local paper, the sheriffs office, and various relatives were informed in writing of Aaron's death...by Aaron himself. When the sheriff arrived at the address, he found a home that was spotless and devoid of furniture. An envelope filled with instructions was on a kitchen counter. Aaron and his wife (and the cat) were in the front seat of Buick in the still fume filled garage. They had written their own obituaries and sent them to the paper with a check, prepaid for a simple cremation, sold all the furniture, taken their clothes to the thrift store, discontinued utility services and paid the final bills, cleaned the house, applied for the life insurance benefits, and left instructions for the disbursement of any remaining assets. They had taken care of every conceivable detail. It was so clean. So efficient. Why?? It went completely against how he lived. It took a dumpster to clean out his office but just an envelope to clean up his life? Was it one last act of control? Was he trying to make amends for a messy life?

Whatever his reasons were, I was fascinated. I still believe suicide is the ultimate act of cowardice...but...(and I apologize everytime I tell this story)...but ...I gotta admit...I was impressed. This was something about Aaron I could admire.

Rest in Peace Aaron.