Love is patient and kind, it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.

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Endure whatever comes; Love does not come to an end….

I heard those words on my wedding day as I stood beside my wife, and promised to endure. I promised to endure whatever comes. Now, as I watch them lower her into her final resting place, where she can finally sleep peacefully, without fear of the spasming pain of her once deteriorating body; I am enduring. I am enduring my every heart beat, knowing that hers doesn't. I am enduring the smell of the dug up earth; I am enduring her father's silent tears, while he stands beside me; I am enduring my father's hand placed on my shoulder holding on to me tightly, keeping me rooted in spot, as if to prevent me to stop the lowering of the casket. I am enduring the sense of my mother's gaze on me. I am enduring; the fact that love does not come to an end, but human life does.

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"I am sorry for your loss."

I keep hearing that today, doesn't anyone have anything else to say to me today…

"So sorry for you loss…"

"Langdon?"

Someone is calling my name

"Langdon?"

I want to respond. How do I respond? I know I have a voice. What does it sound like?

"yes"

Yes, is that what it sounds like now? It's different, empty, hollow. Where's the life gone from it?

Buried, in the fresh earth. Yes, that is where it is. My voice.

"yes"

Blink. Yes blinking is a good idea, they will know, that I am with them.

"I was saying please accept our condolences for your loss."

Wait. Now what do I say, I know I shouldn't say yes, what happened to all the words I were two other words I know that can be….

"Thank you."

Wait, that's not my voice, who is that? Her voice is comforting, warm, consoling… motherly.

"Just nod sweetheart, you don't have to say anything."

Nod.

Yes, just nod.

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Are you afraid?

To death…Come on Langdon lighten up

That isn't funny

I am afraid of not being with you…

She wasn't afraid then, but she must be afraid now. How can I fight what you're afraid of now?

Chapter one : flat line