With a friend I’ve become so close to—as if we’d been best friends for years…

#nana56b


Lines from the story

Back then, I was a bit jaded, riding my
bike to look cool.

Listening to rock music, rebelling against
my parents and society...

That's when I met him, the same age as
me...

We became friends through our shared love
of bikes, bonding like we'd been best
friends for years.

We'd ride our bikes around late into the
night, heading home just as the neon lights
faded. That was our daily routine.

“This is the real deal,” he'd say, acting
all cool even though he didn't know the
taste of alcohol, and we'd drink bourbon
together.

It was fun. Just plain fun.

I foolishly believed days like these would
last forever.

About a year after we met, I heard he and
his girlfriend were expecting a baby.

Even though it wasn't my own, I was so happy
I almost cried.

“We're getting married in the spring,”
she told me, her face flushing.

Even though it wasn't about me, I felt on
top of the world.

It was late winter, just starting to warm
up.

You suddenly passed away. Apparently, you
messed up on your bike.

You were the one who rode better than me...
I couldn't believe it.

Seeing you in that hospital bed, your face
was peaceful, like you were just sleeping.

Strangely, I didn't cry in front of you. I
cried my eyes out later, though.

Eight years have passed since then. I ended
up in this job as an SE, which isn't really
my style.

I've even come to appreciate the taste of
that Wild Turkey we used to drink together.

Your kid's in elementary school now. Looks
just like you.

I'm getting married this fall too. My
fiancée's cute. Pretty good, huh?

When I hear the exhaust note of that
air-cooled four-cylinder bike in town, the
same one you rode...

Even now, it makes me think of you...

Sorry for being such a crybaby.

I want to see you one more time.