away,” Scott said.
Mike looked over at the passenger side. “If I go, it will make it all real.”
“I’m sorry, but it is real, and there is nothing we can do to change it,” Scott said.
He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder. The thought of the reality seemed to send chills through his body. He started his car and went to Charlie’s house. He went up to the door and knocked. Charlie’s mom answered and gave him a teary hug.
“I’m so sorry,” said Mrs Parker.
Charlie came out. She had already been crying. They got into his car and went to the church. Their friend's wife and parents were already lined up. Mike, Charlie and Scott stood there looking. This was one of the biggest funerals any of them had ever seen. His mother saw them and beckoned them over.
“You have to sit with the family. It wouldn’t feel right if you didn’t. The three of you were like a sister and brothers to him. He would be mad if I didn’t have you close to him today.”
They got in line and walked with the family into the very large church that was just about filled to capacity. Scott took a look around the congregation and smiled. Charlie and Mike did the same. Charlie grabbed his hand and squeezed it. She needed him now more than ever. They went to the front of the church and sat down with the family.
Scott looked at Charlie and Mike and up to the pulpit and smiled and said, “I’m glad we are all here together one last time.”
Charlie began to cry.
They opened the service with a song, then the preacher walked up to the pulpit and smiled at the crowd. He looked down at the friends and family, and with tears in his eyes he began to speak.
“I’m sorry if I am not able to make it all the way through the service. I haven’t stopped crying much myself since I got the news. He was my friend. We had so much in common. Not many people know that we have the same first name. His first name is Colin as well. Colin Scott Green, but we all just called him Scott. When we were in kindergarten they called me the good Colin, because Scott was always into some mischief. Finally he decided that he would go by Scott, because that was his grandfather’s name. Scott had some news he wanted to share with everyone, but most of all with our friend Mike. Mike and I talked the day that Scott passed away. He had tried to call Scott and couldn’t get a hold of him. The news that he had was that he had given his life to Christ and he felt the peace that he never felt growing up. He was truly happy at work and at home and with his friends.”
Colin began to get choked up at this point. “He jokingly said to me a couple of weeks ago at my parent’s house that if he died before me, would I give his eulogy. I told him I would. Scott said whichever comes first, my funeral or Charlie and Mike’s wedding. He said he was so sick of those two not admitting that they were madly in love.”
Everyone in the congregation laughed and looked over at them. Charlie turned red and giggled between sobs. Mike laughed and kissed her forehead.
“Scott's favorite phrase for me and Mike whenever he saw us or we were leaving was “I love you, man.” He sincerely meant it. We will miss his warmth and smile, his personality, his determination, and perseverance. Rest assured he will be waiting for us on the other side. To his young wife, his parents and grandparents, let me say I am so sorry for your loss, but there is a new angel in God’s heavenly choir. Let us rejoice and be glad for all the time Scott shared here on earth. He is still with us in spirit.”
After the services they began to walk past the open casket. Colin, Charlie and Mike all hugged each other and suddenly felt a chill come over them as Scott put his arms around them as well. They went outside and Scott’s mom wanted to take a picture of them away from the casket. Out front it was a beautiful sunny afternoon. She took a picture of the three friends together. Despite the warmth of the day they felt a chill behind them. Mike pulled Charlie closer to keep her warm. Scott’s mom took the picture. Then she came and hugged them and kissed each one in turn. They went to the interment and Colin said some more kind words about Scott. Then they gave him back to the earth from which he came. Scott’s mom thanked Colin for doing his service. He told her to call if she needed anything. As they left the grave site, Scott waved them on. He was happy that his best friends were there for him even in the end. “Thanks for coming,” he said.
Charlie and Mike got married the following fall on Scott’s birthday. They didn’t have a best man, because with Colin officiating they felt that no one could take Scott’s place. Erica was in it and Tracy, too. The wedding party took a lot of photos while Charlie and Erica kept complaining about the chill in the air despite the unseasonably warm day. At the reception Scott’s mom got with the bride and groom and Colin and showed them the photo she had taken of them at Scott’s funeral. They could just make out the faint image of Scott, smiling beside a somber Mike. And at that moment, despite the stab of sorrow that still accompanied any mention of Scott's name, Mike had to smile. Scott, a loyal musketeer to the end, had never really left them after all.
A Ride With Friends Page 10
