September 2006

"I know we haven't talked for awhile, and I'm sorry I couldn't come see you sooner. It's just been hard." He started.

"The Station is running well, I can't have asked for anything better, except for when you were here. I'm happy again, I think."

"I want to ask you something, and please don't laugh too hard, but I need to say it out loud to actually believe it sometimes."

"Did you love me? I think you did, and I think I'll continue remembering our story that way. But I just want to have your… permission."

He sighed heavily, struggling for words, but continued with a slightly cracked voice. "I also restarted the arcade. I didn't consider it for a long time, because I felt like having the complete package, the Station, the arcade, all of our friends, would just feel empty without you. I knew where they were stored the whole time, don't tell Billy please, but I just needed to heal before I went and got them back. I loved you for so long that I'm afraid that I won't be able to do this without your support. I need you to give me a sign right here, right now if this is something that I shouldn't do. Please."

It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and the sun felt warm on his face. The cemetery was empty except for him and the sea of concrete headstones. Nothing happened, except for a gentle breeze blowing past him and lifting his hair slightly.

He gave a small smile. "Thanks." He said deeply. He turned to leave, letting his hand slide off the stone.

As he was walking away he heard something familiar, it was like a little train whistle. He turned back curiously, but saw nothing except her headstone glimmering in the sunlight. It was a happy sound, and he could have sworn that he had heard it several times before in the past. It filled him with the nostalgia of the Station and the way it was before, and the hope that the future of it brought to him.

He felt happy, and that's all there was left to say.