He'd cried.
He'd wanted to scream.
But he'd hidden those feelings because he thought we couldn't survive hearing them.
Caleb lowered the letter.
Then looked at us.
“He didn't want you to know because he was worried about you.”
David bent forward, covering his face.
And I realized how much pain can hide behind the words I'm okay.
Caleb stood behind the microphone while the room remained silent.
Then he looked toward Ethan's photograph.
“I should probably explain the dress.”
His voice was steadier now.
“Ethan and I had been friends since second grade. We did almost everything together.”
A few people smiled.
“He was the smart one. I was the idiot who agreed to things before thinking.”
A quiet laugh moved through the chapel.
Caleb continued.
“When we were eleven, Ethan dared me to sing the school anthem during lunch. I did it. The principal gave me detention.”
Another small laugh.
