He said he loved me... (completed)

A shoulder to cry on

My head wasn't thinking, and my legs just kept running. I didn't know where I was going, didn't need to... I just felt the need to get out of there before I suffocated. I got to the stream. No one was around. I wasn't surprised, I didn't expect to see anyone.

I sat down a stone directly in the middle of the stream and started to breathe slowly. I started to humm. I didn't know what, but I felt like it was the only way to calm down fully. The tune was remorseful and full of regret. Sadness filled the surroundings. I wasn't the only one.

I put my head in my knees and softly cried myself into a soft surrender. I cried for all the things my uncle couldn't be. I cried for all that he never got to see, I cried for his son and his mother. I cried for the effect it all has on us...

But most of all, I cried for the unfairness and unjustified way of his death, I cried and cried. The same line repeating in my head 'The good always suffer the most' and it was a while before I got myself together.

I just managed to hold a straight face. I wiped the tears off my face and started to throw pebbles into the water. Each one plomping straight donw under water. I was startled when my phone buzzed. I looked at the screen, expecting to see mom's number.

Jess

It was Nico. I had saved his number as 'Jess' so in case anyone found it before I had the chance then that would explain a lot. My heart suddenly perked up, knowing that there's some love around me. I answered the phone

"Hey babe, where are you?" His voice flowed

"By the stream..."

"Hey, are you crying?" He asked, suddenly sounding concerned

"No. I...I..."

"Shhh... I'm coming over, stay where you are by the stream. I'll be there in a min"

The line went dead. I felt dead. I put my head back on my knees and waited silently.

*******************************************************************************************************

"Monika? Hun, where are you... oh... sweetheart...shhh... it's okay, tell me" His voice soothing me into a complete, drowned out and tired silence.

"He's dead. My uncle is dead" I raised my head and looked into his eyes.

He looked shocked for a moment, and kept quiet. He then looked around and said "Lets get you up and walk. It'll help. Let's walk and talk."

He picked me up, effortlessly and we began to walk down the path. An old couple were ahead of us, walking their dogs, smiling knowledgeably at us, whislt Nico put his arm around me. My skin tickled under his touch. It felt soothing.

We went off the path in an unknown direction. I had no idea where we were going, and I didn't really care.

"Tell me about him..." He said softly as he used his thumb to wipe a tear of my cheek.

"He... he basically helped us so much. When we had nothing to eat, he'd take my mom by the hand to the store and say 'Take what you want, money's no restraint'" I smiled at the memory "He'd pay the bills when my dad took the money, he'd take us in when my dad beat my mom... he'd... why?" I cried. suddenly frustrated

"Why? Why do all the good people have to go first?" I cried onto his shoulder.

"It's always been like that... oh, come here..." He said and leaned in and kissed me gently, making me feel a whole lot better and clearing my mind, making all the questions settle down.

"Thank you" I whispered as we pulled apart.

Thank you... for being there... the both of you <3