Forgotten [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 34; Love Taylor

Listen to Home by Gabrielle Aplin while reading this chapter. You might have to play it twice.

One year later

"Hey Dad." I knelt down in the grass, not worrying about my new jeans getting stained. "I...uh...I miss you. A lot." I paused, searching for the right words to say.

"It's getting harder each day knowing you'll never be around again. But it's also getting better because I know you're somewhere...better. You were a good guy, I know you're in Heaven." I stopped and looked up at the sky. It was a nice day. Sunny blue skies, barely any clouds.

I looked back at the car. Dad's car. I thought about him driving it. How he taught me how to drive in it. I smiled.

"So, I have some good news. I got accepted into Ohio State University! It's close to home so I can visit often and I wanted to go there anyways. I haven't decided my major yet. I'm not exactly sure want I want to be yet. Ryan says he'll help me decide. He got into Michigan State with a sports scholarship. Isn't my boyfriend great?"

I wished Dad was sitting next to me so he could say, "I'd prefer it if you said, 'isn't my male friend great?'" I laughed again. I looked back at the car where Ryan got out to stretch. I told him I wanted to be alone and he gave me the space I wanted.

"Well...I better get back." I sighed. "I've got to get home for dinner. Grandma will be pi...pretty angry if I'm late. So uhh...I love you. And I miss you...bye." I placed the plain, white flowers in front of his tombstone and stood up. I dusted off my light blue jeans and put my hands into the pockets of my floral cardigan. I headed towards the car.

"Back so soon?" Ryan asked. "Anything new?"

I shook my head. "Not really. He did want me to congratulate you on your scholarship."

"Did he really?"

"Mhmm."

"Next time I'll tell him I said thanks." He laughed throwing his arm around my waist. We leaned against the car looking back at his grave.

"I really miss him, ya know?"

Ryan kissed me on the cheek. "I know. I kinda miss him, too."

There was a short pause, then Ryan spoke again. "You wanna go back? I can go with you, if you want."

I shrugged then shook my head. "Nah. It's fine. We better go. Come on." He opened the door on the passenger side for me and I stepped in. He walked around the car and got in the driver's seat and pulled off.

When we got home, I let myself out. Ryan had to park across the street because the driveway was full. We had a few family member's over for Dad's birthday -which passed four days before.

I walked next to Ryan and threw my arms around his neck. "I'm happy you came here for me. I know it's weird to throw a dead person a birthday party."

"It's not weird," he chuckled "Especially since you were so close to him." I leaned in and pecked his lips. He pulled back. "I mean, you don't plan on doing this ever year, right? That'd be...creepy."

We both laughed before I pouted. "So are you saying you're not coming to his party next year?"

"Sorry, babe. I'd have to pass." We laughed again. I kissed him again. This time longer. I was happy I had Ryan. I'm sure Dad would've been happy for me, too. After Luke and I decided to stay friends, I learned how much better Ryan was for me. I just felt that Ryan and I had been through so much together and we should go through a lot more. Together.

The front door swung open Nana was standing in the doorway with Mom holding her arm. I quickly let go of Ryan and faced the door. Nana was Mom's mom. Dad's mom preferred to be called grandma. She thought Nana sounded too old.