The Things That I Know || George Michael

three - wherever you are

"So, how's your dad coping?" Levi's questioning of such sensitive subjects makes for the saddest of small talk between himself and his partner. "Is he doing okay?"

"Mel said he's struggling," George informs him, holding his half-empty tea mug between his two hands. "Which is understandable. They were together for almost sixty years."

"And how's Melanie doing? Yioda?"

"The same," George responds shortly; though, feeling the need to elaborate, he continues to talk, "Everyone is just trying to come to terms with it. It was so sudden. Nobody expected it."

"It's just so unfair," Levi frowns. "She was so fit and well, for a woman of her age."

George nods, knowing that he must change the subject temporarily if he's going to maintain his composure. "Kieran's looking forward to going back to school tomorrow."

"He seems to have taken all this very well, doesn't he?" Levi asks rhetorically. "Then again — he's only seven. He'll probably feel it more when he's older."

"But for now, he's really looking forward to going back to school," George repeats. "He showed me his Summer Holidays homework the other day. It was the usual 'What I Did Over Summer' essay nonsense they make kids do these days. He was really proud of it." His self-distraction appears to work, as he carries on discussing, "He drew a picture of himself, me, you and Gemma. When we went to the beach in Devon for that day trip."

"It was a beautiful day." Levi nods in agreement with his own words, as he recalls the memory from only a few weeks ago. "Did he also draw the crab that pinched Daddy's toes while he was sunbathing?"

"I didn't even know crabs came that far out of the sea. I thought the sand was the safe zone," George defends. "Those little tossers normally live in the rock pools. Gemma wanted to go hunting for more of the buggers once that one got me."

"I view it as instant karma for not helping Kieran to build his sandcastle," Levi chuckles. The conversation is interrupted by the living room door slowly creeping open; a pair of moss green eyes peep through the tiny gap. "Hello, Gem. Are you okay?"

"I finished writing the letter for Grandma," she explains, widening the space in the door so she can slip into the room. "Daddy asked if he could see it after I finished writing it." She jumps onto the sofa between the men; proudly presenting the paper to George. "Here."

"Excellent. Thank you, darling." George gently grasps the heartfelt note, holding it in both hands. "Should I read it to myself, or out loud?"

"Read it in your head. I want to wait until night time so that I can read it to the brightest star in the sky like you said," Gemma informs him. "Am I allowed to do that?"

"Of course you're allowed to," Levi assures her. "How about, all four of us go into the garden when it's dark; and we all say some words for Grandma?" He glances to George, seeking some form of approval. "What do you think, Daddy?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea," George responds quietly. "Anyway — I'll read this now." His eyes move down to the letter, as he starts to read it.

To grandma,

Today daddy told me that you have gone to see the angles in heaven, so I hope your having fun their. I hope that you enjoy the cake and the music that is up there, I hope they are playing all of your favrite songs. Daddy said that I won't get to see you again now, but he said your still every were around us, in the sky and the grass and the pretty statue in the garden. I will miss you for ever and ever, but I hope you can see me and I hope I will make you proud and happy. And maybe you can make the sun shine every day because both my daddys like the sun, it makes them happy. And daddy has bin crying a lot today because he misses you, so I will give him a big hug for you ok? I will miss you grandma, and I love you for ever!!