It was 7 years ago when my mom died, and every Sunday I would go and visit her grave at the Beacon Hills cemetery. I always loved visiting her grave because even though she may not be alive anymore, it always gave me a reason to get away from my father and I always felt I was talking to her there. To be honest, my father and I never really got along, he always wanted a son, and well, here I am, not a son. So when my mom died, he acted like I didn't exist and he was the last person to save me from loneliness. Now, I don't have anyone.
Another raining Sunday afternoon and I was heading to visit my mothers grave. Usually, I don't complain about being cold, but this rain was starting to aggravate me, so I did start to complain to myself. The cemetery was now in sight so I started to run because I knew I could get an umbrella there. Isaac Lahey, one of the guys who worked at the cemetery was always working on Sunday. He was one of those guys who always went out of his way to make you happy, so if it was hot outdoors, he would bring you some water, or if it was like today, he would bring you an umbrella. He was also someone who when you looked at, you couldn't help but smile at.
So here I was, all soaked and cold from the pouring rain walking towards my moms grave and out of nowhere, Isaac is beside me. I tried to hold back a smile, but like I said, you can't help it. Since Isaac started working at the cemetery, we haven't talked much, just a casual, how are you, or crappy weather we're having. We've never had an actual conversation. But I wasn't going to change that, so when Isaac handed me an umbrella I said thank you and made my way to my mother's grave.
There was something about Isaac today that made me turn my head just to see him. Like I've never really talked to the guy and I could tell something was bothering. Without thinking, I shouted, "Isaac, why don't you come join me?" He looked over at me, and surprisingly, he came and stood beside me. Someone please remind me why I called him over.
"Hey," came from Isaac as I was still trying to figure out why I called him over.
"So, uhm… I'm… yah, hi," I didn't know what else to say until I looked up at him and saw that he had a black eye. "Who hit you? I don't want to be mean, but it doesn't look too good."
"Yeah, I got hit again in lacrosse. Stupid me for not wearing my helmet during practice," his voice got all shaky and I could tell he was lying. Then I remembered when I walked by Isaac's house one evening after work, his father yelling at him. It hit me. His father did that to him.
"Did your father do that to you? If you don't want to talk about it though, it's fine."
We stood in silence for a good ten minutes listening to the sounds of passing cars behind us. Isaac looked at me and finally answered my question, "It was my father, I just haven't really had anyone to tell that to, but I trust you," I think he saw my start blushing because he paused, "Have you ever known someone almost your entire life, but only talked to them for less than an hour and you feel like you've been close for eternity? It's kind of how I feel with you right now," while saying this he looked at me and gave me an innocent smile.
"Yeah, it's a great feeling, isn't it?" and I smiled back at him, knowing today was a day I could never forget.