Chapter 31
Three Months Later...
He walked over to his spot, getting ready to receive the torch. He looked over to see his Mom and Dad waving proudly at him and he waved back. Everything was set up just as it was back in Utah, he'd even seen some of people from his group. The others were scattered around, he hoped to see more before he left.
He was doing a lot better. It'd been a long three months, but he'd gotten back into his old routine and life was pretty much the same. Though he'd tried like he promised himself that night three years ago to forget, but he'd been right. He hadn't forgotten her. Not a day went by that he didn't think of her.
Howie often wondered how she was doing. He'd been content in dreaming about her and remembering all the things they'd done. Forgetting was impossible he'd quickly learned and that was ok. He realized he was happy to remember, she'd always be with him in some way.
Turning he saw Kevin come towards him and he smiled proudly. Once Kevin arrived, Howie shook his hand and took the torch, turning and started to jog along, waving at people on the sidelines. He saw a lot of BSB signs and a lot of fans cheering him on and he waved wildly. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching but to no avail. He couldn't help but look, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe she'd be there. He couldn't hide the disappointment when he realized that she wasn't.
He kept going, waving and smiling. He thought of his sister and raised the torch higher, smiling wider. It was because of her that he was able to do this and he'd never forget. Even though she was gone, she was still giving him gifts and touching his life. He vowed he wouldn't rest until they found a cure.
As he came up to the end of his lap he held the torch out to the next person, slowing down and shaking his hand, handing the torch over. He continued to wave, walking over to the beverage stand when he stilled. The crowd seemed to part and there she was.
