Screen
I sit in the front row. Tears brim my eyes but I try to stay strong. I try to look brave. Try to look unaffected. Try try try...I wanted to get up and speak but even when rehearsing what I'd written out I was too scared. Not that I would have been understandable if I did get up. My words came as choked sobs. Not worthy of being called words.
A lot of the stories I'd heard before but there were a few new ones, she'd had an interesting life. I was happy to have been a part of it. One story brought back memories, the time I'd gone with her Joel and Benji to the fair. This kid who had some sort of disease was struggling at one of the stalls, all he wanted was a cat plushy. Joyce had gone up and won it for him. He was so happy.
After the service, we went to a local pub. I had to resist the urge to drown my problems with beer, the only thing that stopped me was thinking about how disappointed Joyce would be. I couldn't do that to her. When offered a drink I went for a coke and downed it in a few large gulps.
I didn't want to be here. It was too loud. There were too many people. I sat tapping my foot like a crazed rabbit. Off to the corner a group of young girls were chatting and laughing, glasses of champagne in their hands.
At the table across from me, three older men were sitting down sharing more stories about Joyce. Joel and Benji were walking around, greeting everybody, I spotted a few familiar faces. A teenage girl who I think was their cousin then there were Tammy and Mel, sisters, they'd been pretty close to the family like me until they moved to Brittan for a few years, when they came back they were still friendly but the two families had drifted apart.
I felt so out of place. As if I were watching the goings on through a television. I decided to step out and give Tyler a call while I had the chance.
Tyler's POV:
"Hello?"
"Hey, Tyler." My heart swelled with joy. Nathan. I hadn't heard his voice for so long, his sweet voice, like honey dripping down the wire and into my ear. Wait. Did I really just think that to myself? Jeez, I am one lovesick puppy.
"Tyler?" shit, I forgot I was meant to be talking.
"Hey Nathe! How's stuff going up in Barsagra?"
A long pause. A sigh. "I'm coming home." Sadness soaked his words.
"Is everything okay?"
"Joyce...she....I....I'm at the wake."
I froze. I didn't know what to say. What do you say when your friend tells you that??
"I-I'm so sorry Nathe..."
A sigh came through "I'm coming home tomorrow, see you then yeah?" I smiled, I'd missed him even though it had only been a few days. We said our goodbyes and I set the phone back down in its place.
Josh jumped down the stair happily "GUESS WHAT!!" I looked up in shock to see him bouncing up and down happily. "Death Taxi for a Babe are making a new album!" Death Taxi for a Babe was one of Josh's favorite bands. He had all of their albums and e.p's, now there was going to be another one. "I have my own news." Josh stopped jumping and raised his eyebrows. "Nathans coming home tomorrow"
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