The Lifeguard

Chapter 44

"Everyday you chose to shine. You chose to face the sun to forget the shadows. You chose to find the light even if the clouds are in the way. You chose to grow tall without forgetting your roots. You chose to be strong, bold and bright. You chose to be a sunflower in a field of catastrophe. A sunflower who makes our days bright. Who guides us to find the light in the dark. One who tells us to keep our head up and to stand tall. Who makes us smile as bright as a sunflower and the sun. You made us look into the brighter side of everything," I read off my paper. "Standing in front of Zoe's loved ones made me realize that she has touch everyone's lives in different ways. She touched mine in the best way possible. She changed my life, my world. She bought happiness to my life. I know each one of us learned many things from her. And one of the things she taught us is compassion, but most importantly, she showed us love. But as for me, the most important thing I learned from her is forgiving. Words are not enough to express my gratitude for her. But right now, that's all I have. Words that can describe my love for her. Words that explains how much she means to me and to everyone in the room right now. Words that can recount our memories together and every seconds we had with her."

Everyone watch and listens as I continue to speak about her. Maybe right now, they're all reminiscing everything they shared with Zoe. The memories. Laughters. Joy. Jokes exchanged. Tears. And every single thing.

After the program, everyone had expressed their gratitude for her and offered their sincere condolences.

"Hey," calls Sean, as he pats my back. "That was a very nice speech. No one would have said it any better."

"Thanks," I smiled. "And I'm sorry. I know you lost a very special friend."

"We all did," says Sean. "I still can't believe it. She was still fine in the morning, you know. She was strong. She was very active. She was still laughing and joking. She was even making fun of me and Jace. I don't know what happened."

"I know. It took us all by surprise," I sighed. "But that's life isn't it? We don't know what's ahead of us. We don't know what's waiting nor what's on the plate for us. It's full of surprises. And we don't have a clue if it would be good or bad until it happens."

"That's true. Life is full of strange, sad unexpected twists," he answered.

"Excuse me," says a lady. She was wearing a black dress, and had her hair up on a ponytail. But she does not look familiar, not even a little bit. "Sorry for cutting your conversation, but I happen to hear you talking about Zoe, Zoe Anderson."

Sean and I both looked at her. "Are you a friend of Zoe?" I asked.

"No. I'm actually a complete stranger. I just know of her," she explains. "I'm Abigail."

Sean introduced himself. "We appreciate you coming," says Sean. She smiled at him in response. "Excuse me. I'll just check on Mrs. Anderson," he says to the both of us. Sean moved a little bit closer to me. "Can you meet me after? I have something for you," he whispers to me. I nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Abigail," he says to her before leaving.

"Oh. I apologize, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Connor," I tell her.

"I know who you are– I mean, of course you introduced yourself in front of everyone."

I scoffed, "I did."

"I'm sorry for your loss, by the way. She seems like a great girl. An amazing person, in general even."

"Thank you. And she is." I gave a little nod. "How do you know of her?"

"She saved my sister," she appreciatively says. "Because of her heart, my sister is given another chance to live."

I smiled widely knowing that she has saved someone despite this tradegy. "That's what she does. She saves people."

"My family and I are very thankful. That's why I came here. To thank her family personally, and express our condolences. My family wanted to come, but my sister is still not well enough to go out," she explains. "Anyway. That's my ride outside. I have to go."

"I wish for your sister's quick recovery. Thank you for coming."

"No. Thank you. And I know no words can ease the pain you might be feeling right now, but I hope you take comfort knowing that an angel is watching over you now."

"Thank you, Abigail. I know Zoe is happy for your family," I assure her. She smiled as she says her goodbye. I waited for her to leave before I look for Sean. When she was gone, I went back inside. Inside, Sean was with Jace and Ava. I can still feel the sadness in the atmosphere. This one's no surprise. Zoe is loved. And everyone is devastated.

"Where's Abigail?" asked Sean when he sees me. He walked closer to my direction, leaving Ava and Jace.

"She had to leave," I told him.

"So who is she?" he asked.

"Her little sister received Zoe's heart."

"Really? That's amazing."

"It is."

We talked for a while until the noise turned down a little. "The day before Zoe died, we were able to talk. And she mentioned some things about the two of you. She loves you. Very much. She cares about you. That day, I realized how happy you make her. Knowing her for a short time, I have never seen her that happy. It's different when it comes to you. And I witnessed that. Before I left, she asked for a pen and paper. I didn't bother to ask what for, I just gave her what she wanted. The next day– In the morning, she gave me the paper. She asked me to give it to you when things get rough. I didn't understand what she meant until it happened. Here," he says handing me the paper.

"Thanks, Sean. I appreciate it. She was very lucky to have you in her life."

"She was lucky to have us as much as we were lucky to have her," Sean gave me another pat on the shoulder. "I want you to know that Zoe does not regret taking the bullet for you. And she does not want you to blame yourself. She would do the same over and over again. That's how much she loves you. And I hope someday, you'll find the means to forgive yourself too."

"God blessed us with such a wonderful person. But now, he had taken her back because she doesn't belong in this cruel world. The world does not deserve to have a person with such a pure heart," I paused for a little while. "Who knows, she's probably laughing at us right now," I manage to chuckle and lighten the mood.

"You're right. She's enjoying this," he scoffed.

"She is."