Never has, or indeed, will a friend be as present in my life as death was throuout that unusual summer. It began with the loss of one of my classmates.

At adolescence we tend to let our worst impulses control us. Some people’s worst impulses amount to hate or even outright violence but by and large it will amount to sheer stupidity. I think if a person takes stock they would find that the most ridiculous things they’d ever done were during those awkward, formative years between 13 and 18.

At age 17, Chris demonstrated us this at the cost of his own life.

It was a wasteful, senseless way to die. He was engaged in an activity known as car surfing, no further explanation required as to what that entails. While “surfing” the person assigned with the dubious position of driver hit a pothole. Chris was flung forward off the hood of the car and would have been fine, had it not been for the panicked driver failing to brake in time. Suffice it to say, those watching learned something that day about trauma, and Chris never learned anything again.

I saw it happen and I will never forget. It wasn’t the gruesome scene that sticks with me, I think we block things like that out to a certain degree. What stuck with me was the thing nobody else saw. A tall, hooded figure.

I didn’t notice him at first but he stood of to the side of the accident head slightly bowed, as if presiding over the calamity. My heart stuttered dangerously and my skin prickled as my brain registered what I was seeing.

As if it was called by my terror, the figure looked up sharply. Under its hood was nothing but a smoky visage. But, and I can’t say how I knew this, if it had eyes they would have been locked with mine.

“Can you see me, mortal?” An oddly pleasant voice sounded in my mind. It seemed excited. Was I imagining a hopeful lilt?

Unsure of how to respond, that is, with my mind or with my voice, it spoke again.

“Hmm, yes I’m quite sure you can. Your heart gives you away. I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me. Not now.”

I decided to try thinking the words,

“

Are you what I think you are?”

“I am who you think I am.” Corrected the voice. “I must do my duty here for Chris but then, I would speak with you at length if you find such a thing agreeable.”

Overwhelmed, tears fell and I asked, “Will Chris be okay?”

“Your kind have many misconceptions about me but one comfort I have found to be true is that he will be at peace. This I promise.” These words rang in my mind with such a comforting authority that I couldn’t help but believe them. All I could do was nod.

Thus began my friendship with death. He taught me many things that summer, but mostly he taught me that I should remember him in all things. That I should cherish my life but not fear his arrival.

To aide in my budding acceptance of his inevitability, he allowed me a peak behind the vail. There, I saw misty fields with rolling hills and a sweeping, dark, wood off in the distance.

“It will differ, of course from person to person.” Death noted. “I rather enjoy your realm. And don’t be afraid, you won’t be alone, there is a meeting place that I cannot show you until you are among the dead.” He continued. “Think of this as your own haven.”

He stopped coming around the beginning of fall, noticing that I was spending more and more time with him, saying I should be among my own and enjoy life though he was loath to part with company. His was a mostly solitary existence and people like me, who could see and speak with him.

I took this summer with me though, so that as my time now approaches, I am looking forward to seeing him.