Forever

Chapter 2

April 3rd, 1973

The drive there is always long, especially in my dad's truck. But the way back is always longer. He has this specific spot he has to hunt at that's very far from home, or else he refuses to even load his hunting gun. He's always very particular about things. Especially things he enjoys.

This time he decided to let Maurice join us again, like last year. Maury caught plenty of squirrels last time, so I think my dad was pretty happy to have him again.

I sit in the middle of the two of them, my seatbelt strapped over my lap. Maurice's head is anchored on my shoulder asleep, my dad's eyes glued on the road.

All I can think about right now is the hunting shed. Last time, Maurice decided it was a good idea to hide out in there together. We sat together for a bit. He wouldn't stop teasing me, laughing so hard thinking the way I reacted was the funniest thing in the world, but being honest, humoring him is the best thing in the world. He has the brightest smile that I only see when we're alone.

But this time when he dragged me in there, it got deep. He started talking about his pa and his papa. His pa isn't the best man, I'll admit. But his papa is the death of me. There had been times I almost ran right over there and kicked his papa's bucket. But Maurice ended up running to me instead. All I could do was be there. I would kill his papa in a heartbeat if he asked me to.
But he was talking about his pa and how he wishes he were like mine. My dad ain't the best in the world, but I'll admit he's better than most. I love my dad. He's a God fearing man and loves everyone. He ain't much of a talker and more of a doer. Maurice loves my dad like he is his pa. My dad loves Maurice like he is his son. I would switch roles in a heartbeat if it meant Maurice was happy with a dad like mine, even if it meant I would suffer day and night with a pa and papa like his.
In that shed, he fell into me and I held him. We just sat in there until we knew it would be an overly suspicious amount of time. I wiped his tears with my shirt and helped him up and out, back to the woods.

I love Maurice, he's my best friend. He deserves better. Better than his pa, his papa. Better than his friends. Better than me. I wish I could give him that. But I can't. I can only be there for him.