We meet again. -Lachambers

So Denny, I love you, and I let you go.

-(Chris POV)-

When he was telling me everything i couldn't help but think what if i didn't come in time.What if Gordie didn't make it this week and there would be 2 funerals? And with that thought i pulled him in and hugged him to one comfort him and two because i needed to make sure that this was real.When i pulled him in for a hug he didn't stop, flinch or anything like he would've other days.He willingly came in and put his head on my chest and it was nice. It was nice having someone in my arms it felt calming, everything felt calm with Gordie. His aura just made me feel happy. I let out a smile and relaxed. I don't know about him but i could stay like this forever... With the front door abruptly swinging open and slamming we both swiftly parted and we didn't know what to do so we were just froze for a few seconds then he pointed to the tree and suggested i waited on the tree so i went and opened the window and climbed onto  the tree.

"Wait there for a second.. I'm going to talk to him so he doesn't come in my room" He said while backing up to the door and turning around to open the door.

"Okay.. I guess i will learn how to balance for a bit," i said sarcastiacally as he left the room giving a small 'ha ha'.

As i heard him trotting down the stairs i went further to the back of the tree where i leant back into where the branch met the trunk. It was comfy enough so i rested my head and looked up to the sky watching the stars and i began to get tired. I closed my eyes and thought about our hug..I didn't know why, it just popped in my head then i tried to clear it away from my head and have my thoughts empty. But it wouldn't leave my head, i loved the way he felt in my arms. Gordie, he just fitted with me, and i felt his smile when we hugged. I opened my eyes and picked a leaf out of the tree then picked it apart. Smiling away thinking about Gordie and waiting for him to come back. I sat up as i heard a light knock of the window and i crawled back along the tree trunk to his window to help him open it. I came back into his room and lay on his bed.

-<they had the conversation from last chapter about Denny's funeral>-

Confessing to Gordie about how i read his reasons why was hard but it would harder lying.But then i started rambling on and on about how sorry i was for reading it without perission and then i realised he was staring around but i still kept on going.He stopped. He hugged me again.

"What's this for?" I wasnt complaining, this felt nice.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for being here for me so much more than anyone else"

With that i hugged him a bit tighter and said, "I'll always be there for you Lachance"

We hugged for a while until i had to go because his dad came to check on him and force food down him. I got home and climbed through my window into my bed and thanfully my dad hadn't realise my disapearence nor my brother. I did go down stairs for water though when i saw Ace and my brother i instantly regretted leaving my room but surprisingly they didn't say anything too mean to me, Ace just hit me on the head and called me a fag. Then went back upstairs and went to sleep. Gordie was on my mind.

-(Denny's funeral - Gordie's POV)-

Surprisingly I had gained a lot of weight during the week and had hung out at the tree house once yesterday with everyone. Teddy and Vern were just saying sorry about Denny and get this, i didn't burst into tears, i think it was because Chris was with me. But today, today's different because this is the day we bury him.. I hope my dad doesnt shun off Chris because i don't know what i'll do withoout him there.

So i got dressed into my black suit with a tie and smart shoes to match. I went down stairs and to the kitchen to get something to eat, only jam toast. My dad came down stairs, the usual warning about how i should behave myself and all that shit. And said none of my friends were allowed to come so i guess i had to call Chris and tell him and express how much i don't like my dad for that.But then my mom came in the room, silence, my dad ignored her and i tried to comfort her but she pushed me away then my dad shouted and told me to go and do my hair so i was really ready. I hated him so much, but i walked away. I walked up the stairs into my room and looked around , I started thinking about him and when i did i just sat down and took a breath then looked on my bedside table and looked at a polaroid of us and put it in my top pocket then walked out the room and when i got to the top of the stairs i looked at out front door. and remembered the last time i saw him..

*Flash back*

"Bye Dad, Mom ,i'll see you soon." They all had a moment then Denny came over to me and gvae me a hug,

"I'm gonna miss you little Robert Stevenson, keep writing when im away i want another fun story."

"I've told you already, i don't know who Robert Stevenson even is!"

"C'mere-" He hugged me and i felt happy for last time for a while.

That was the last hug he gave to me.

*Now*

"Gordon! Hurry up we're leaving!" my dad shouted from the car outside and i hurried to the car so we weren't late even though we had 30 minutes drive. So we would still have a good 20 minutes before the memorial thing started.

< 37 minutes later>

We had arrived and now we are standing listening to the priest talk about how much we are all going to miss Denny when only about 12 people even know Denny. It just didn't feel like the intimacy he deserved at his funeral.. I couldn't wait til everyone had gone to the building close for the wake so i could talk to him alone. And eventually they started burying him and thats when my dad turned down and looked at me and said,

"It should have been you, Gordie.

It should have been you."

A single tear fell down my cheek as he looked away. 'It should have been you, Gordie.', those words will haunt me for the rest of my life..As soon as Denny was fully buried my mom and dad walked to the building leading everyone while i just stood there.. I looked down to my brother, lying there peacefully when he should have been home lying in his bed peacefully and my mom called down a sleepy childish adult for pancakes with syrup and orange juice, while im already down stairs on my way to school for my last day before summer of 59'. It was meant to be the greatest summer,with Denny back he was going to take me, Chris, Teddy and Vern down the Back Harlow Road to go camping and do all sorts of things but none of thats going to happen now because he is gone, forever this time. I could never see him again and neither could Chris.

-(Chris POV)-

Since i wasn't allowed close during the burial i decided to go and sit by a tree in sight of it then go see Gordie after everyone had left. During the burial Gordie's dad whisper something in his ear and then a tear falling from Gordie's eye like he was in a movie.. Suddenly it was as if only a secnd went by and everyone was indoors and Gordie was alone again. So i walked up closer so i could hear what he was saying. Making sure i was unnoticable, then he started talking

"Hey there Denny, long time-no see i guess..I've dreaded this moment for a while nw and not having Chris with me for this is hard but i will stay anyway.. I'm sorry i wanted you to come and do all these things for me and my friends, if it weren't for me you wouldn't be down there," He said in a sad voice as he whimpered then sat on the grass picking it from the ground.." Well at least you don't have to put with mom and dad's bull shit any more. You're free and you can be happy now. And now although i have a piece missing i know it will grow back eventually.. I was told a few days ago that , You can love someone and still let them go," He wasnt holding back any tears, he never blinked once but his eyes were streaming a river,

"So Denny,

I love you,

and i let you go.."