I do not own Nat King Cole or his song, "Mona Lisa" lmao

Andrew's P.O.V

Khalon hasn't been the same since his father's passing. He's become so distant, sometimes he doesn't even hear me when I'm directly next to him speaking.

He has told me how guilty he feels, for not choosing to visit his dad all those years after the war, but I know he couldn't help his feelings of anger towards him. I mean, I've never gone through what he has felt; being alone and having to take on challenges by himself, but Charles made a mistake he probably knew he would live his entire life regretting. I really feel for him though. It's hard for me too, being away sometimes on races. Drake and I have been together since Khalon's engine issue, and I've been pretty popular in my races. People seem to love my Red Tail concept, even though I'm not technically a Red Tail, I'm a replica. It's all to show support for my Red Tail friend.

Charles was 124 when he passed a few weeks ago; it was now 11 years after the engine incident. Khalon was now 109, and still as healthy and alive as ever. Though Charles' passing took him hard. Drake and I do all we can to help him through and make him feel better, but it just doesn't work. I heard that Tuskegee, Alabama has made a memorial to Charles for being one of the longest living planes in the world. I think Khalon was pretty happy about that. I think it was nice that they did that. They made a small little memorial near the airport he lived at, at the base of the runway. They had a stone that had a plaque which explained his story. His picture was next to it.

Khalon was sitting near the edge of the water in silence when I arrived back from visiting Drake. He wasn't even listening to his music that he always listened to. He also didn't even move when I came up near him. Worry crossed my mind as I slowed my engine and came up beside him.

"Are you alright?" I asked gently. He didn't even flinch.

"Yep." Was all he uttered. I thought for a moment before backing up and dragging his gramophone out. He seemed to always perk up a little when he listened to Nat King Cole, so that's what exactly I was going to do. He knows I would do anything to make him happy. I cranked it up and began to play his favorite song softly.

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, men have named you
you're so like the lady with the mystic smile
is it only 'cause you're lonely they have blamed you?
for that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile?

Khalon almost immediately looked back at me. He also knows that I know music cheers him up.

"What would I do without you?" He managed to crack a small smile. A sad one.

I shrugged, happy that I made him at least talk. "I don't know. Not much." I joked as I moved back over by him. "I know you like this song."

"That I do." Khalon said and faced towards the ocean again. "Music and the ocean just, fills a guy's soul."

I nodded. It really did. It was so calming, especially the type of music he listened to.

many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
they just lie there and they die there
are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa?
or just a cold and lonely lovely work of art?

"You know, my dad used to listen to this song. It was his and my mom's song. Every time it'd come on the radio, they'd get so happy."

"Maybe that's why you love it too. It's like, a family thing." I smiled. "Like twin superstitions or whatever. Telepathic connection or whatever it's called.

This made Khalon laugh, which warmed my heart. "I dunno, more like coincidence."

I didn't say anything but silently agreed. I knew he wasn't much of a believer in religions or superstitions or mythology. I mean, considering his past and what he went through, how could one be? I thought I heard him sniff and quickly looked over at him.

"I don't believe in Heaven or Hell, but, I hope my ol' man's havin' a good time." Was all he said before the gramophone's stylus began to jump.

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa?
or is this your way to hide a broken heart, heart, heart, heart-