A Summer To Remember

Chapter 15

David's Dad died in April of my senior year. David's uncle called that evening to inform us. I don't think David's taking it well. The funeral was held the following saturday. Now that I had a car and my license, I told my Dad that I was going to the funeral. He only agreed if Timmy came with me.

David's whole family was there, including his sister, Sophie. Sophie was the first to greet us when we got there. She gave me a hug and I hugged back.

"Hey, Em." She said.

"Hey Sophie." I said. "How's David taking it?"

"Oh" She said with a sigh. "He's trying to stay strong for everyone but when our Dad died, well, he took it worst than everyone else. He has locked himself in his room for the past couple days."

Now I knew I needed to see David as soon as possible. He needed me more than ever right now.

"Sophie, where's David?" I asked.

"In the hall. He's pretty freaked about this whole thing."

I nodded and headed inside while Timmy stayed and talked with Sophie. When I got in, there David was. Sitting on a bench right outside the room his family was in. He had his face in his hands. Some people walked by telling him if he is okay and he just muffled "Yeah" to them.

I walked up in front of him. "David?"

He rose his head slowly reconizing my voice. "Emily?" He motioned for me to sit next to him. I sat. "It's nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too. I've missed you."

"The long distance thing didn't really work, did it?" He asked.

"I guess not." I said. "How you holding up?"

He wiped his eyes. "Okay, I guess." He started crying so I wrapped him up in a hug. He hugged back.

"Shh, it's going to be okay, David. I've lost many people in my life too. All I have is my Dad and brother. No one else is there for me. But you changed that and I'm going to be here to do the same for you."

He muffled. "I really appreciate that." We seprated from eachother. He wiped his eyes again. "I just can't believe this all happened."

I stared into his eyes. "Look David. The world is not a wish granting factory. Nothing ever goes as expected. We just have to appreciate every thing while we have it."

He laughed with a smile. "Quoting John Green?"

I smiled shyly. "Smarty pants." I teased.

He stared into my eyes and I did the same. He slowly started to lean forward towards me and I decided to do the same. His hand rested on my cheek. He then kissed me passionately and I followed along. I missed his lips on mine. It's been almost two years since I last felt his lips on mine. I leaned back after a while and hugged him.

"Mark Carson was a loved man." The priest said to the crowd in the church. "Known to always have a smile on his face and knew ways of making people laugh. He was a beloved father, brother, son, ect." The priest went on about all these great things about Mr. Carson. David sat up in the front row with his uncle and I sat a few rows back. The priest talked about the love and support Mark Carson would give to others.

After the funeral, every one stepped outside to get ready for the drive to the funeral. David was outside before me so I ran up to him. "David, we need to talk."

"Why?" He said putting his hands in his suit pockets.

I sighed. "Why haven't you called me? It's been two years." I tried not to sound hesitant.

"Why didn't I call you?" He started. "I thought you wouldn't want to talk any more and I was afraid that this wouldn't work out even when I prayed to god it would."

"It wasn't over. It was never over. I tried moving on. But no one came close enough to make me love them like I love you."

"It wasn't over for me either. It was getting harder and harder. And after my dad got sick." He paused for a moment. "I wanted you beside me the whole time. I still love you, Emily."

My eyes started to tear up. "I still love you too. But I don't know if I can be with someone who is never around."

"I love you." He started. "That's why me and Tedd are going to spend the summer up there." I started to smile. "As soon as I graduate though. But I'm going to a community college up there. I'm doing this because I can't stand to spend another minute away from you." I smiled as he leaned in and kiss me.