Freudian Slips: Rich Man, Pough Man

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Location: Irony, New Jersey, United States

Life takes us many places. It's a box of chocolates and a Hansel and Gretal trail of candy wrappers. I have filmed as an actor in The Happening, Invincible, The Lovely Bones, The Bounty Hunter, The Greek American, Bazookas, Limitless, TV's Its Always Sunny in Philly, Outlaw, New York, The Warrior, The Nail, Game Change, Cold Case, & commercial work includes The Philadelphia Eagles, Septa, Coors, Turbo Tax & Carnival Cruises. Freudian Slips spotlights irony in short story format.

November 29, 2005

Rich Man, Pough Man

I am dying of thirst by the side of the fountain.” Charles d’Orleans
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - On Saturday November 18, 2005 18-year-old Terrell Pough was senselessly murdered. In this jaded world, I wonder whether a reader’s eyes even wince at the murder of one before turning the page. Terrell Pough’s story is distinctive so hear me out for a minute.
A single parent with custody of a toddler, Pough was recently honored this past August by People Magazine as an outstanding teenage father. As the night manager at a fast-food restaurant and student learning how to rebuild abandoned houses, the mere mention of the plurality of his vocations conjures strength, struggle, and identity. Pough was gunned down on his way home from work. Most accidents happen close to home and home is often a state of mind. Pough was shot in the head in front of his home. He might as well have been shot in the heart because I can’t imagine his final thoughts on this world as he lay dying. Pough's Honda Civic was stolen from the scene. In the cruelest of ironies, this car was actually donated by a benefactor who read the People article. The Lord giveth, some murderer takeith away.
Pough is survived by his daughter, Diamond. Somebody tell that Diamond left in the rough that her dad was a hard-nosed shinning example to all of us. A random cruelity for the ages, the very same element that Pough tried to escape from through single parenting, schooling, and employment lurked in the shadows and eventually got the best of him.
In a prophetic excerpt from that People article, Pough said, "If something ever happens to me, no one can ever tell her that her dad didn't take care of her."
Some promises are meant but can't be kept. If by happenstance I come across a ballot for Man of the Year for 2005 my write-in nomination begins with the yellow crime tape on a doorstep and ends with the name of Terrell Pough. His death may go relatively unnoticed but his life should not.
And now you may all resume regular programming in this cutthroat world. And for anyone who can’t turn a cheek, turn the page.

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8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Diamonds are Forever." This Diamond's father will live forever in her heart. What a cruel world we live in, sometimes!

8:51 AM  
Blogger Rob Seifert said...

It seems so senseless to me. I hope that Diamond grows up knowing that her father was a good man - something not so many of us can claim.

RCS

9:42 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

How tragic. That poor boy. His poor family. His sweet daughter. So senseless....

1:18 PM  
Blogger Pax Romano said...

So damn sad.

Lou Reed said it best, "Life's good, but not fair at all".

6:28 AM  
Blogger Weary Hag said...

What a horrible shame. I think there are lots of Terrell Pough's in this world, and that's what makes me CRAZY - when you hear a news story relating to a serial killer, a rapist, etc. who blames his/her current status on the fact that they had it "rough" growing up. Hey, millions of people had it rough growing up ... you're the only one who can turn it all around and yes, there are ALWAYS opportunities to turn it around.
Clearly, Terrence hadn't 'planned' to be a father at 18. But he did what he could with his fate in that sense.

Thanks for printing such an excellent lesson in making choices with our lives ... even if we can't control the ultimate outcome, we can learn to live proudly with very, very little.

6:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Weary Hag, Amen!Amen! Life is what we choose to make of it! It's not important what happens to us; what is important is our response to what happens.

10:06 AM  
Blogger Joe Tornatore said...

Et,
alas it wasn't meant to be but the father mgiht have lived longer in Diamond's life.

Robert,
hopefully, Diamond will be as hard nosed as her namesake.

Anonymous,
I know the story about Jesus and the fish but phishing for Jesus is stretching it.

Erin,
I saw a picture of Terrell and Diamond on the Tv set tonight. it caused pause.

Pax,

this story was a three paragraph Associated Press release if you want to look it up online like last time. smile.

Weary,
I agree with you. We must overcome.

Et,
Two comments on one posting? What do you think this is Pax Romanos website?

6:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you continue to get smart with me, I won't come visit you anymore!!! I know Pax loves me!

3:13 PM  

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