It was just a random Wednesday, the sun shined and the birds chirped. There was a light a breeze. Darien walked purposely, staring at the ground, making sure he did not step on any stones, until he found what he was looking. He exhaled. Plopped a blanket on the grass. Kneeled down and laid a bouquet on two headstones.
"Hey, mom," he dusted her name plate. "Hey dad." His heart pounded.
"I know it's been while since I have came here. I have been so busy lately. With school, and my internship. Thank you for helping me get that dad." Darien half smiled. "They saw my last name and connected the dots. I had no idea you were in a fraternity when you were in college dad. I don't even recall any of that stuff in your belongings." His smiled faded.
He thought back to the day he was taken to their old residence to grab some things before going to the orphanage. His whole life placed into a box. He grabbed a few pictures, some books, his mom's perfume, and his dad's green jacket.
"He did tell me some great stories." He forced another smile. "I guess I always had this idea in my head you were by the book and never broke the rules." He shrugged. "I guess I was wrong, I just wonder if mom knows all the things you and your frat brothers got into?" He released a slow breath. "He did tell me most occurred before you two together, so maybe it is best she doesn't know." He looked at his moms plate again.
"Speaking of together... I kind of met someone." He adjusted his position from kneeling to sitting on the blanket, legs crossed. "I guess that is another reason I have not been here. With my crazy schedule, I find myself wanting to be with her any second I have off. I am sorry."
"But I think you guys would have loved her... Because I think I am in love with her. I haven't told her though." He shook his head. "We only started dating, I guess that is what you would call it. I don't even know if I am supposed to introduce her as my girlfriend yet. I really do not want to scare her away. There is something so special about her, and she is choosing to share her time with me." He started to smile again. "Her name is Serena." He nodded his head.
"I met her through Andrew. I told you guys about Andrew." He cleared his throat. "Well his girlfriend Mina, that everyone swears looks like exactly like Serena, but I don't see it" He made a disgusted look. "Serena is gorgeous. Her eyes are this crystal blue color, like water. I could get lost in them for days."
He looked at the blanket, and suddenly an image of his mother flashed in his head. "Her smile and laugh for some remind me of you mom." His heart started to feel heavy. "I am not sure why, but between the two of you I feel like dad was the serious one and you were the happy one that lit up the room, just like Serena." He chuckled to himself. "She just radiates joy, I know you guys would have loved her."
He looked at a family in the far corner of the cemetery. "But don't let this bottle joy fool you guys, she is tough as nails, and can be quite fiesty."
"When I first met her, I did not know what to say or what to do. She took entered the room and it was like suddenly I forget everything. So the first thing I did..."He scratched the back of his head. "I kinda made fun of her hair. But let me explain why." He finished abruptly trying not to laugh. "They look like meatballs and then her golden locks, almost looks like spaghetti."
He leaned back, using his hands to support him. "Yeah she did not find that funny either. She almost fought me that night. Thank god Mina and her other friends were there to calm her down." He scratched his forehead. "So I guess it is an understatement that she and I got off on the wrong foot. We actually got into a few screaming matches, sometimes multiple in one night. It was actually not until like sixth time I saw her, did I finally had a civil conversation with her. Yes, I kept track of all the times I interacted with her." He look at his dad's name. "Andrew had to help me with that one. Guess we never got to the how to talk to girls conversation."
His finger started to pick at the grass.
"And you see despite all that she still forgave me. She never dismissed me. She gave me a chance, multiple actually." His heart fluttered. "I have never met someone as kind as her. Her heart is so full. Always willing to help others. And she is a teacher too!" He pointed his index finger up.
"She loves kids, and they love her. She is going to make an amazing mom one day." He just bobbed his head. "I just hope she decides to have her kids with me."
He looked at both their names. "I know... I know..." He sat up straight. "Andrew said I could be jumping the gun, but he doesn't get what she does to me. If you met her, you would know what I mean." He put his hand over his heart. "She makes me feel such a way, I can't remember the last time I felt this way."
"And her family is loving, that is probably where she gets it from. I think you all would have gotten along." He licked his lips. "She definitely got her beauty from her mom. Her dad scares me, but I get it, she is 6 years younger than me and..." He sighed. "She is really special to him."
He took in a deep breath. "It is not fair you guys never got to met her, you would have been able to see everything I get to see. I showed her a picture of you guys, and I told her the few things I remember. The nice thing is she doesn't treat me like she feels sorry for me. She still treats me normal, and she supports me. She said she can tell when I miss you."
"It was actually her idea that I come to see you. I told her I never really know what to say, and sometimes just being here reminds me of a life I lost." He explained. "But she insisted and she told me I would know what to say once I start."
He nodded to himself. "I guess she was right...She is always right, except when it comes to her singing." He jokingly rolled his eyes. "She is so bad, but she makes car rides so much more entertaining." He released a slow breath at the thought of how windy roads still make him nervous, especially on a rainy day, and how comforting it is when she holds his hand during the ride.
"What she lacks in singing, she makes up in dancing, I guess. It is amazing to me that no matter what the song she can figure out a way to move to it, and make it look so natural."
He bit the side of his bottom lip.
"She makes me so happy." He looked down at the ground. "Sometimes I catch myself feeling guilty, because I miss you guys so much, and though what I remember about you two is bits and pieces, I still feel incomplete. I miss you everyday. She just makes me feel less incomplete. If that really makes sense."
"She is everything to me, and I really do hope she feels the same way." He tubbed his hands together, looked at his watch. "I am sorry I have to go, I have class and I was hoping to see her really fast at the arcade." He smiled at the idea of pulling her into his arms. "I promise there will not be as big of a gap between my visits again. One day I hope to bring her here so you guys can see her. She will talk you ear off." He chuckled, "But I know you will love her."
He bent down, ran his hands over their name plates one more time. Blew them a kiss. Picked up his things and walked away.