A Friendship To Keep (une amitié à garder)

UNDERNEATH THE HARD ROCKS

Both of them, Georges and Father Trennes walked and planned to visit St. Claude's college school dormitory, Georges' present school. They walked to the school and both are noiseless. Out of the silence, Georges thanked Father Trennes for his treat in the café and said that he wasn't expecting that. Father Trennes responded with a mumble completely saying, "mmm". With their walk through, near the school, they hazily saw Father Lauzon at the entrance. As they approached the front gate, both bowed to Father Lauzon to show gratitude and respect. They easily entered the school without permission. The whole school felt empty and there are only few school supervisors and cleaners present in that moment. As they go to the fountain, Father Lauzon said to one of the new staff near the gate, "Let them in peacefully. They work and study here."

As Georges walk pass through the hallways, and the doors, he felt his heart prickling. Those memories of him didn't fade. He remembered how hard they tried to give and hide their letters. So many tactics are used but ended up on something different. Georges' chest started to crumble again. He walked unsteadily and seems to skip steps. He feel like exploding. The memories and recollections in the corridor left to him once again shattered his soul. He tried to restrain himself but couldn't. With his shaking hands, he hold on to Father Trennes'. Father Trennes seemed to notice it since earlier. He asked, "Georges, are you okay?"
With those words followed with Georges' grief. He cried and stopped walking. He sobs and his heart whined. Father Trennes stopped walking too. He was even more affected when Georges recited a prayer. It's not so clear but he heard Alexandre's name on it. Georges ended with an "Amen". Father Trennes gulped as he thinks of what should he do, he's greatly affected with Georges' grief as he's one of those who knew almost everything, and he's part of his journey to acceptance. While crying, Father Trennes hugged him tightly and Georges, didn't think of anything but hug him back. He breaths heavily in Father Trennes' embrace. Father Trennes made hold of his hand and make him move to the corner of the corridor, near the columna. The garden was on their sight in front of them, so as the rooms that are behind. Father Trennes let Georges cry for a while holding his hands. He knows it's good to cry to feel better. Later, Georges wiped his face in Father Trennes' cassock, in his arms. Father Trennes still felt Georges' sobs and tears but it's calmer than what he saw earlier. He told Georges, "What you experienced was a gift. Alexandre, is a gift."
He tapped Georges' back a few times. "Georges, I want you to breathe". Father Trennes said. But his sobs still continued. He was able to breath deeply but continues to sob.
"Georges, your heart is full of regrets. Let them out. Those regrets will soon turn into memories, and memories would turn you into a man. We cannot disregard the rules of nature. That's how life works Georges."
Georges stopped sobbing and thought to himself, "No father, I.. and Alexandre, we can." The priest remained silence to pay respect in the child's belief. After a minute, he make himself calm and repair his face and pose. Father Trennes let Alexandre stand and walk. Georges followed and come with Father Trennes. While walking in the garden, Father Trennes told Georges how can he easily cope. He said that prayers, or hopes wouldn't work. It's himself, his mind that needs to cope.
"Georges, whenever you come across a place where both you and Alexandre have memories on, don't think of him alone. That'll make your soul thinks he really does feel forsaken. Don't also think about your memories there. You can, but not this time. I'm saying, don't reminisce as it would bring you more pain to carry. I don't mean for you to forget about it, memories will stick with you forever even without thinking of it, especially if it's something, Special." Father Trennes adviced.
He added a couple of words to fill Georges' mind while walking around.
"Georges, all you need to do is picture out you and him, on that place, and on that time. Think of a separate you. Think of a different you, think of your consciousness, what do you represent and how do you see yourself? Picture that person out together with Alexandre. Don't base your illusion with your memories. Illusions with memory that are brought to reality cause doubled pain. The image of you, you're portraying should be based on how you feel on that moment. Your actions will value. Don't always think of him, comforting you, not you or the the image of You. That'll make your longing more severe. By that, you'll learn to see yourself, with him. Isn't that a more happy scene? By time, the mentality will soon fade and you will learn to accept."
"Not that he's gone, but accept that he will always be with you. Georges, I've experienced grief many times and it will be stuck on you forever, like how memories works. Georges, acceptance is the only key to move on."