This life keeps moving on
Gone away before too long
So tell your friends just how you feel
You'd better say it loud for the world to hear
'Cause it's getting late, it's time to go
The paper moon is fading slow
But the night, it keeps moving on
'Til it takes you in; it brings you home
While you're watching over
The moments that make up your life
It's getting late, that's the way it is
You can't deny when it feels like this
And it's strange what it's bringing out
You're gonna open up, 'cause you can't stop now
Oh, you can't stop now
It's getting late, you don't know how
You're wide awake, but you're missing out
You get your kicks while you can
Then you go to work to pay the man
While you're watching over
The moments that make up your life
It's getting late, it's getting late
It's getting late, oh yeah, it's getting late
Mark's body was cremated on Christmas Eve at the Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Omaha. His earthly remains sat prominently above the fireplace of Brad and Jeni's house until June the following year when they were transported to Santa Monica, California.
Standing there, on the edge of the pier, Brad held the urn tightly in his arms. Jake and Vallesa stood to his left, Aubrey and Daniel to his right, their daughter Marisol squirming and laughing in his arms. Jeni stood behind him, one arm wrapped around her husband's waste, the other cradling her belly where a baby boy was growing, a namesake to Mark, while Carolyn stood in front and stepped up on one of the pier's wooden railings.
"Are you ready, baby?" Brad asked.
"Yeah," his daughter said with a smile.
"Okay." He removed the lid and placed the urn in Carolyn's tiny little hands. "Be careful, baby."
"Now Daddy?"
"Now baby."
She tilted the urn slightly, slowing pouring the ashes out. A gust of wind came up from behind them and took Mark away. Drifting farther out into the ocean. The ashes seemed to tango in the warm California sky. The eight of them watched as their best friend sailed away and out of sight.
"Did I do good, Daddy?"
"Yes you did, baby. I'm very proud of you."
They stayed a while longer, watching as the sun set before them, turning the sky a rainbow of magnificent colors.
Daniel dug out his knife and began carving into the railing.
"You crying, daddy?" Carolyn asked.
"I'm okay, honey,'' Brad responded with a small smile on his face.
"Farewell, friend," Jake said.
"Until we meet again," Daniel added, flipping his blade shut.
They stood in silence as the sun disappeared out of sight. Jeni squeezed her husband a little tighter, indicating it was probably time to go. Brad nodded, a tear rolling down his face. "See you again, brother," he said softly then bent down to his kiss daughter on the head.
''You happy now, Daddy?''
''Yes, baby, I'm happy now,'' Brad responded, looking down at the freshly carved railing. Dug deep into the moist wood, for all time, was their calling card. It read: Mark, Daniel, Brad and Jake Made It.
Thank you to all my friends and family for the support you always give me. Your love and kind words mean more to me than you'll ever know.
Extra special thanks to:
Julie & McClane, Mom & Dad, Joe –Tina &Greg, Lisa, Eric Duhart for the awesome cover,
Melissa, Leslie, Summer, Mike, Elson, Gail,
Xavier, Amanda, Eli & Jeni.
Thanks for all the help!
And to Lily and Loki:
Please stop barking.
K, thanks.
This book is also dedicated to Adam Yauch, who, throughout most of my life, provided me with inspiration, refuge and damn great tunes. You are a legend, good sir, and will be missed.
#RIPMCA
Also by Grant Fieldgrove:
Darkness Once More
A Touch of Danger
Stroke of Genius
He is at home in Bakersfield, CA
currently juggling the writing of at least
three new novels, including the latest
entry to his Archie series.
You can follow him on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/darknessoncemore
Twitter
@Grant_Fieldgrove
And Instagram at:
Grant_Fieldgrove
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