𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐦 [Christopher & Matthew Sturniolo]

Dᴀᴛᴇ.

ꜰʟᴀsʜʙᴀᴄᴋ

Sᴇɴɪᴏʀ Yᴇᴀʀ
⁰⁴/²¹/²⁰²⁰

Taylor Withlock

When Mary Lou said bye I took that as my opportunity to 'go out' for my date. I didn't have a clue to where I could go. Since I have recently unpacked memories from the past, I decided to stop by a place that it has been quite a while since I have been. My dad's grave. I think it will be the first time I go there alone. And even though it's strange, the idea of being closer to him sounds comforting now. Upon arriving at the cemetery I walked among the various stones driven into the ground until I found the one with my father's name engraved on it and crouched down to read the letters half erased by time. "Francis Vieira Withlock. 1978 - 2010." and underneath his favorite quote "Change is a condition of loss, but it is also a condition of growth". That was the last phrase of the first novel he wrote. I remember how he always knew what to say, he would tell me that it was "a writer's thing", but I would always retort saying it was his thing. And it really was. And at this very moment I needed to listen to him, I needed his help, and his sense of direction. But he is not here.

"I really miss you, Dad," I whispered softly and then looked around to see if there was anyone else in the huge cemetery, and when I saw that there was only one I let slip "I've been really upset these days and you were the only one who could handle my temper," I said feeling my eyes water, "Do you remember the triplets that are our neighbors?" I asked taking a breath knowing there would be no answer but continued anyway "One of them called me emotionally damaged today, and maybe it's true, I don't know" I felt a tear roll down my cheek and dried it quickly "I just wish you were here to make me believe otherwise, because that's the thing you do best, you know how to make people believe" I stood up finally straightening my posture and looking at the other flower filled graves "I'll bring you flowers next time" I mentioned before walking out of the cemetery.

As I left the cemetery I also tried to leave the words I said behind and I walked around the neighborhood. After some time I decided to go to the park, watch the kids fall and get some fresh air, everything I need right now.

When I turned the corner of my street walking to the path for the park I realized I forgot my airpods. Great, now I have nothing to listen to when I get there. The whole way I looked down, kicking some rocks to keep me entertained while humming a random song from my memory. When I lost my small rock I found myself almost at my destination, since it was a sunday afternoon it was calm, not much movement but with some families here and there on a picnic. Little kids running around trying to catch some birds, while their parents would yell to not get near the lake.

I sat down in one of the benches that was placed underneath a willow tree, amazing view if you ask me. After sitting down I took a picture of the place, it was a nice breeze outside and since I had nothing to do I just sat there watching the little kids run around, with the birds trying to find a spot where the kids wouldn't bother them.

I put my leg up hugging it so it wouldn't move, resting my chin on it. I caught myself smiling when one of the kids dad got up to play with them, even though my dad passed years ago I still remember when he would bring us to this park, he would chase us around with fallen sticks from the nearest tree, pretending it was horns and he was the monster who liked to run after kids. A little dark looking back now, but we ran and laughed freely back then without a single care in the world.

I look around trying to lighten my mood again, putting my leg back down and getting more comfortable on the bench. I look up at the tree seeing two birds chirping happily above me, I smile a bit. Sometimes I wonder if birds can understand us, or if they have a language amongst themselves. I look back down again, now watching the lake where the ducks were quacking and swimming around, waiting for the families to give them some bread.