So this is a little backwards, I am posting week 3 as week 2, but I felt like I really needed to post this. Sorry for my absence, been dealing with life and the struggles of depression, and of course college. I picked myself up and I will be passing all four of my classes...yay...
Anyways, here is week 3 posted as week 2, this is Familial/Platonic Relationship.
He didn't need pity. He didn't need people to say it would be okay. He really didn't need anyone sharing their stories to help him feel better. All he needed was time. Time heals all wounds as the saying goes. Time is a funny thing. No matter how much time passes sometimes it can feel like the ache and sadness will never go away. Time can also wear things down. Unless kept up, time seems to enjoy unravelling things.
The stone was a faded grey now, the etched words not as pristine but still clearly visible, hauntingly so. While they were blessed in LA to not have the harsh weather that other parts of the country, the sun was the one element that could rival the others. Bright and unyielding the sun had the power most elements didn't possess, the power to gradually destroy and ruin. Thankfully today the coastal clouds seemed to roll in, keeping the sun hidden and the weather mild, shadows distorted.
Getting lost in another world the man didn't not hear the rustling of the scattered leaves or feel the presence of another until a clearing of a throat brought him back to reality.
"Afternoon."
The man looked up and the older male before him, "Good afternoon sir."
The older man smiled, acknowledging his greeting with a nod of his head before casting his eyes to the hedge stone in front of them.
"She was a lovely woman, of course, anyone who was able to put up with you deserved a medal, and was a fantastic woman."
For the first time that day a smile graced the young man's face.
"Yes, she was an exceptional woman, with my temper and all she still made me feel like the luckiest man in the world. She was the only one who knew how to calm me down and could even see when I first started to get angry. Even to this day I feel like I was the luckiest…..if you don't mind me asking sir, what brought you here today?"
Before the older man could give an answer, another figured joined the group.
"Hey, you got here quicker than I expected, you are walking much faster….I may need to get up earlier…"
The woman winked and dropped a kiss to her companion before noticing the kneeing man before them.
"Julio…" The woman breathed, surprise quickly dawning her face before it turned into sympathy. "I didn't see you there, I am so sorry for the intrusion caused by my not so better half…" The auburn haired woman elbowed the man, who just shot her a sideways grin before turning back to Julio.
"Yes, I do apologize for sneaking up on you and disturbing your mourning, but to answer your question, I am here visiting an old buddy from robbery homicide." The man cast a look down the cemetery a few yards away, "He went undercover and when he came back out he just wasn't the same…bit the bullet about 3 months later."
Julio casted his eyes downward.
"I am very sorry sir…"
"Thank you…" The man offered, patting his shoulder, "it has been ten years but sometimes it still feels like yesterday. I could tell he was different but he wasn't my partner…and I was too busy staring down the bottom of a bottle to really care…"
"Andy…" The woman beside him sighed.
"I know sweetheart…" He said before turning back to Julio, who had just stood up. "Sharon doesn't like me to blame myself, and for the most part I don't, just sometimes I think back to if I just would have been sober if I may have been able to save him."
He squeezed Sharon's hand as Julio nodded, casting his eyes towards the grave of his wife before turning back to his commanding officer and lieutenant.
"I know what you mean sir…"
"Hey…" Andy said, smiling, "As my grandson says, 'it doesn't do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live'….or something to that effect. Some magic book series my granddaughter read and now has gotten him into."
He smiled fondly at Julio.
"Well, we better get going, Rusty has probably already eaten half of the restaurant by now…" Sharon laughed before turning to a confused Julio, "We told Rusty and Gus we would met them at the new all you can eat pizzeria…that boy and pizza…."
Sharon and Andy shared a fond look before turning their attention to Julio, "We will see you Monday?"
Sharon was tugging Andy by the sleeve as she asked, clearly wanting to give him the privacy he had before they arrived…which he suddenly was grateful for.
"Of course ma'am, you guys have a nice time."
Julio watched as Andy nodded his head goodbye, explaining to him that they will, and that he may have to walk home, earning a laugh from Sharon before tucking herself into his side. As they walked away Julio felt a pang of jealousy….that could have been them.
As quickly as it came it then vanished, replaced with an almost sense of peace. Looking back at the stone, he gave a small smile before turning his attention to the now clearing sky, the sun peaking promisingly through the clouds.
"Well played darling, well played."
Time is a funny thing. It can sneak up on you and make you realized what you have missed in life. No, he didn't need stories or pity, he needed family. As Sharon waved from the car Julio couldn't help but smile and wave back, his wife may not be there physically, but she was there with him every day through his friends….his family….and that is what he needed. The little hand on his watch moved as Julio took a step towards his car, time could heal and it could destroy, it was up to him to decided what he will let time do…and he felt like he has given time enough control.