“Can I ask you something? A favor?” He stopped for a second before steeling himself. “You don’t have to, but, ugh, I don’t want to do it on my own.”
“Of course. Anything. What is it?” I couldn’t voice it out loud, but I would do anything he needed me to do if there were a chance it would erase that look on his face.
“The memorial service for my parents is this weekend at the Sanctuary of Cape Espichel. It’s where Mom and Dad were married.” He turned back to look at his apartment.
“I know. I’m going with my aunt. Your grandmother told us a couple of weeks ago and said she’d take us there and that your mom would like it too. Is that okay? Or was it something else you wanted to ask?”
“That service is more for my family here because they weren’t at the service I held in New York. That was only a small service for me, Max, and a few family members and some of Mom and Dad’s work friends.” He looked at me again, his expression telling me how important this request was for him.
I held his hands in mine, hoping it would reassure him.
He released a sigh and carried on. “I had planned to go to the Sanctuary before the service and scatter some of the ashes on my own. It will be the last chance I’ll have to be with them, except now I don’t think I can do it on my own. Will you... um... will you come with me, David? Please?” He looked uncertain “I mean, you don’t have to, but—”
“I will,” I cut him off. “Of course I’ll go with you. I’m honored you asked.”
Joel’s shoulders sagged with relief, and I took that moment to do what I’d wanted to do since this afternoon. I pulled him into my arms and held him tight. Nothing in my life had ever felt so right.
