He walked slowly among the graves, carrying some flowers in hand. It was really too painful. The old man still kept the same traits, although age has come too fast. Every time he went there it was as if the wound had been opened and closed and with time it was reopened with broken glass. Now it was a few hours since he had attended the funeral and left just before the coffin was placed into the grave. That was too much for him. He could not watch it repeat itself, so had thought better to walk away and appear later there, after everyone had gone.
For some reason, he felt the need to go get his guitar at home. The guitar that was long kept in the attic there. He had a brief look and found that the ropes were still good. He sat down on the grass between the place where his brother had been buried two months ago and now where the best friend of the two had been newly placed underground, to rest in eternal sleep.
He separated the flowers placing half of it for Wesley and half of it for Drew, separating two more, one for Kenny and one for Kyle, who were buried ahead .
- You know, I remember how you spoke of flowers, Drew. How they had such a pure and true beauty. And this lily... Now I see how you were right. - He said.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking at the flower in his hand.
- Wes... You always said things were crazy, in an hour we were there, playing on the pier and then on X Factor, winning awards, traveling the world, having fans and now we're here. The three of us, all around here. - Said - Wesley, you have no idea how much happy it made me inside when you said you were proud of me.
Keaton took the guitar from his back and held it in his arms.
- You know, you're gone now. I'm so lost. I have no one to support me, to make me laugh, to help me when I get nervous. I remember... how you supported me and urged me to follow with you in the band. Of how Emblem3 changed our lives. I think somehow I've become a little too dependent of you. And... you are there now. I guess it's time for me to start dealing with life by myself.
He let a tear escape his green eyes.
- I am so thankful. You taught me everything I know. You taught me to love music, to be who I am, to enjoy every second of life. You know, when we decided we should stop working, after so many years playing and having success, a part of me is gone. I think a piece of each one of us is, isn't it? We should not have done that, dudes.
Mentally Keaton sought a song that he could remember well. He had a good memory.
- Thanks for everything, brothers. So... We haven't played a song for a long time, I think it's only fair we play one last song together. I know you're here with me spiritually. Drew probably brought Wes here and you must be agreeing with me. Come on.
Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later They will all be gone
Why do not they stay young
Some are like water, some are like the heat,
Some are a melody and some are the beat.
Sooner or later, they will all be dead.
Why do not they stay young?
Keaton felt a wind blow in his face. A different wind. He closed his eyes while strumming on his old guitar. He heard Wesley's and Drew's voices singing along with him.
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever, or never
Forever young, i want to be forever youn
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever young, I wanna be forever young.
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever or never
Forever young, I wanna be forever young.
Do you really want to live forever?
forever young
He stopped playing and smiled, opening his eyes. He knew they were there with him. He may fail to see them, but he could feel them. And he knew he would never be alone. Drew and Wesley were with him.
He stood up, putting the guitar in his back. He started walking back, giving one last look at the two graves, where one side was the name of Wesley and dates of birth and death, Drew's with today's date as his date of birth. The space between the two tombs was where Keaton would end up being buried.
- Who knew I'd be the last one standing from Emblem3? You never get tired of putting me in these situations, do you? But I am deeply grateful for everything. I love you guys. See you soon, I will soon join you. - He said, letting another tear stream down his cheeks. - Forever Young.
Five months later, they found Keaton's body lying on his bed. Beside him was a note, which read in the old man handwritting: "It's time for me to join them, but emblem3 will always be alive until the last note of our music is played for the last time."
PS : read while listening to this song : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqOS1-vQl2M
- Mayara Cargnin
