The Pain of Loss

"Justin, it's time."

"A few more minutes, Mom."

"Sure, Sweetheart, take all the time you need."

The mortician and his assistant entered the salon to close the lid on the coffin. The long drive to the cemetery would begin soon. Justin looked down at the once handsome face, now ravaged by time and cancer. The tall figure in the slick mahogany box was once his hero. A fallen hero. Justin tried and tried but it was fruitless. In the end, they could never really come to terms. And now he was gone.

At fifty-two, Justin remained a highly sought after and popular artist. He guest lectured at PIFA and was known for his charitable work. Justin Taylor was able to celebrate a number of successes; for him, this was his greatest failure.

Before the lid was secured, Justin placed a gentle kiss to the man's forehead then slipped a picture of himself holding a three year old Briana into the breast pocket. Tears slipped down Justin's face as a set of strong arms wrapped around him, drawing him in.

"Goodbye, Craig."

"You ready, Sonny Boy?"

"Yeah."

"He loved you, Justin. Somewhere down deep, he loved you."

"I know. I'm ready now."

"Then let's go together."

"Together."

With hands clasped, Brian and Justin walked out.

End-snippet #2

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