The Slice: Shocking ending an absolute tragedy

Someone asked me the other day about what had happened to my plan to go to a movie with some kids.

Well, a couple of things derailed that scheme. Here’s the story.

Back on Sept. 1, I read a review in The New York Times about the latest film version of “Lassie” to come to the big screen — “The Noblest Collie of All Bounds Anew in the Glen.”

It was pretty much a rave. And I wanted to see the movie.

I’m insanely allergic to dogs. But I like them.

And really, who doesn’t love the story of the smart, brave canine who eventually finds her way back to the boy who loves her?

Still, to get the most out of the moviegoing experience, I figured I needed to have some youthful company.

So I asked in print if anyone had a couple of little kids I could borrow when it came time to head to the theater. More than a few readers offered up their children.

I don’t mind telling you, the trust inherent in that gesture touched me.

So, anyway, I was seriously looking forward to the whole thing.

The editor who handled the column in which I proposed this plan was Laura Crooks. She liked the idea and suggested I consider writing about the movie outing as the main story for a Monday Families page.

Sounds good, I said. (We erroneously assumed the limited-release film would soon come to Spokane.)

One reason I agreed is that I’ve liked working with Laura. Her editing touch usually struck me as just right. She had an excellent ear for tone.

Laura said she would volunteer her own two children, except for the fact they might not deal well with the pooch-in-peril parts of the classic story.

I asked her: Even if you promised them a happy ending?

Nope, she said. That wouldn’t be enough. They wouldn’t tolerate the dog being in danger.

She cracked a little smile and shook her head. She was picturing her kids, both of whom are ridiculously cute.

I remember looking at her and guessing that she wasn’t telling me the whole truth.

Sure, her kids might not be able to take the rough parts of “Lassie” if they were sitting next to me, a virtual stranger. But I had a hunch they could handle it if their mom was there.

I had a feeling they could cope with just about anything, if their mom was there.

Laura died unexpectedly last weekend.

Her children have a really great dad and a caring support network.

But now they don’t have their mother. And there’s no sense saying things like “It’ll be all right.”

The special one who had the power to promise a happy ending is no longer there.

And their lives will never be the same.

“Today’s Slice question: What do you wish you had said to someone when you had the chance?