Three of his friends around his age had died in the previous five years, two of a heart attack, one from a stroke. In either case, it was about an unhealthy lifestyle. He committed to himself that he would not have an avoidable demise. At the first funeral, he was especially shaken because Danette Patterson was a close friend and former lover who looked and seemed healthy. Her heart valves were clogged from terrible eating habits; although strong genes gave her the appearance of a healthy, fit woman. He traveled to Chicago for her services that spring. Witnessing her lay in her coffin sparked remembrances of many conversations they had about love and life. Danette spoke often about living without regrets, how she married a man she hoped would be good for her but who turned out to be exactly who he showed himself to be. “You can say what you want, but you have a second chance at life, Elliott,” he recalled her saying. “If you want to ride jet skis or try out for the Chicago Bears, do it.
