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My city's had a bad year. First the guy who allegedly stole money from the bank where he worked bludgeoned to death his wife and kids and then killed himself in a high-speed crash on the Interstate. Then the floods hit and wrecked people's lives and work. Then the story broke that two members of the Iowa football team allegedly raped a woman in a dorm and the school allegedly covered it up. (Don't you just love the word "allegedly"? Keeps the cops and lawyers and reporters in business.)

And now, a college professor who has been accused of bribing his students -- let's play show and tell (and perhaps fondle) with your boobs for better grades -- is missing. So's his high-powered rifle. My son's preschool was in lockdown all afternoon yesterday because the professor's son goes there and no one was sure what Dad might do.

Henry's class was moved to an interior room with no windows. The kids weren't allowed outside for recess. Cops roamed the halls, from what I've heard. It's all alleged, because no one told the parents until we came to pick up the kids. I'll save my outrage for another time, though, because at the moment, all I keep thinking about is that poor little boy and how, if what the cops are speculating is true, his daddy has ended his own life in a city park where we often go hiking and exploring. Cops are searching now with cadaver dogs.

No matter what the guy did or said to his students, no matter what kind of mess he got himself into (or didn't, since no one's been convicted of anything), his family members are the ones suffering the most. I recall seeing this man with his boy all over town, at the library for storytime, picking him up from school, enjoying activities at local festivals. From all accounts, this boy thought his daddy hung the moon.

Now, it seems, there's nothing but darkness.

Comments

AnneR said…
Amy, I hadn't known anything about his family (as all I know is what I read online in the papers). Makes a sad story even sadder. Here's hoping that if he is indeed gone, his son (and others) hold on to the good memories and let the others go. Today is my dad's birthday and I'm so glad to report that what I remember and think about today is the good stuff, not his own sad ending. All loss is unique, but I hope someday Miller's family can also be smiling.
Amy said…
It's so good to hear you say that the positives are what you recall and cherish now.

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