“Or, remember that one time I left Mr. Teddy on the carousel at the Fall Carnival?” Mason asked, peering up at his dad.

“Oh do I? We were halfway home and you realized you didn’t have Mr. Teddy and started having a panic attack. I got off at the nearest exit and turned back towards the carnival.”

“Yea, and then when we got there , they were closed. There was one security guard and he wouldn’t let us back in. Remember what you did next Dad?” Mason asked.

His father left out a laugh. Mason had always loved his dads laugh, it was hearty and you could really feel his amusement.

“We went back in the car, I looked at you, and you had so much snot coming out of your nose and your eyes were all puffy from crying. I knew I had to get Mr. Teddy back for you.” Mason’s dad looked off into the distance, reminiscently.

“Next thing I knew you were telling me to stay in the car and that’d you be right back and then you jumped the fence!” Mason was now laughing.

“Yup! But that poor security guard chased me all around the carnival, but at least we got Mr. Teddy back, right?”

Mason was still laughing, but his laughter soon turned into a sob.

“Mason, what’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe you’re leaving!” Mason exclaims.

“I know, neither can I, but I have to go, son.”

“No, you don’t. This isn’t a work trip, you don’t have to. I-“ Mason turns away, choking back another sob.

Feeling his fathers hand on his shoulder, he turned to face him.

“I don’t want you to go…”

“I know, I know. But, now that I’m gone, I need you to look after your mom, and your sister Suzy. Alright, can you do that?”

Sniffling, Mason nodded.

“And remember Mason, it’s not a goodbye, it’s a- ”

“ - see you later” Mason whispered finishing his dads phrase.

When he looked back up to face his father, he was gone and all that was left was his father’s grave.