"Hey," Ralph gently opened the screen door to step out onto the porch. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he approached his friend, who sat on the handmade bench swing in his navy blue suit.
"Hey," Felix responded, his eyes glazed over as he stared off into the distance. He scooched over a bit to let the larger man sit down beside him.
"How're you holding up?" Ralph sighed, loosening the tie around his neck ever so slightly.
Still looking away, the handyman lightly shook his head.
"The other day, before my morning coffee" he began, his voice faltering. "I thought to myself, 'I haven't talked to dad in a little while. Better call 'im; see how he's doing.'"
Felix turned, a sad smile on his red face.
"I got halfway through dialing his number when I realized…Until I remembered that he's—"
The handyman paused, tears rolling down his cheeks. He couldn't bear to say the rest.
Ralph wrapped an arm around Felix, pulling him close and comforting him through the wave of emotion.
"Thank you for coming," the smaller man sniffled. "I'd be even more of a wreck without you here."
"Anything you need, you let me know," Ralph smiled warmly, patting the handyman on the shoulder. "I think Mary's serving up some cake right now, want me to bring you a slice?"
"No," Felix took in a deep breath, standing up. "I think I'm ready to go back in. You?"
"Right behind you," Ralph opened and held the screen door into the bustling home, packed to the brim with friends and family gathered in remembrance of the well loved and sorely missed "Fix-It" Felix Sr.