♥
♥:Your muse crying about something
She’d been there when he got the call. The call that no one ever expected or wanted to hear.
Isaac’s cheeks were pale. He didn’t speak. Downed his beer faster than she’d ever seen him bottom any glass and ordered the strongest shot of liquor the Huntsman had to offer. However, when Freddy offered him the shot, Isaac took the bottle instead and drank right from its neck.
Savannah didn’t know how to respond. What do you say to one of your closest friends when they’ve lost someone? And not just anybody. It was Bradley. His big brother. He was going to be a father too. But now, he would never be able to see his unborn child.
The next day few days, it was almost as if Isaac’s world had taken a complete turn. If Savannah didn’t know any better, she’d wonder whether or not this was some sort of Jumanji fluke that only she remembered. Isaac acted as if nothing had happened. He went about his day, hit on girls and kept his head above water. But Savannah wasn’t buying it.
The day of the funeral rolled in a few days later. Aileen, a cousin of the Thayer’s and Bradley’s best friend had given their eulogies. Everyone had expected Isaac to get on the stage, and speak of the glorious adventures he and his big brother had had. But Isaac had declined the request. No, he’d refused.
And that’s when Savannah knew his breaking point was inching closer.
The reception was in full swing. It had been a long day. A hard one. Savannah couldn’t deny that she too had shed a tear during the service. Exiting the bathroom, after having cleaned off the stains of mascara on her cheeks, she scanned the room, unable to spot Isaac.
Circling out back, she found him, sitting on one of the swings, a cigarette wedged between his lips. Sitting down on the swing adjacent to him, Savannah piped up lightheartedly, “How are you holding up?”
Isaac took a long drag, a puff of smoke escaping his lips as he looked at her with saggy eyes. Clearly, he hadn’t been sleeping well, ” — I’m fine,” he stated, but his voice was brittle. Savannah didn’t want to push him or force anything, so she didn’t protest against what she believed to be a lie.
"It was a beautiful service," she continued, sniffling a little, "the music too. Really … beautiful," Savannah sighed, staring at her black, leather shoes. Then, her head snapped up. Isaac’s face was buried away in his palms, the cigarette bud hidden between blades of grass as it fizzled towards a miserable end.
A sob. A heartbreaking sob managed to fight its way past Isaac’s lips, which he’d pressed so firmly together. This moment was inevitable. Savannah knew it would come, sooner or later. Launching herself off her swing, she wheeled over to Isaac, crouching between his legs, hands resting on his knees.
There was nothing to be said. The funny thing about their friendship was that they always understood each other perfectly. No words were needed. Gently, Savannah massaged circles against his thighs, before rising up to wrap her arms around his neck, holding him there in a tight hug, her hands now rubbing his back.
She wasn’t going anywhere. She’d be there, as long as he needed her to be.
