Collaborated Damage

Ant's Story

Annette walked slowly, her black dressed itched almost as much as her eyes wanted to cry. Her arm was hooked through Felix's arm, a boy she had only been dating for a few weeks. This was her first loss, and she couldn't believe that it was him.

His mother helped her plan this funeral. Thousands of people cried when they heard the news, so many people feeling the pain of his loss, so many people upset. Those that were closer to him were poisoned, feeling impeccably sad even though deep down they knew this would happen. 

She couldn't help but smile I her memories with him, one stood out in particular, when she had a horrible sunburn.

A few years ago Annette thought that taking Blue and Helen to the beach would be a great idea. And it was. They swam and laughed. She flirted with a few teenage boys who worked hard to show off their abs, while Helen and Blue gazed at each other.

Annette knew that she was attractive, but she also knew that she would never be loved the way Helen was. Annette did not have loving parents or a family. She didn't have serious relationships. She didn't have anyone other than Blue. 

"Hey Ant," Blue called out. "You're looking red."

She shrugged it off. Red was good. Red was love, or a fever. The thought of a sunburn did not even enter her mind. She gaze out into the water and saw children splashing and mothers laughing. She wanted that.

Helen wandered off into the water. Blue had told her that she wanted to find a seashell in the water. The day went by fast and fun in the bitter sweet kind of way. She almost cried when she dropped Helen off. Annette had no reason to feel this sad, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Blue fell asleep in the car. "Hey, Blue, could you drive? You were right, my sunburn is bad."

They climbed clumsily over each other, Blue going to the drivers seat, and Annette moaning in pain in the passenger seat. Annette couldn't remember what they were talking about, but she said something funny and they were laughing out of control.

Blue had his license, but he was horrible at driving. Occasionally he would speed up or just plain stop in the middle of the road. He wasn't worried about the paparazzi. Annette wasn't either, she was just in pain.

Finally the legal system caught up with them and Annette had thrown up on the police officer. It was broadcasted all over the news; Rock star and Sunburned Waitress throw up on police. It was a lasting memory and one of her favorites. That was one of their jokes that she enjoyed the most.

They lowered his casket into the grave. No music was played, his mother insisted on it. Annette knew that Blue would want this to be a celebration so she arranged for rock to be played as they buried him.

A few people cried knowing the meaning of this song. Annette cried because she would never hear is complaining in her apartment again. She cried because of all the cruel jokes life gave to him. She cried because of all the things he would miss out on. 

Some people were outraged but she knew she did the right thing. 

"Blue Belcourt. Birth: January 13, 1994. Death: July 9, 2015. Age 21.

I said my goodbyes."