Amalli Quinn: The Nature of Stars

Talk

   "Dad?"

   My father looked up at me, his wrinkles more visible as the dim light from the window behind him shone in. May was nowhere in sight, so I assumed it would be a good time to talk.

   "Hey, Mal." he said weakly. "Come here."

   I walked over and sat by his legs. "About the news. . ."

   "About Simon?"

   I nodded. "How are you feeling? I know that's a stupid question but–"

   "It's not stupid, Mal. I appreciate your concern." Dad smiled down at me. "I'm feeling kind of. . . I don't know. Empty? It's not everyday that you wake up one afternoon and learn that your best friend's dead."

   I stared at the wooden floorboards. I imagined myself in dad's place. I imagined living a perfectly normal life ten or twenty years after graduating highschool, then suddenly hearing that Merethe was gone. I felt my insides twist at the though, but I knew dad's pain was infinitely worse because his was real.

   "Simon was a real good guy." Dad said, nodding to himself. "We used to walk to the woods a lot. That clearing that you still love going to every now and then? That was where we played and hung out. Back then, we'd lay on the grass, put our hands up to the sky and count the stars that fit between our fingers. Simon joked about growing up and not seeing the stars change or die out, but I guess he really won't be seeing any now."

   "Wow," I mumbled. It was all I could say.

   Dad chuckled. "Funny how time flies right? One moment, you're stargazing with one of the best guys you've ever met, and the next, you're being told by his own son that he's been gone for two months."

   Now, I really couldn't stop imagining. All I could think of was what the future would look like for Merethe and I. In the few months we'd known each ither, she had already become the closest friend to me. She was pretty much my sister now, and thinking of going separate ways with her after highschool or in the near future was already painful.

   As if sensing that I was losing myself in my imagination, dad spoke again. "How about you?" he asked. "How are you feeling?"

   I shook my head. "Don't change the subject, dad. You're the one who's going through the dark right now."

   "You were thinking of something. I reckon it's pretty deep."

   "It's nothing to be worried about. Just my future with Mer."

   "You're making it sound like you two are in a relationship."

   I gave a short, breathy laugh. "You know that's not what I meant. She's my best friend, and if we part ways and something happens to her. . ."

   "And you find out much later than you want to, you'd most probably lose your mind."

   "I would definitely lose my mind."

   Dad sighed. "Not trying to make you rethink everything, but Merethe isn't the only person you'll meet."

   I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

   "There will be so many people who come and go in your life." Dad began. "Some will leave an impression, while some will leave a lesson. Some won't even matter much because you won't even realize they were there. Merethe is a really good friend, but I guarantee she isn't the only one you'll be meeting. Even if something does happen to you or to her, there will be people to help you carry on." he smiled wider. "I was heartbroken when my dad died, but your mom was there to help me through that. Even if my dad never made it to my wedding, I knew he was looking down at me and wishing me the happiest life with Emily. Your mom made me feel complete again."