Friendship: 70 Years In The Making.

Part 1- 1945.

Date: October 4th, 1945.
Time: 10:00 PM.
Location: Bangkok, Thailand.

It was the end of World War 2. My great-grandfather George, an officer from a group that was send out to fight in Belgium, and a private under his command named Robert had been captured by the Japanese and sent to Thailand to be imprisoned. However, they were only imprisoned for 2 months before the war ended. Despite what happened to them, this is how it all turned out.

They were staying in a lavish hotel in Bangkok the night before they began the journey back to America. It was a warm, dry night, perfect for going to a rooftop to view the stars. So that's what George did. He used private staircases to get to the rooftop, and when he arrived he saw something he never wanted to see out of anyone, especially someone he had grown so close to.

Robert had been standing severely close to the edge. He was looking down and about ready to make his final decision, the one to end it all. George, someone who cared for everybody and to this day never held a grudge against the people who imprisoned him and treated him pourly in the war, couldn't bear to see this. Without scaring Robert, he reached up and pushed Robert towards him, away from the ledge.

George: "What the hell are you thinking?"

Robert: "I...well, it's hard to explain."

George: "What's so hard to explain?"

Robert: "I was going to jump. The things I saw while I was away from home. The things I put you through. If it weren't for me back in Belgium, you wouldn't have been here. I'm sorry, sir. I know you're bitter about it. You haven't said a word to me since we got out."

This had been true. George had remained silent, however had no resentment towards Robert.

George: "Are you kidding me? First of all, cut it out with the sir thing. The war is over and I'm no longer your commander. And yes, Robert. It is your fault. But the mistake you made had been the best mistake of my life. I wouldn't have survived if I had to remain in Europe, we both know that. And what I got out of it? I got to meet my best friend ever, and that's you."

Robert stood there, surprised and blank for a moment.

Robert: "What? We know nothing about each other. You've barely said two words to me ever. How are we bes-"

George: "I've been alone my whole life. No one wrote to me here, no one in our unit liked me, and I have never found it useful to say anything to anyone. So yes, of course I've been silent. And not because I hate you for being here or anything ridiculous like that. Because there is no need to. But our actions speak louder than words. And in my opinion, all the actions we have been through, leading up to this point, where we are standing now, say that you are the person I care about the most."

After that point, George's words remained true. No more words could be said on the rooftop that night, only action. Action of true friendship between the two. Action that lasted a lifetime.