written by Whipper
Lucas's Goodbye
"I'll miss you."
"I'll only be a phone call away, kid."
I almost ask him what it matters if someone is only a phone call away when the important calls never will be made? I want to tell him that things doesn't work that way. It might in movies and books, but never in real life. But instead I end up telling him that I'm not a kid anymore.
He smiles at me, just as I knew he would. Then he gives me a hard hug, whispering in my ear that I have to take good care of myself. Or else...
I smile back at him but as Ben Krieg picks up his bag and walks out that door I can't help feeling as if I've lost my best friend forever.
And Ben's.
I've never spoken at a funeral before. Certainly not at the funeral for more than 200 persons. For the entire crew of the seaQuest.
I remember the call. It came in the middle of the night. It was Katie and my first thought was that I had never seen her eyes look so sad before. She told me they were gone. Mig, Tim, Ford, the Captain... Lucas. It was all so hard to understand. I never really got the chance to talk to him again after I resigned. And now they were all dead. And all of a sudden everything was too late. It all felt so wrong. As if somebody, somewhere, had made a huge mistake.
I return to the present and look out over the people in front of me. Father and mothers, lovers and friends. All mourning the loss of some of the bravest men and women I have ever known.
I can see Lucas father standing in the back of the crowd. He looks tired, almost sick. I've never liked the man but I can't help feeling sorry for him. Holding his hand is a woman that I hope to God is Lucas' mother.
Right in front of me I can see the old crew of the seaQuest. Crocker, looking even older than his age, and Westphalen with her daughter right beside her. I see Miguel's family standing next to Tim's. I can see Katie too... My Katie, standing pale but composed in her UEO uniform. She's looking at me with her beautiful eyes and she gives me all the strength I need to begin my speech.
"As the former morale officer on the seaQuest I want nothing more than to tell all you not to give up on our friends and beloved ones. But I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't do that..."