Eternal Friendship

A young child befriends the infamous Death after seeing him take his grandma's life.

As I sit across from my dear old friend, I cannot help but hurt for him. The immortal Death: the creature that has ended countless tenures on this earth now graces my presence, heart heavier than normal. I can feel it in our conversation.

He stares at me, trying to find the right words but awkwardly stumbles into his feelings.

"I'm going to miss you dearly Stetson... I've never met a human like you." Death's voice quivers with emotion. If he had an endocrine system, or even eyes for that matter, I can most definitely assume there would be tears.

"Death, do you remember when we first met?", I ask him, smiling as I stare off into the distance.

"Stetson, please. Please, don't do this. Don't just ignore it. I can't do this silently. I can't just send you away... I won't do it."

"I'll never forget how kind you were to her and how much emotion you put into taking her life. You knelt down at her bedside, your hood softly lowering into your clasped hands on the edge of her bed. You wanted to touch her so bad, to comfort her but you knew you couldn't."

"Stetson--"

I continue right past his pleas. He does not notice but this is me giving him what he seeks. This is my closure.

"I never told you this but I watched you the whole time. You sat there for nearly twenty minutes, not moving an inch. One would think the harbinger of Death might relish in that moment but your pain was obvious. I could feel it in the room."

He does not utter a single word now. He just stares at me, those illuminating beady dots of blood red shining bright through the darkness of his hood.

"The only time you felt peace was when you knew it was time to touch her. You stood up slowly, your movements methodical, almost as if you were partaking in a religious ceremony and you gave her the most tender of kisses on the cheek. I'll never forget that Death, not in this life nor the next."

There is an unforgettable silence between us as we stare at one another. A silent time lapse of the eternal friendship we have built over these past 80 years.

"I know you want me to tell you how scared I am or maybe you just want a little insight into me facing my mortality. But I am sorry Death, I won't give you anything of the sort. All I want from you is a handshake. A man to man handshake, the handshake that was owed to me when we first met on that fateful day. A handshake to solidify this friendship we have built."

He lowers his head the exact same way he did when he was mourning my great grandma's life. He sits there quietly and I let him. I let him ease his nature, his ever so peaceful nature.

"Stetson, I love you. I promise, I will find you after you die. I have never tried to find anyone I have ever taken but I promise, I will find you." he whispers softly. Shame fills his voice for the deed that is about to be done by his hands.

We both stand up from the wrought iron table. The table that has forged a relationship meant to test all of time.

"Death, you are a kind soul and I pity your role in the cycle of life. But it does not take away the honor I feel in having you watch me take my last breath."

I extend my hand to him like I have done with so many others throughout my time on this planet.

"Thank you, friend. I'll see you soon." I say as I smile at him, joyful tears filling my eyes.

Our hands meet over the table, the tea below is steaming ever so lightly as it dissipates into the morning air. I grip his hand tight, emitting as much respect and love that I can through my touch.

And now, I rest. Delivered to eternal life by my best friend.

You were never the Death I thought you would be.

You were so much more.