Reds

When I was about 16, I was single on Valentine's Day. I had just broken up with a guy, or more accurately, he had been seeing someone else for most of our "relationship" and I found out about it. I was upset and hurt that a lot of people I had considered to be my friends had known about the other girl and didn't tell me. So, Valentine's Day comes along and everyone was going out but I declined to join them because the ex and his new girl would be at the same party.

I was set to spend the night home alone, locked i

n my room listening to the same song on repeat and writing shitty, angsty teen poetry but my best friend Ewic had other plans for me. I was home alone, so I almost didn't even answer the door because I figured it was a neighbor looking for my parents. But, when I did, I saw Ewic holding a single red rose, a pack of Marlboro Reds, and a 6-pack of Budweiser. He said something corny like, "All my favorite Red's favorite reds."

He skipped the party to hang out with me.

I've been thinking about Ewic a lot recently. I've been going through some stuff and I really wish I could call him, he was always my first phone call when I was upset. I miss him terribly, but I'm thankful for memories like this that remind me what an awesome friend I had.