Against the Edge

A Late Night Visit

Miguel's focus had blurred as he drove, his hands guiding him on autopilot. He'd intended to head home, but when he finally looked up, he found himself parked in front of the cemetery, the place that housed his mother's final resting place. The quiet wasn't scary or unsettling instead, it filled him with a familiar warmth, almost like coming home.

He stepped out of the car, the cold night air brushing against his skin, and walked toward her grave. The silence of the cemetery felt comforting, as if it offered him a safe place to just... be.

Alone with his thoughts, he stood there, his hands in his pockets, his gaze soft as he took in the sight of her headstone.

A small sound broke the stillness, and he looked up to see Mr. Franklin, the cemetery's night guard, approaching. Mr. Franklin had been here for as long as Miguel could remember, tending to the cemetery grounds and keeping watch. They'd shared many quiet conversations over the years, the kind of talks that seemed to hold more weight in the darkness.

"Miguel," Mr. Franklin greeted him with a nod, his voice low and kind. "Been a while since I've seen you here."

Miguel managed a small smile. "Hey, Mr. Franklin. Yeah... guess I had to come tonight."

Mr. Franklin walked up, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I remember when you were just a little kid. You used to come running in here, didn't care about the time or how dark it was. You'd sneak past the gate, scared me half to death that first time." He chuckled softly. "Just saw this tiny kid running around looking for his mom."

Miguel let out a soft laugh, his shoulders easing a bit. "Guess I made your job interesting, huh?"

Mr. Franklin gave a warm chuckle, the sound gentle in the quiet night. "You did, and I didn't mind it one bit. Got to know you pretty well over the years, son."

They stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, the weight of shared memories lingering. Mr. Franklin looked over at Miguel, his gaze understanding. "She'd be proud of you, Miguel. The things you've accomplished. Even when life feels heavier than you'd like, you're carrying her with you. Don't forget that."

The two shared another quiet moment, Mr. Franklin offering the company Miguel didn't realize he'd needed.

Miguel gave Mr. Franklin a parting nod, slipping his hands back into his pockets. "Well, I guess this is it. Time to head back. Thanks again, Mr. Franklin. Really."

"Take care, son," Mr. Franklin replied, watching as Miguel turned and walked back toward his car. As Miguel climbed in, the night's calm washed over him, a sense of stillness filling the space. He sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into his bones.

Just as he was about to start the car, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, it was his father.

"Miguel," his father's voice came through the speaker, steady but a little rushed. "I wanted to call and let you know I won't be able to make it to your tournament. A court date came up, and I couldn't get it moved."

Miguel, used to his father's hectic schedule, forced a small smile he knew his dad wouldn't see. "It's okay, Dad. I get it. Work comes first."

"I'll be rooting for you from here, though," his father added, as if to bridge the distance between them. "Go out there and make your team proud."

"Yeah," Miguel replied softly, "I will."

They exchanged goodbyes, and Miguel ended the call. He leaned his head back against the seat, letting out a slow, heavy breath. The car was quiet, and for a moment, he closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the silence. In the comfort of the stillness, with his mind and body drained, he drifted off to sleep, the soft hum of the night settling around him like a blanket.