Four Lions

53

Phoenix's POV

"You ready?" Sarah says as she wraps her arms around me from behind.

"As ready as I can be." I say then I turn in my girlfriend's arms and snuggle with her.

"Have you decided on what you wanna do when we're there?" Sarah questions.

"Not really." I say. "I don't really know what you're supposed to do when you visit your parents' grave."

The national team have the afternoon off today so Sarah and I are going to Arlington National Cemetery to see my parents' grave.

"We should probably go." I say.

Sarah nods then she softly kisses me.

"I love you." Sarah says.

"I love you too." I say then we get off our bed, grab our stuff, put on our shoes, and leave the bedroom.

"Get her Lilo." I hear August say as Sarah and I walk in to the living room of the Airbnb we're staying in here in DC.

"And just what are you all doing?" I say as I look at my friends and doggies.

Isobel's on the floor "wrestling" with Lilo and Stitch while the rest of my friends watch.

"Uh your doggies are beating Isobel in a wrestling match." Kiyana says causing Isobel to gasp.

"They are not." Isobel says. "Puppies get her."

"Lilo and Stitch lay." I say then Lilo and Stitch lay on Isobel.

"Ha." Kiyana says.

"Kiyana." I say.

"Oh look." Kiyana says. "I found your keys."

"Poohead." Sophia says as I grab the keys.

After I grab the keys, I squat down then pet my doggies.

"You two be good for your aunties for the next couple hours." I say. "After we get back we'll go explore that doggy t-r-e-a-t bar down the street."

Lilo and Stitch smile at me then they lick Isobel's face.

"Oh you two just don't play fair." Isobel says.

I chuckle then I stand up.

"Do y'all want us to have food waiting for when you come back?" Yasmijn asks.

"No." I say. "It's only 1 so we'll be back before dinner."

"Alright." Yasmijn says.

"Bye." I say then Sarah and I leave the Airbnb, get in the rental car, and head off to the cemetery.

After a quiet 10 minute drive, we arrive at Arlington National Cemetery then Sarah parks in the parking garage.

Once we're parked, Sarah and I get out of the car then we leave the parking garage and head on to the cemetery grounds.

"So where are we headed?" Sarah asks as she intertwines our hands.

"Section 55." I say then I lead Sarah away from the direction to Section 55.

"Uh that sign said Section 55 is the other way." Sarah says.

"I know." I say then Sarah and I walk in silence around the road that surrounds Sections 30, 31, 32, 33, and 33a.

Eventually we make it to the intersection of McClellan and Eisenhower which means we're in front of Section 55.

Fuck.

"Doesn't look like there are any burials happening." Sarah says as we walk towards the section.

"That's a very good thing." I say.

"Yes it is." Sarah says then we look for my Parents' grave.

After searching for a few minutes, we finally find my Parents' grave.

"Here we are." I say.

"Is...is your mothers around here?"

"Her info is on the backside of the tombstone." I say then we look at the backside where my Mom's info is. "They do that with married couples.

"Ah." Sarah says. "What's the religious symbol on her side?"

"My Mom was a Buddhist." I say.

"So your Mom was a Buddhist and your dad was Muslim?" Sarah questions as we sit down so we can look at my Dad's side of the tombstone.

"Yeah." I say then I lean my head on Sarah's shoulder

"How long's it been?" Sarah asks.

"The only time I've ever been here is my Dad's funeral." I say.

"Not even for your Mom?"

"My dad had her cremated." I say. "After he died, I put my Mom's ashes in my Dad's coffin."

"Oh." Sarah says then I sigh.

"I wish my dad was here to see me race." I say. "I could also really use one of his hugs."

"Was he one of those loud dads at your track races?"

"So loud." I say with a smile. "It took everything in me not to laugh during my races cause of the things he'd shout."

"What would he say."

"I don't think I should repeat any of it in a cemetery." I say.

"Ooh." Sarah says then we sit in silence.

"I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here at the cemetery." I say after a prolonged period of silence.

"You just need to do whatever you want." Sarah says. "If you need me to leave so you can talk then I'll go take a stroll."

"I don't wanna be alone." I say.

"Then I'll stay right here." Sarah says.

"Yay." I softly say causing Sarah to chuckle. "Do you think they're proud of me?"

"How can they not be?" Sarah questions. "You graduated college with a master's, you're an NCAA champion, a national champion, and a world champion."

"I guess so." I mumble.

"Plus you and your friends started an insanely profitable buisness and are turning the track and field clothing market on it's head." Sarah says. "And let's not forget the fact that you saved so many kids' lives last month."

"Not enough." I say then Sarah flicks me in the head. "Hey."

"Phoenix you did everything you physically could." Sarah says.

"Yeah." I say. "I know."

"They have so many reasons to be proud of you and I know they're proud of you for all of those reasons Phoenix." Sarah says then she kisses my head.

"I think they'd like you." I say. "Well at least I think my dad would like you."

I'd like to think my mom would like Sarah, but since I never met her I have no idea what my mom would think of Sarah.

"I miss him." I say as I sniffle. "I miss him so much."