- “He understood that his treatments might not work before most of us were ready to accept that possibility.”
- My eyes filled again.
- “And even while he was frightened, he kept trying to make everyone around him feel less afraid.”
- Theo gently touched the red dress.
- “This wasn’t just Jack teasing me.”
- He smiled faintly.
- “Well, maybe it was partly that.”
- A few people laughed.
- “But I think he also wanted to make one last choice for himself.”
- The words struck me deeply.
- During his illness, Jack had lost control over so many ordinary things.
- School.
- His appearance.
- His appetite.
- His independence.
- Even the plans he’d made for his future.
- But he’d chosen this strange, unforgettable moment.
- A red dress.
- A ridiculous promise.
- A joke that would finally make sense months later.
- Theo looked toward the coffin one last time.
- “So this is for you, Jack.”
- He glanced down at himself.
- “And for the record, I absolutely hate wearing this thing.”
- His sister called from the back.
- “You look wonderful!”
- The chapel erupted in laughter.
- Even Daniel and I couldn’t help smiling.
- Theo shook his head.
- “Thanks, Emma.”
- Then he faced Jack’s coffin.
- “You win, buddy.”
- And stepped away from the microphone.
- After the service, people approached Theo one after another.
- Some hugged him.
- Others told him how much Jack would have loved the tribute.
- Daniel’s brother approached first, looking uncomfortable.
- “Theo, I owe you an apology.”
- Theo frowned.
- “For what?”
- “I judged you the moment you walked into the chapel. I didn’t even give you a chance to explain.”
- Theo shrugged.
- “It’s okay.”
- His uncle shook his head.
- “No, it wasn’t. I’m sorry.”
- Then he offered his hand.
- Theo shook it.
- An elderly aunt later told him she still didn’t understand why young people did half the things they did, but she thought his speech had been beautiful.
- Theo smiled.
- “Honestly, that’s fair.”
- For the first time that day, he looked almost like the cheerful boy I’d known for years.
- Later, after most guests had moved to the reception hall, I found Theo standing beside the photographs we’d displayed of Jack.
- One showed the boys at eight years old, covered in mud and grinning mischievously.
- Theo studied it quietly.
- Then he spoke.
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