Icy blue eyes looked out through unkempt brown hair, as their owner made his way into the deeper, emptier, portion of the graveyard, where hardly any of the light reached from where the other visitors were. They were looking for the one he had come here to meet, with a picnic basket in his hands. After a few more minutes of searching, a voice called out, “You’re late Shawn. Over here.” The brunet started slightly, but turned toward the voice with a smile. There, perched on the edge of a lone tombstone, sat a blonde haired young man with green eyes. “Sorry Michal,” Shawn said, turning a little red. “I got a little lost.” Hopping down from the tombstone, the blonde walked up to Shawn and gave him a hug. “I’m glad you could make it.” Letting him go, he looped his arm with Shawn’s and led him over to the tombstone, eyeing the picnic basket as they walked. When they got to the grave, he sat down and patted the ground beside him. “So what did you bring?” he asked as Shawn sat down as well. Smiling, Shawn opened the picnic basket and began to remove Tupperware containers, saying, “Only your favorites.” Michal’s face brightened as he smiled. “You didn’t.” he said, reaching for the first container. Opening it, he looked inside and let out an almost girlish squeal. “You did,” he said, removing a chocolate covered strawberry and putting it in his mouth. He chewed it, a moan of happiness escaping his lips while Shawn finished unpacking the basket and set up some candles around and on top of the tombstone, then lit them to give more light, filling the area around the solitary gravesite with a warm glow. Michal was about to take another chocolate covered strawberry when Shawn handed him a different container and saying, “Can’t you hold off on the sweets until after dinner?” Michal smiled sheepishly, but nodded. Looking into the container in his hands, he grinned as he took out the piece of fried chicken and took a bite, while Shawn did the same with his own piece. After a few bites, Michal licked the grease from his lips and said, “Mmm, this is good. Make sure to tell your mom I said thanks.” “I will,” Shawn said, nodding. Reaching for a different container, he asked, “Would you like some mashed potatoes and gravy?” “Of course,” Michal said with a nod, and then held out his container. As Shawn scooped some in and handed him a fork he asked, “Did you bring anything to drink?” “I sure did,” Shawn said, handing him a bottle of tea. “Thanks,” Michal said, twisting off the cap and taking a swig. They then continued to eat in silence, broken only by Shawn offering more food, and Michal’s replies. Finally, all that was left were the chocolate covered strawberries. Michal sat back against the side of the tombstone and began to eat them, while Shawn took out a flute from the basket and began to play a soft and gentle tune, that carried across the graveyard, all the way to the more lit and populated areas. As the tune reached the people there, there was just the briefest of pauses before the revelries continued at their normal pace. After a few minutes of playing, Shawn glanced up and noticed a vendor approaching. “Candy skull for you and your friend?” he asked in a nasal voice. Shawn looked to Michal, who grinned and nodded. “Two please,” Shawn said fishing out and handing the man a few dollars. “It must be lonely out here by your selves,” the man said. “But pay me no mind. Have a pleasant evening.” He then turned and walked back toward the festivities. “We will,” Shawn called to the man’s retreating back, then turned back to Michal and handed him one of the skulls. As they nibbled on the treats, Shawn asked, “Michal, what’s it like? O-on the other side, I mean.” Michal sighed and shook his head. “I can’t tell you Shawn. I’m not allowed.” Shawn nodded continuing to nibble at the skull. After about a minute of silence, Michal said, “But I can say this, it’s more beautiful than any place I’ve ever seen.” “Really?” Shawn asked, a glimmer of hope shinning in his eyes. “Truly,” Michal replied, smiling as he placed his hand on Shawn’s knee. Tears coming to his eyes, Shawn pulled Michal into a hug and held him for several minutes. Finally, with great reluctance, Shawn let the blonde go and dried his tears. Glancing to the sky and seeing it begin to lighten, Michal said, “I have to go soon Shawn.” “I’m scared Michal,” Shawn said, turning his flute in his hands. “Don’t be,” Michal said. “Everything will turnout all right. I promise.” Looking up, Shawn nodded and said, “Alright. I’ll try to be brave.” “That’s my boy,” Michal said, looking up at the sky once more. “It’s almost dawn now,” he added in a gentle tone. “I have to go now.” “Alright,” Shawn said as they stood up. “Good bye,” he said, giving Michal another hug. “Good bye,” Michal said, squeezing him gently. “Till we meet again.” Slipping from Shawn’s arms, he walked toward a stand of trees and vanished beneath the branches. Drying his last few tears, Shawn put the Tupperware containers back into the basket and blew out the candles. Removing a slim box from within the basket, he opened and removed a single rose, and placed it at the base of the tombstone. Straightening up and dusting off his pants, he picked up the basket and walked back to the entrance of the graveyard, where a white van was waiting for him. Accepting a hand in, he closed the door and the van drove off as the first rays of morning crossed the graveyard and fell upon a lonely tombstone with a single rose and several extinguished candles. “Michal Smith,” it read. “Born Sept. 23, 1993, Died, Oct. 15, 2008. Loving son, devoted friend, he will be missed.” And not far from that tombstone, in a stand of trees, green eyes watched as the van pulled away. “Good bye Shawn,” Michal said as the eyes began to fade in the light. “I’ll see you soon.” Five days later, Michal’s tombstone was joined by another. “Shawn Mars,” it read. “Born June 8, 1993, died Nov. 7, 2008. Loyal son, diligent friend, he fought his cancer bravely till the end.” The End