The phone rings
Message left
Listen to message
Something happened
Something’s wrong
Call me please
Something happened
Something’s wrong
He’s gone its done
She tried for him
She loved him
She provided for him
She sent him for help
She told him no more
She cried for him
She tried for him
He couldn’t do it he couldn’t stay away he couldn’t move past he couldn’t say no he couldn’t
Stay alive
How many words for the weapon
Junk skag mud dragon boy He black tar brown crystal atom bomb canade woola woolie beast goofball primo snowball
How many don’t know
How many turn their head their mind their eyes
How many will fall in its clutches succumb to its power
How many will continue to think- not me Im fine not me it wont kill me I got this
How many moms will say good bye
A dear friend lost her son to heroin Thursday. Use of heroin amongst teens has gone 80% since 2002. Its everywhere, places we all think of as safe.
Please be aware, please know its there
mymetta 
So beautiful and so heartbreaking- thinking of you and your friend through these tough times.
I feel the struggle on both sides of this horrendous event in your words….the mother who desperately did everything she could think of and the son who just couldn’t get out of that deep hole. You portray the stark realities of one life lost and one life forever changed.
My heart is racing. Intense piece. “He couldn’t do it he couldn’t stay away … ” great place for repetition. Really drives home the feelings of the fight.
This was really intense, Susan and so well written. “How many turn their head their mind their eyes” is such a powerful line. It can’t go ignored.
Oh, Susan, I’m so sorry. Your slice is so full of the pain you feel for your friend, and your urgency to make others aware of a very real, intensifying problem.
Such a powerful piece- I had goosebumps while reading it. Your line “He couldn’t do it he couldn’t stay away he couldn’t move past he couldn’t say no he couldn’t” really stood out to me.
The urgency of the message comes through clearly… I hope it will spread. Addictions (heroin, drugs, alcohol… so many things that destroy life) have exacted such a high price already and it continues to rise. Moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, classmates…we all have gotten those calls after loving, trying, watching… we need to find the way to make it stop.
I have chills. This hurts. Your words, short and standing alone. Like painful poetry in a fits of thoughts. I’m stunned and saddened for you and your friend. I like so many parts of the writing here but the content has me at a loss. The follow up statistic is scary. My thoughts with you today.
I echo everything that everyone has said here. I am particularly touched by the title; “Untitled”. I feel that in so many ways that “title” fits perfectly. There is no title for such a horrible thing that happened. I am so sorry. P.S. I had to re-read your list of jargon names for heroin more than two times. it was such an appropriate way to list them like that.
I get it! It’s clear! I will write a piece when it comes to me. I know this all too well. I knew exactly what you were talking about way before you you revealed it. So sad! I’m so sorry for your friend! Though it must be realized that he is in a much better place. He is finally at peace with himself. Well written Susan. Captured the crying heart!
This piece brought up so many thoughts, so heartfelt-Thank you for sharing your encounter with this demon. My thoughts are with you and your friend.
Angela- captured the crying heart- what everyone has said is what I was feeling and thinking since I first read this. Too many lost too soon. I’m praying for you, your friend, and everyone who knows this soul.
Susan, this is so powerful. You totally captured it. The mom’s pain, the boy’s struggle, the abuse, the problem. You got it all in so few words.
I’m really sorry for your friend. I’ll keep her in my thoughts.
So heartbreaking. A parent should NEVER have to bury a child. That is not the way the circle of life is supposed to work.
Your short sentences conveyed a sense of urgency. Well-written, but sad that it needed to be written at all.