"'It's a hard knock life for us, it's a hard knock life for us. Instead of treated we get tricked, instead of kisses - We get kicked. It's a hard knock life."
Jay-Z - Hard Knock Life
He can recall it like yesterday, the hot summer day of 1985 that is. To most, it was just another lazy summer day in small town Kansas; but not for him. See, it was on that day when he first received the news that would change everything for a young Scott Edwards and his family. For reasons that make sense to none. That was the day the Grim Reaper first set sights on a normal, healthy, fourteen year old lad from small town Kansas.
The Edward's family lived three houses up from me and it was commonplace to take shortcuts through each other's yards on our routes home. It was a hot summer day and I was outside trimming the bushes when he decided to pull a prank on me. "Boo!" At the time, I had my headphones on and was in the process of trimming the bushes at the Astle abode when Scott decided to sneak up and give me a scare; he succeeded.
"You scared the hell out of me Scott. Jesus what's that on your neck?" This was the first time I remember seeing him sick. It was impossible to miss the lump on his neck and pale features. Looking back, I now realize I should have taken a more tactful response to my query. Judging by the somber look on his face when he answered, I knew right away that he was in big trouble. "I've been diagnosed with lymphoma," he replied. "What's that?" Back then, I was clueless to what lymphoma was. All I could surmise at the time was that something was wrong with my friend Scott. "It's a form of cancer," he replied. "You can't have cancer! Cancer is for old people, you're way too young for that kind of stuff!" Ignorance was bliss in my quip. At the time I thought cancer was an ailment restricted to old people. "How do you get rid of it?" I asked, "I've been getting chemotherapy treatments and the doctors think it will go away," he replied.
Back then I was clueless to what chemotherapy actually was; all I knew for sure was that my buddy Scott didn't look very good. "You want to play some basketball or something?" I thought some hoops would be a good way to loosen the somber mood he was in. Scott was a sharp-shooter and rarely lost a game of HORSE. "I am sorry, I would like to play, but I'm not supposed to be outside. The sun is damaging to my condition. I just saw you and wanted to say hi." After his reply, he then turned and walked solemnly back to his house.
News travels fast around small town Kansas: "Scott's cancer has gone into remission." For a brief period, most believed Scott was going to be OK and life would return to normal for the Edwards clan. Unfortunately, the feeling was short lived. The Grim Reaper is a heinous bastard and he was infuriated that Scott was able to dodge him. The truth of the matter was quite disheartening. The game between the two of them was just beginning.
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