by Max Vos
Matt pulled out some other papers, one of which was the will. It was also simple and straightforward. Matt and I were the sole beneficiaries, everything split equally down the middle. There was also a letter addressed to both of us. Matt opened it and started reading:
Dear Matt and Carter,
If you’re reading this it means I’m already gone. I hope that my death was quick. The last thing I’d ever want is a lingering, painful death. It isn’t that I’m afraid of pain; I just don’t want the two of you to have to endure something like that. If it was fast then I’m grateful.
Matt, I want you to know that ever since you were born you were the one thing in my life that I loved unconditionally. I’m not a religious man by any stretch of the imagination, but there was not a day that went by that I didn’t thank the powers that be for you. Not only were you the best boy growing up, but you became one hell of a man, probably more man than I was. You had the courage and conviction to stand up for what you wanted, and I give thanks for your strength in that as well. Without you, I know I would have been a very lonely and sad man. I love you, son, more than life itself, and I hope that you will find a way to have joy, like I had, for the rest of your life.
Carter, you were the son that I happened to be blessed with later in my life. The joy and brightness that you brought into my life is stronger than any star, and I love you for that. There has never been a day gone by that you didn’t make me smile and laugh. The love you gave me was a gift that I always cherished. I hope you know that.
I never thought when I first met you, when Matt and I met you, how much more you would complete us. How much you gave us without even thinking about it. With every passing year, I wondered how I was so very lucky to have such fine men in my life, men who loved me and never asked for anything in return except my love.
To you both: I want you each to know that I loved you so very much, and if there is another life after this one, I hope with all my might that I get to have you with me. Thank you for all the joy and happiness that you’ve given me.
If I were to have one last wish, it would be that the two of you continue to love and support each other for the rest of your lives. To be happy and have as much joy in your lives as you’ve given me. Please, do this for me. Do not be sad for me. I have had a long and happy life, more than any man should deserve or expect. I have been truly blessed. Take care and love each other like you always have, and I will be eternally happy.
Love always,
Your Dad, Carl.
Matt and I followed his wishes by notifying what was left of their family in Nebraska. They sent condolences, but none had the time or were able to make the trip to Indiana, not that there was any reason for them to. Matt and I had a few people from town over for drinks, and to reflect on Carl’s life. It was a night of storytelling and remembering the man that Carl was. Nothing fancy—like him.
Two weeks after his death, we got his ashes. We walked the farm, spreading ashes as we went. We stopped at certain places, remembering events that had taken place over the past thirty-plus years. When that old bull charged Matt and knocked him over the fence and Carl laughed his ass off. We spread ashes there. There was the spot where I got flogged by a rooster, it clinging to my head as I ran around in circles screaming like a girl, or so Matt said. Carl couldn’t help because he was laughing so hard. We put ashes there. When Carl fell out of the hayloft because he was laughing so hard at the two of us for doing something stupid, as we normally did. We couldn’t even remember what it was we’d done. We scattered ashes there. Matt and I spent the entire day spreading ashes and remembering our lives here, our lives with Carl and each other.
Now, I lay there with Matt in my arms, thinking how fast those thirty-odd years had passed. It seemed like only yesterday that I was twenty-four; a young naïve journalist who grudgingly met the two men that I would spend the majority of my life with. I was now fifty-four and Matt fifty-eight, and he was still as beautiful to me now as he was then.
Yes, I was sad and I felt a great loss, but I had this wonderful man still here, who loved me, who needed me and I needed him.
I lay there, looking at this beautiful creature, inside and out, and thought, Yes, Carl, we will be together for as long as we still walk this earth. And when this life is over, I look forward to going home where I know the other greatest love of my life will be there waiting for me. I’ll be home with you once again, I promise.
The End
About the Author
Max Vos is a classically trained chef with over 30 years of food service experience. After retiring in 2011, Max found himself with time on his hands and was urged to turn his talents to writing.
‘Cooking English’, a short story, was his first published work, and since then Ravenous Romance has published five more of his short stories. His novel, My Hero was a best seller and was released in French this year.
You will find everything in a Max Vos story. He can go from sweet and sexy, even raunchy, to powerful, raw and gritty — something for all tastes.
Max loves hearing from readers. You can keep up with him by reading his weekly blog posts, or his Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/max.vos
Learn more at: www.maxvos.com
Email Max at: [email protected]
More from Max Vos
If you liked Going Home, please check out these other titles from Max Vos.
My Hero
The V Unit
Inappropriate Roads: A Max Vos Anthology
P.O.W.
A Christmas Memory