Michael

Do you remember when I was having a bad day, and after school, you called your mom and she talked to me on the phone just to tell me she thought my Converses were awesome and for me not to listen to what everyone else said?

Do you remember when my Pappaw forgot to pick me up from school, and you stayed with me till he got there?


Do you remember how you'd always make me laugh by telling me good morning when it was afternoon?

Do you remember when we first met during a choir practice?

Do you remember me telling you to comb your hair before prom?

Do you remember sitting in Mrs. Lusardo's classroom playing the guitar for me and a couple other girls?

Do you remember me giving you hugs after school?

Do you remember me talking to you in the holding area before school?

Do you remember explaining to me why you wore ties with polos and tee's under chapel shirts?

I remember all of that.

But most of all, I remember how you saved my life.

It was just another crappy, depressing day. It was afternoon, but I can't recall what time. It was in my 9th grade year, and I was walking out the door from one building to the other one. I had just come from Mrs. Randolph's class and was going towards the gym. I stopped in the breezeway. I had one foot on the bottom of the railing with my hands on top of it. I was looking down at the brick floor below, calculating how far the drop would be, how hard I'd hit, not knowing if it'd kill me, but I hoped it be quick. Painless. Simple. I was second's away from dropping my bags, climbing onto the railing and jumping head first. I was second's away from ending the crappy life I lived and was trying to escape from. A life where I felt alone, dark, unwanted, useless. Second's away from my last chapter of life, I heard those simple, sweet, and insane words. "Good Morning!" I stopped. Turned and looked at you. And smiled. The first time I had smiled in forever. The first time I felt loved and cared about in a long time.

I remember stepping away from the railing. Responding to you in some sort, and going on to my next class.

I remember thanking you silently, for saving my life.

I remember the last day of school. I knew I wouldn't be coming back. I knew I wouldn't see you for a long time.

I remember not being able to find you.

I remember not being able to tell you goodbye.

I remember thinking that I owed you a hug.

I remember abandoning you.

I remember regretting that.

You never let me forget that I owe you a hug.

I'll never forget how you saved my life.

Do you remember?