The other night I caught King Kong on television—not the 1930s classic, not the 1970s mistake, but the one made by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame.
Janet and I went to see it on the big screen when it first came out and really enjoyed it. Of course, nothing could match the original but this one came close.
When Jackson’s Kong came out on DVD I asked Janet if she wanted to buy it. She said she didn’t remember seeing it. This was just before she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I believe cancer begins and grows for many years before it can be diagnosed, but it still can make its presence known.
I suggested we should go ahead and buy the movie because I knew she already liked it even though she didn’t remember it. Janet firmly said she didn’t want to see the movie. That was the end of the discussion. I believed Janet was bothered by the fact she could not remember something like a movie. I’m sure she was wondering what would she forget next. Things like cancer and forgetfulness never are part of a person’s plans after retirement. I never mentioned the movie again.
On the night I watched King Kong on television I smiled because it was as good as I remembered. But I didn’t watch the final scene.
I already knew how everything was going to end.