The narrator shares a personal story about the death of his ex-girlfriend's stepfather, Peter, who died due to internal organ failure caused by alcoholism. The narrator recounts the events of the day, from finding Peter in a terrible state in the bathroom to the ambulance arriving and eventually receiving news of Peter's passing. He reflects on the experience, saying it was a wake-up call for him to appreciate the people in his life and to reevaluate his own habits, including quitting smoking. The narrator encourages his audience to cherish the time they have with loved ones and to make the most of every moment.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator had a girlfriend who cheated on him, and they were together for almost three years.
2. The girlfriend's stepfather, Peter Vogel, was a heavy drinker and had not been to the doctor in four or five years.
3. One Saturday evening, the narrator and his girlfriend went to a village disco, and when they returned, Peter Vogel was not feeling well.
4. The next morning, the narrator found Peter Vogel in a bad state in the bathroom, and they called an ambulance.
5. The paramedics gave Peter Vogel injections and put in a catheter because he was dehydrated.
6. Peter Vogel was taken to the hospital, where he died due to internal organ failure caused by his heavy drinking.
7. The narrator received a call from his ex-girlfriend informing him of Peter Vogel's death.
8. The narrator went to the hospital and met with his ex-girlfriend and her family, who were all crying.
9. The narrator was asked if he wanted to say goodbye to Peter Vogel in the room where he was lying, but he declined, preferring to remember him as a living person.
10. The narrator reflects on the experience, saying that it taught him that life is shorter than he thought and that he should appreciate the people in his life.