Page 82 of Remember When We

It was still a mystery. One I wouldn’t be solving.

I crouched down and laid a single red rose on his grave.

I still didn’t fully believe this was reality.

In my head I had saw us both growing old together as the crazy friends we used to be.

“Hey man.” I began. “I’m back again. I know right, you’d make some comment about seeing me too often.” I chuckled. “So, I married your sister.”

I thought I’d talk about the good news. Me married … it didn’t feel real either.

“I married your sister and I promise to take great care of her. We’re also expecting our second child. She’s only a month in, but damn I love kissing her stomach. I love being a dad too. My Matthew would make you so proud. That little guy knows motorcycles. I know I’m going to watch him like a hawk.” I laughed; both sadness and happiness pulled on my heart. “Remember when we crashed into Mrs. Thomas’ hedge and smashed her window. That was so funny because I didn’t know how it all happened. It was like some damn movie, because out came her parrot. Boy did that thing fly. Remember when we got so drunk you got a chicken tattooed on your forehead? Remember when … when we got on to the football team, I was so mad they chose you to be quarterback and not me.”

I looked on at his grave and bowed my head in reverence.

“Thank you for the memories Marshall. I won’t ever forget.”