Stray tears slid chilly trails down my face to plop softly into the layers of newfallen snow and disappear. I brushed aside the white fluff from the dark marble plate where our name was emblazoned in fine silver letters. However there remains none of the familiar warmth of your big arms around my scrawny frame to counter winter's bite. "I remember when we would go for walks bundled like marshmellows along the trails winding down the mountains outside Icecicle Inn. I remember when we first attempted snowboarding and how miserably we failed. It was alot harder than the arcade game I played all the time at the Gold Saucer. Virtual reality is a hell of alot easier! I can't say I didn't have fun though. We really did have the time of our lives." I paused to light a cigarette, lighting up an extra and tucking the butt in the snow by your name.
"You remember, don't you? Ya better, it was you after all that cradled me all the way back after a particularly nasty wipeout landed me with my head banged up against a tree. I was okay, dazed as all hell but you fretted and doted over me worse than any mother hen. I can still see your bald head shining in the sun as we laughed it off. It was pretty funny. Then we cuddled in front of the fireplace inside the cozy little lodge and drank steaming mugs of hot chocolate with those tiny marshmellows that melt before you get a chance to enjoy them. I wanted to make smores on the fireplace but you went ahead and spoiled all the fun. We compensated for it though, settling for keeping the whole Inn up until two in the morning. Didn't that old guy in the lounge give us the funniest looks the next morning? Imagine what he would of that had we been in uniform!"
The incessant whiny beeping of my watch breaks me from the warm sanctuary of my memories. It was nearing time to head back but I figured I had a few more minutes to kill. Settling back in front of the marble plague I ran my fingers over the letters. It's been a long, hard year but I think you'd be proud of me. Things were rough at first, having to adjust to you being gone but I think I've handled it pretty damn well. I hope you'd agree, I've really been trying. I miss you like hell but I know you wouldn't want me to dwell and mope and be miserable. When my watch decided it was time to pester me again I leaned down and kissed the plate, shivering at the chill.
"Night baby. I'll see you soon, okay?" I turned and headed for the exit of the cemetary. The wind that had been silent and calm all day suddenly kicked up, carressing my face as it swirled around me. I gazed up at the sky with a broad smile, reminded myself I would never truly be alone in this world.
I know you're always by my side watching over me.