WHAT A WASTE I AM

“Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.”

- Albert Camus

It was a sunny day in Key West, Florida in 2009. Perfect weather for the Tabarnak Baptist Youth Group spiritual retreat. Also perfect for distracting Simon into forgetting about taking care of his friend.

“Get the fuck up!” Simon banged on the door. “You’re going to miss lunch!”

He sighed. The motel room was locked but Gabriel had put him in charge of the key. Simon opened the door.

Jacob was in his underwear on one of the beds, drooling like an animal on all fours with limbs shaking madly. At first Simon laughed along with me. Then he remembered that Jacob was diabetic, that Simon had been supposed to tag along with Jacob to make sure he took his insulin, and that Jacob’s current behaviour may or may not be related to the latter. Simon jumped on the bed and shook him up: “Oh shit! Oh fuck! Oh FUCK!”…