| It's So Hard to Say Goodbye By: Reber The rusted metal gate swung open, refreshing the wounds that I had buried a long while ago. It shouldn't have to be this way... I stooped down at the first stone, grinning at the thoughts my very first playmate. Chaotzu was perhaps one of my best friends, too. He and I used to have sleepovers and play tag in my backyard. He was the perfect size for a boy to run around with and to throw water balloons at girls. It shouldn't have to be this way... *How do I say goodbye to what we had? The good times that made us laugh Outweigh the bad.* Gently, I placed a yellow rose on his stone, my throat contracting already. Dammit, I promised myself I wouldn't cry. I looked up and blinked, glad that these were only memorial stones and that they were up in heaven, watching over me. Tien... How could I forget my babysitter? He used to make smores and hot chocolate for me and Chaotzu, tucking us in afterwards and assuring us that lightning could not go into houses. If we had been good the entire day, we would get some of his best stories. Otherwise, he would walk out and leave us to talk. I then set a crimson rose on his stone, listening as the wind gently blew through the trees. It shouldn't have to be this way... *I thought we'd get to see forever But forever's gone away It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.* Krillin... Man, there was one cool guy. He had a driver's license, so on boring days, we would hang out at the mall and drive around town, talking. He always bought me an ice cream cone for breakfast, and we thought we were pretty sneaky because Mom never found out. Until when he picked me up one morning and Mom hollered for me to get her a pint of chocolate-chip. Moms are like that, I guess. My first years I was spoiled rotten, and then everything was wrenched away. I swallowed hard, blinking some dust out that caused my eyes to tear. A light blue one for him. Mom always grows the best kind of roses, colorful and proud. I inhaled the scent as I glanced out to the west, noting that thunderheads were building in the distance. Yamcha's stone had fallen over, but I soon righted it and placed a light red rose on top. He and I used to have the ultimate water fights, hoses and all. It would always end by someone pushing the other one into the pool. Sometimes, if I got lucky, I got to push him in. But it usually went the other way around. He was funny and cool, and it hurt like hell to have him gone. It shouldn't have to be this way... *I don't know where this road Is going to lead All I know is where we've been And what we've been through.* Piccolo... Now there was a true warrior. He was the so-called Demon Prince, but every day I'd go and see him in the forest. We talked and trained, and every day I'd hug him goodbye. Come to think of it, the day he had been killed was the day he actually hugged me. I guess he knew what was coming, and when I turned and walked away, I got the shock of my life. He told me that he was proud of me. This was truly my family. No roses for him, because he would shun this sappy stuff to the next side of hell. His name on the stone is blurring, and that dust must really be picking up. My eyes are watering more and more. It shouldn't have to be this way... *If we get to see tomorrow I hope it's worth all the wait It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.* Gohan... I wanted to throw up as I fell down next to his stone, my attempts at not crying unsuccessful. He had been my savior and friend. It wasn't fair that it had to happen to him! It hurt so bad to remember him lying in the rain, taken from me. I should've been there with him, protecting the earth. Tears streamed down my face, splashing upon his peach rose. I can't... I just can't say goodbye to my best friend. It shouldn't have to be this way... *And I'll take with me the memories To be my sunshine after the rain It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.* Goku... I would've never known him unless I went back. I was lucky, because he showed me how to be truly strong. I wasn't showing his kind of strength at the moment, burying my head in my hands and sobbing. This pain is almost unbearable, yet I know that tomorrow is another day of putting the pieces back together. I placed the lavender rose on his stone, wanting the DragonBalls back more than ever. It shouldn't have to be this way... *And I'll take with me the memories To be my sunshine after the rain It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.* I stopped at the last grave and knelt down, maintaining my composure. I absent-mindedly brushed the leaves off of his stone. He was proud, yet I always knew that behind the mask, he loved me. He just chose not to show it. I finally understood my father, and I loved him for who he was. Not who he should've been. He had different ways of showing his love for his son, and I'm glad that I never once gave up on him, always showing him the respect that he truly deserved. I was oblivious to the fact that is was now cold and raining. I didn't feel a thing as I got up and placed a white rose on his stone, trembling. A new river of tears started up, mixing in with the rain. After I had paid my respects to my fallen comrades, I walked away, closing the rusted gate behind me. It will always be this way... *And I'll take with me the memories To be my sunshine after the rain It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.* |