>>5337998https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgCRdAzizxY“I am sorry for spoiling your homecoming, Sean, but I’m afraid that I’ve let things go a bit slack lately.”
You sit patiently, letting him work his way through it.
“I won’t lie. When I heard the news of your supposed death, I took it... rather poorly, as you may have noticed. To keep my mind from being consumed by grief, I turned to the oldest and most favored of my distractions; study, and the bottle.
When I heard the news of your miraculous survival, I began working to refurbish the mansion before you returned, but it appears that you managed to stymie my timetable.”
You take a seat nearby one of the cleaner chairs, intent on letting Jack vent.
“I know that we’ve already had this conversation, but I feel the need to extend my deepest apologies once more. Once again, I’ve sent you into the breach on a wing and a prayer. And for what?
The mad hope that I may one day find a peace that I no longer deserve.”
Jack gives a short and bitter chuckle.
“It’s amusing, when you really think about it.
I have relentlessly pursued this goal, my truest and most passionate desire, for decades, and now that I am the closest I have ever been to reaching it; I find myself paralyzed.
By fear. By doubt. By my own selfish weaknesses.”
The dam bursts and Jack lets the torrent fly free.
“I am so very afraid. I know that it must be done, but I cannot stop myself from worrying about what awaits when I pass. The next great adventure and all that.” Jack says, weakly grasping one of the empty bottles.
He staggers to his feet, heads toward one of the many bookshelves, and pulls a well-thumbed book of poetry out.
“Do you mind if I…..?”
> “Of course not.”He clears his voice and begins to read, his voice audibly cracking at some parts.
"Have you news of my boy Jack?”
<span class="mu-i">Not this tide.</span>
"When d'you think that he'll come back?"
<span class="mu-i">Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.</span>
"Has any one else had word of him?"
<span class="mu-i">Not this tide.</span>
<span class="mu-i">For what is sunk will hardly swim,</span>
<span class="mu-i">Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.</span>
"Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?"
<span class="mu-i">None this tide,</span>
<span class="mu-i">Nor any tide,</span>
<span class="mu-i">Except he did not shame his kind—</span>
<span class="mu-i">Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.</span>
<span class="mu-i">Then hold your head up all the more,</span>
<span class="mu-i">This tide,</span>
<span class="mu-i">And every tide;</span>
<span class="mu-i">Because he was the son you bore,</span>
<span class="mu-i">And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!</span>
