Remember Me

6. Wise Words

I didn't attend school for the next week. My mother took me to the hospital everyday to spend time with my father who lay asleep. Most of those days I just sat in the room watching him, sometimes I spoke to him, maybe he'd hear me.

"Dad, mom is angry. She's upset that I'm spending time worrying about my friend who's going to die when you're in hospital," I said sternly.

My dad with eyes closed replied, "Can I give you some advice? Dont worry about me, " my eyes lit up as I heard my father's voice. I hugged him a little too hard that he coughed but still had the energy to say, "I'm an old man, my child. I have long lived my life and I'm not even dying but your friend is young, like you. She has much to do, to see yet not very long to live. I know your mom can be harsh but even if you have to break the rules a little make your friend feel special. Allow her to be something of a spectacular memory." My father was always wise, even when he was being naughty. He patted me on the head and told me, "I had an experience like yours. My friend was moving away and he thought we'd all forget him so we found this huge log and carved his face and name into it. Then in the middle of the night we cemented it in the centre of our town so he'd never be forgotten." With those last words he fell back asleep.

My father gave me an idea and with my brain going and the devilish grin on my face I went home at the end of the week with big plans.