Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 22 - ...Until Dawn

Two months later...

Mason's POV

Me: I'm going to go to the graveyard before going to your house, so I might be a little late

Maia: that's okay. take your time

I smiled slightly as I put my phone in my pocket. I got out of the car, grabbed my small bouquet of flowers, and made my way to my parents' gravestones.

It's been a hot minute since I've been to the graveyard. I couldn't visit them often because they were buried here in Nashville, but I was all over the place since I kept moving schools.

I found the gravestones, and my lips curled up a bit when I saw that there were a few stuffed animals and many flowers resting next to them. I saw a few letters there as well.

Funny. I brought a letter, too.

I sat on my knees as I placed the bouquet between the gravestones and pulled out the letter from my pocket. I took a deep breath as I unfolded it.

But then I laughed. "I feel so nervous for some reason. I don't know why I even brought this letter; you're my parents."

I folded the letter again and held onto it. I cleared my throat.

"Um, I don't really know where to start, so hi. I guess I'll tell you what's been happening in my life so far." I pursed my lips. "I graduated! Yay! Even through all the trouble, I finally did it. Moving from school to school was difficult, but there was actually a plus to it.

"I met this really, really weird girl. On my first day, she came up to me and told me to move seats. Can you guys believe that? She also slapped me, yelled at me... all on the same day! I tried to act cool, but I was terrified.

I let out a laugh before continuing. "But can you guys also believe that that really, really weird girl... is now my girlfriend? I guess she started to see my unbelievable charm and genuinely notice how handsome I am."

I think my parents would've been doing a facepalm right now.

"But you guys," I continued. "I feel like you would like her. She's a bold young woman. A caring, considerate, and an optimistic person. And she's quite beautiful. Isn't that a bonus?"

I smiled, and eventually let out a sigh. "I wish you guys would've seen her. She's quite cool. And she's a fan of Mom."

I just know that Maia would've screamed of joy once she saw Mom.

"Also, I'm not sure if Grandpa told you guys, but I made Vanderbilt. I'm moving in in 3 days, and my roommate's a nice person. I've talked to him through the phone already." I grinned. "And I've walked through the campus again with Grandpa a while ago.

"And speaking of Grandpa, he finally retired. And Bennett visited us shortly after my graduation."

After many, many years, I think I'm getting the hang of things again.

"I'm settling in well, so you two don't have to worry about me." I continued. "I'll continue to try my best and make you proud. I promise."

I took out the family picture with all 4 of us standing in front of Niagara Falls from my pocket and placed it next to my bouquet.

"Mom, Dad," I began. "I miss you both. So much. There isn't a day, a single day, that goes by where I don't think of you. And I see now that many others feel the same."

After a while of sitting in front of my parents, I slowly got to my feet. After staring at their gravestones, I smiled slightly.

"I love you," I whispered. "I'll see you both soon."