When I was five, I knew this guy. He was in the same class as me and we would hang out at lunch. His name was Ludwig. I remember that much. He had blond hair and blue eyes. I would tease him about the funny way he talked (jokingly, of course), and he would reply with a good hearted, "At least I'm not a girl!" I suppose teasing like that is to be expected of five year olds. Especially best friends. Ludwig wasn't much for talking, or socializing in general. But you couldn't blame him: the other kids were so cruel. They would make fun of his accent and poke fun at how his face was always so serious.
I came into the school year late- about half way through. I don't quite remember why. Anyway, I didn't have much luck making friends, either. Once again, I'm sorry to say that the reason has eluded my memory. I guess it was only natural for Ludwig and I to gravitate towards one another. Even when the seizures would come he would hold my hand until they stopped. And then, when I could no longer walk or play outside, Ludwig would sneak me out on his back. He called that game, "airplane." I think those were the only times I ever saw him smile.
But then came a time when I couldn't see him for a while. I had to go into the hospital and stay until the doctor said I could leave. They even had to take away my braids and shave my head. Mom said it was because... I really don't remember what she said.
I think I got out of the hospital when I was ten. Luckily, by then I had my hair back, even though it was still short. I still had to go to the doctors a lot, and afterwards mom would always cry, but I knew everything would be okay: I got to be with Ludwig again. At recess we would play airplane, just like old times. All that time apart and if anything we were even closer. In all of those blithesome days, it felt as if the time spent together would never end. Winter turned into summer, and summer into spring. The months blended into years and years into memories. I was even able to graduate high school, much to my doctor's surprise.
But then something happened... This is where the memory gets harder to recall. I was in a car. And Ludwig was there. I can't remember exactly what happened, but I do remember the seizure. I remember the car swerving... and I remember the pain. Ludwig was hurt, too. I could see the blood. Oh, God, so much blood... But Ludwig was strong. He always has been. He picked me up on his back, just like when we were kids. I couldn't speak. He said... he said we were going to play airplane. I didn't understand what he meant; my head hurt too much. But the next thing I knew I really was flying, just like an airplane.
I'm sorry, but I don't remember what happened next. You know, this reminds me of a story. When I was five, I knew this guy. Funny, I don't seem to remember his name...