space rocks

“Hello, Stacy, I’m glad to see you and the kids had a safe trip.  I’ll walk you in.”  She steps forward and hugs the chubby beautiful brunette woman.

 

 

“Thank you.  Nathan?”  The woman turns around to search for her son who is trailing a few steps behind her.  He stares up into the sky and almost bumps into you.

 

Nathan… the young man that called you yesterday.  I’ve never seen such a handsome face, you think to yourself.  He looks at you and smiles politely.  His dark brown eyes warms you with a feeling of belonging.  He holds his hand out to you to greet you.  Your hand vanishes in his big manly hand and he lets your hand linger in his. 

 

“Charlie, right?” He looks at you and smiles in amusement.

 

You imagine yourself putting both your hands in his.  Surprised by own little day-dream you take your hand away awkwardly. He steps closer and places his hand on your arm and you notice the sadness in his eyes for the first time. 

 

“I’m glad you made it back.” He said squeezing your arm lightly. He places his hand under your elbow and points towards the building where the procession will be held. “Would you sit by me?”

 

He has a leather armband on with a cross and the inscription:  ‘What side are you on?’ printed on it.  

“My father gave this to me.  It used to be his.”  He takes it and pushes it forward so that you could see it better. 

 

“It looks really good on you…” you say blushing and start walking with him to the chairs.

 He keeps guiding you by the arm and looks over to you in amusement as you blush when he smiles at you.  You look towards the front and see a photo of Professor Scott.  You feel a tear run down your cheek.  He takes your hand and squeezes it softly.  Your feel your heart contract in pain.  If I tell him what happened he will never want to get to know me. I can never talk to him again. He reminds me of his father too much.  The funeral begins with a man playing on an electric piano.  A tall pastor in a grey suit walks to the pulpit with his shoulders upright.  You and Nathan turn to look at each other every few seconds.  He is perfect, you think to yourself.  You wish he would wrap his arms around you to take the pain of guilt away.

 

“There are only two types of men in this world.  Saved men and lost men.  Matthew Henry Scot was of the former.  He wasn’t afraid of death, he did not fear the unknown.  He came to me before this mission and told me that he might not make it back.  But that his soul will be waiting for each of you at the Father’s throne.  That he longs that each of you should have the same faith that he did.  That none of you should be the latter kind of man.  That you all would meet him in heaven.  He was a faithful follower of Christ.  He fought the good fight.  And in his last act, he sacrificed himself, to save many.  Echoing and depicting the message of Christ into history, his greatest whish fulfilled.” The Pastor leans forward and looks towards the large photo of Professor Scot next to him.  He closes his Bible and lowers his head in a moment of silence.

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Who let this guy talk?  Probably a lot of people out there wishing they knew this was coming.  Good for Professor Scot, this is great, you would’ve loved this.  Yeah, you probably put this in his will, didn’t you?   You look over at Nathan, who is now clenching his hands together.  He reaches for the leather strap and squeezes his wrist. He leans towards you and whispers in your ear.  

 

“This is exactly what my father wanted his funeral to be like.” He says and as he sees your shoulders sag and reaches for your hand.   His mother is sitting next to him and looks to you with compassion. 

 

You take your hand away from his awkwardly.  I can’t let myself fall for you.  You will hate me if you know what I did. 

He slowly moves his hand away and folds his arms.  You lower your head and let your hair fall to the side to hide your sad expression.  You keep hoping that he would take your hand again and tell you everything will be okay.  But he sits frozen.

 

  When the service ends he stands up without saying a word to you and goes to talk to the preacher.  Doctor Penner walks to you as you leave for your residence.

 

“Man, kid, that was a stupid thing to do.  That is probably the only man alive that can challenge you in the intelligence factor.  Maybe even smarter than his dad.  He is principled, and good looking.  Not a mix you find easily.  Kid, I know love at first sight when I see it. Why did you turn him down like that?”  She placed her hand on your shoulder and squeezed it gently.

 

“He’ll hate me if he knew what I did.  You can’t really love someone you don’t know everything about.”  You turn to her with a heavy sigh.

 

“Don’t be stupid, look at you being all mopey.  Get yourself together, kid.  What are you even talking about, what happened out there wasn’t anybody’s fault.  And even if he does blame you for whatever reason you think he would, he’s a good kid.  In no time he will understand things better, and forgive you.”  She stops in her tracks and pulls you to a stop.

 

“Yes, maybe, but I never will.”  You say gently pulling your arm from her hand and walking away.

 

You walk back to your residence without looking at anyone.  You try to forget about Nathan but you can still feel his hand holding yours.  It is better this way, you think, I have to go back to South Africa soon in any way.