How We Met

Chapter 26

 Etho's Perspective-

One Week Later-

Etho was slowly learning how to fly with the help of Cleo, who was also laughing at him a bit.

But he eventually figured it out, and he was able to fly back up to their little cloud town.

He walked with Cleo to her house and there was a piece of mail on the doormat.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's a letter for you. Must be your funeral." Cleo said, tossing me the letter.

I caught it and read it.

"So? When's your funeral?" Cleo asked.

"It's not a funeral, it's a wake. And it's at 3."

"You got two hours." Cleo said, "If you wanna go, that is."

"It says you can go with me, you wanna come?"

"I...don't know. That stuff always makes me sad."

"Yeah, I get it." I stuffed the letter in my pocket.

"So are you going to go?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, I'll fly down with you then."

I smiled at Cleo.

"Thanks."

-

We flew down to me and Joel's house where the wake was taking place and I walked through the door.

I turned back to Cleo who sighed and walked in with me.

"Alright, I'll go too."

I smiled and we sat down in the living room where fWhip, Adam, Joel, and my mother were.

I took a deep breath, trying to be prepared for the tears that everyone was going to share.

Joel's Perspective-

It was shocking, just sitting there, listening as everyone told stories of Etho when he wasn't there.

He was dead.

..And I was never going to get him back.

The image of his smiling face replayed in my head, and I felt myself start to cry.

I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to him.

And he was gone.

It was all so shocking and overwhelming.

He was so happy and loving and then he just died.

Just like that.

And it's not like a video game where he can just come back.

This is how fragile our lives are.

You can just lose them.

Just like that.

And Etho lost his.

It was taken away from me.

And I couldn't protect him.

"Joel? Would you like to say something?" Sausage asked me and I wiped my eyes.

I took a deep breath and fidgeted with my wedding ring.

"Etho was one of the nicest people in the world. I love him so much and I wish he didn't have to leave so soon."

Tears fell but I ignored them.

"And...no matter where he is, how different he is, no matter what...I'd still love him."

Adam patted my back.

"It's going to be okay." He whispered and I slowly nodded.

"He'll always be with you."

"Always and forever." I whispered.