May 17, 2213

Isn't it funny how it always seems to rain on a funeral? Maybe funny wasn't the right adjective though. Tragic might have worked better. At least, John felt like it did. He stood there, a lonely boy, watching as his father's coffin was lowered into the ground. He was the only family member there; everyone else was a co-worker of sorts paying their respects. It was a simple burial, nothing fancy. Dad would have liked it for himself. He was a humble man who only wanted to live a good life. Up until then, he did. A few days ago, John would have been smiling, laughing at a lame prank he pulled. Now all he could feel happy about was that the rain hid his tears. He should be better than that; Dad wouldn't want John to cry over him. He thought back to their last conversation. It... wasn't as good as it should have been.

May 13, 2213

John was playing some stupid game when Dad walked into his room. He looked like he was in a hurry, though John didn't notice at the time. John didn't notice much about Dad in general. Focusing on his game, he absent-mindedly asked, "Hey Dad, what's up?"

Dad smiled at his son. "Oh, nothing much John. I just wanted to tell you that I've been called into work again, so I won't be here for the rest of the evening. I made sure dinner was made though, and I should be back before midnight."

John nodded, still entirely captivated by his game. "Ok. Bye."

His father seemed to hesitate for a moment. "I love you Son."

"Yeah, you too."

Dad seemed a bit saddened by his response, but slowly closed the door. John heard him walk down the stairs and out the house. He barely noticed the car's engine start up as Dad left the driveway.

That would have been the last thing John ever said to his father.

It was dark when the rain hit. It sure was raining a lot these days, Dad probably thought to himself. He'd probably need to get John a new umbrella soon; one can never be too safe with family. As Dad turned onto a road when the upper-right side of the car was hit by a black car without its lights on, going well over 40 miles the limit. Dad's car spun out of control on the slick road, though he tried his best to get his vehicle back under his domain. He did stop though, as soon as he hit a light pole. Before impact, Dad had the smallest solace that the last thing he'd able to see was a picture of John and himself, hanging from his mirror. He always kept that picture with him, when John first started playing the piano. That was one of John's happiest memories, so it was also one of Dad's. Then the car hit; everything slowed down.

The windshield shattered.

Glass rained on his face just as the water did.

His picture became ruined with water and blood.

There was a high-pitched noise battling with the thumping of his head.

The cold water fought with his warm blood.

He did his best to hold on, to live, to see another day with John,

But a person can only do so much. Even love has its limits.

Dad resisted for as long as he could, but slowly, ever so slowly, his eyes began to close for one, final rest.

His thoughts had stopped.

His heart had stopped.

His life had stopped.

The only thing that went on was the black car.

The next day wasn't going so well for John. Dad wasn't back when he said he would be, so John woke up later than usual. In fact, if he didn't skip breakfast and his shower, he would have missed the bus entirely. Maybe Dad had to work later than he thought. John always got a little worried when Dad was out this long, but it wasn't unheard of. One time, Dad spent almost a solid week at work trying to fix a technical error. Dad's determination to not give up on something was quite admirable. Though... He did always make sure to get John ready for school and to have dinner ready. This wasn't like him at all.

Well, best not to worry about it. John had an entire day of school to bog him down. John just tuned out all of the people, the noise, the hustle of every day activities. He just wanted to get home and back to his games. Finally, as the school day came to an end, John reached his house, though was a bit put off when Dad both wasn't home and dinner hadn't been made. This was most certainly not like him whatsoever.

Unloading his things, he heard a car pull into the drive way. That must be Dad right there! As he opened the door though, he saw a police officer make his way to him. On seeing John, the police officer seemed to look kinda sad.

"Hey kid," he started out with. "is there umm, is there an adult here?"

John shook his head. "No Sir, but my dad should be back soon."

The cop grimaced. "I see... So, what's your name?"

"John."

"It's nice to meet you John. Do you have any relatives nearby?"

John shook his head. "No Sir. Just me and Dad. Why?"

"Oh... So John... Do you play games?"

John nodded again.

"You know, games can be fun a lot, but sometimes... They're not fair."

Panic slowly built inside of John. "W-what do you mean?"

It can't be. No, no he's not gonna say what John thought he would.

"Do you know where your dad was last night?"

"He was at work. He'll be back soon, we just have to wait for him." John said, pure terror slowly engulfing him.

"John... He's not coming back... He died last night, in a car crash... I'm sorry."

John just stared at the officer. "You know... You're... You're not funny! I know a prank when I see one, and this is one of the WORST ONES EVER!"

The officer tried to say more, but John ran off before he could say a word. He locked the door behind him. It just... Couldn't be. That guy was lying. Had to be. John was in a corner, rocking himself slowly as memories bounced through his mind.

'I love you John' 'I should be back before midnight' 'You make me so proud Son!' 'Happy Birthday John!' 'I love you Son'

'Ugh go away Dad' 'Yeah, you too' 'Dad, youre embarrassing me' 'God, cant you leave me alone?' 'Im not a little kid anymore Dad!'

Each one hit harder than the last. Each one causing John to sob harder and harder. Each one reminding him of what he took for granted, of what he lost.

The cop knocked on the door. "John, you have to come out of there."

"GO AWAY!" John shouted.

"Look... I can't say I know what you're going through... But I've read up on your father. He was a good man. He wouldn't want you to be acting like this."

That sentence, that once sentence, snapped John into an immediate numbness. He was right... Dad... He'd want John to be better than this. He'd want John to be strong... And he'd have to be now. He'd have to be strong for the both of them.

John unlocked the door and quietly walked to the police car. The next few days pasted in a blur. Being moved from place to place, until the day came.

Dad's funeral.

It went by, uneventful. Co-workers paying their dues, giving John his space. They talked of sports, of t.v shows, politics, so forth. John just looked at the casket. The only person who had ever loved him, the one person who took care of him, was lying in a casket three feet away from him.

So there he stood, a lonely boy, watching his father's body go into the ground. He had no one now.

He was alone.

A man came up to him, after the burial was finished. He was an older man, taller than John and had graying hair.

"Hello young man; are you John by chance?"

John slowly nodded. "Yes... Who's asking?"

The man smiled at him. "Harely. Mr. Harely. I worked with your father. He said that, in case of his of sudden... Dismissal, that you were to be placed in my care."

John hesitated. Could he trust this man? Well... It was better than a foster home, he guessed.

"And don't worry, all the legalities have been taken care of. I'm sure we'll get along swimmingly. We just need to grab your belongings and proceed to my home. In fact, I have a granddaughter around your age. You two will be best of friends, I'm sure!"

John didn't know what to make of it. Suddenly just... A new home? Well... It can't be that bad. He nodded. "Alright Sir."

"Most excellent my boy! Now, off we go!"

Whatever life John was just given, he was going to make the best of it. He'd make Dad proud, wherever he was.