Dirk's suit is wrinkled, probably because he didn't bother to iron it last night. His tie is a pale orange, only slight to match his bright, orange eyes. Nothing obscuring them. No shades, not today. Today, he would meet his girlfriend.
He holds a basket. Inside, is a bottle of sparkling champagne, two wine glasses, and a bouquet of thornless red roses, which symbolize love at first sight. And also inside, are his shades, which he had worn all those years to hide his insecurity. But now, today, he would forever abandon them.
Dirk walks outside, his strides slow, yet firm. He gets into his car, sets the basket in the passenger seat, and drives away.
When he arrives at the cemetery, there is already a ceremony being held. He walks slowly past them, basket in hand, walking to the middle of the hallow place. He's practically memorized the area, after all the times he's been here. Once a year, on this same day, April 2. The air is always crisp, yet somehow irresistibly warm.
When he gets to the gravestone, Dirk kneels down, smiling sadly. He gazes at the words etched in stone.
'Roxy Lalonde
Loving friend and girlfriend
Dec. 14—June 26'
Dirk runs his finger across the top of the stone, wiping away some pollen. He smiles again and chuckles, setting the roses on the dirt in front of the rock.
"I brought these for you, Rox. I know you loved mushy crap like this, so I have thornless roses for you. Love at first sight, is what they mean." He looks down and sniffs. When he looks back up, he bites his lip. "Why'd you have to leave, Rox? Why did you leave me alone like that?" He gulps in a sob and laughs bitterly. "You know, I wanted so desperately to blame you for leaving. I wanted to be mad at you. But, I just couldn't. I even tried to blame myself, but I knew that you would hate that." He sighs, lovingly rubbing his thumb across her etched name. "I miss you, Roxy," he whispers, eyes watering.
Dirk sniffs and shakes his head. He wipes his tears and says, "I shouldn't be crying." He laughs and looks at the basket, bringing out the champagne and glasses. "I brought something to celebrate. It would be our 5 year anniversary today, if you were still here." Dirk smiles as he pours the drink into the two glasses. "You know, I haven't dated anyone since you." He looks up at the grave and sets one glass in front of it. "You were my only true love, Rox. You were always there for me. And I'd like to thank you for that."
He lifts his glass and mutters a "cheers" before drinking the glass in one gulp. Dirk then reaches into the basket and pulls out his now abandoned shades. "I want to give these to you," he says, setting them next to the roses. "I want to show you that I no longer I have to hide anything. And you showed me that, love. You showed me that I don't have to be afraid." He coughs, trying to cover another sob. "You… you're my hero, Rox. But you're also my love. And… and if I had never met you, I don't know where I'd be." He laughs and wipes his eyes with his sleeve.
He sits there for ten minutes, just enjoying the silence and sitting with his deceased love. When it comes to be about seven PM, Dirk stands off and brushes away the dirt that managed to get on his pants. He looks back down at the grave, picks up the basket, and walks away. But not before laying a gentle kiss onto the grave, where her name is.
"I love you, Roxy," he mutters to her, and only her.
Then he walks away, breathing one last goodbye, before leaving his love once again.