The boy who knew love
David’s story
David was the funniest boy you could ever meet. He would always be eager to make you laugh; it was his thing, seeing people happy and bringing joy to their lives. The magic in his character was clear to see; he had a heart of gold and the mind of a genius. We met when we were 12 years old and both at secondary school. He came up to me in assembly one day and said: “Isn’t this boring?”. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Well, I mean assembly should be like a potion that puts dogs to sleep. I’m yawning already, and we’re only 5 minutes in”, he remarked. I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard; a teacher asked me to leave the room. David and I were like chalk and cheese, complete opposites. He was the class clown, and I was more responsible and obedient. We became good friends that day and stayed close for many years after.
I got to know David well, and as time went on, he began to trust me. When we were 13, he invited me to his house for the very first time. We had to do an English assignment together, so we decided to do it at his. I remember that his house was very dark and cold. His parents were never there, and he spent most of his time alone. “Where are your mum and dad?” I asked. “Well, they both work a lot, and I never see them. I’m always alone” he said. “You mean you come home from school every day and no one is ever here?” I asked with curiosity. “I’m not completely alone. I do have a little brother, his name is Trotter, and he’s my pet parrot. If your patient enough, you will hear him say, big ass bandit, which are the only three words he repeats in a loop”, he answered with a cheeky smile. “Common let’s get on with this assignment”, he added.
Soon we were both 17 and by then were the best of friends. I was like the sister he never had. There was never anything romantic between us. The spark was never there, but we loved and cared for each other so much. We would always look out for one another. He was the boy I could say anything to, even my darkest secrets, and I knew he would take them to the grave. David was an only child and grew up without his parents love. The loneliness he felt growing up was immense. On the few occasions that he did spend time with them, it would be uncomfortable and feel forced. They were never affectionate towards him, at least not when I saw them together as a family. Despite everything, David adored them and never judged their faults. “They do the best they can”, he would say. His heart was too big for this world; he was the most beautiful person I knew. I learnt to be a better friend because of him.
We went our separate ways when the university began, he went to study up north, and I stayed down south. I promised to write to him once a week, but in between all the lectures and exams, it got to be an impossible task. He would call me often, and we would talk for hours. Sometimes he felt lonely and wanted to see me; other times, he would stay quiet and listen to me go on about everything. He told me he had met a girl and that he was falling in love. I was happy for him, although in a way I felt slightly jealous that she would take away my time with him. I didn’t think more of it and went about my routine as usual. If he was in love, I was going to support him no matter what. I genuinely cared for his happiness.
The next few months of my life were tremendously difficult. My mother’s health had suddenly deteriorated, and because of this, I decided to quit university and stay home. I spent that year helping and supporting her with everything I could. My father worked long hours, but he was always there for both of us. My mother had a degenerative disease from the time I was 15. She was my best friend and seeing her like that was awful. I decided to keep a diary and write down everything I felt, to help me process it all. I found it very comforting. I would write about what was happening and how I viewed things at that moment. It was the worst time of my life, and I felt so alone.
On a hot evening in July, there was a knock at the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, as I went to open I had a warm feeling in my heart. “Hello beautiful girl”, said a voice behind the door. “David!” I shouted in disbelief as I jumped into his arms. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, surprised. “I came to be with you. When you told me your mother wasn’t well, I had to come back and support you. How could I leave you here alone?. Never in a million years. You’re my best friend”, he told me.
I was overjoyed knowing that he was going to stay and spend time with us. I knew that he would bring so much happiness at a time when we most needed it. “I will come every morning to help you and leave in the evening. I love your mum too. She has been so nice to me over the years. I couldn’t just leave you. Plus I’m on my summer break and have nothing better to do, so like it or not; you’re stuck with me”, he said. “What about Claire? I asked. “It’s over. We broke up two weeks ago; it never worked really. She was too stuck up and bossy. Like a Queen bee, only less yellow”, he replied. We laughed as we embraced. I was so happy to see him. He became the strength that I desperately needed.
Every morning at 11, David would arrive. He would help me around the house, make tea, and help prepare lunch, then go into my mum’s room and read her favourite books. David was an avid fan of English Literature, and so was mum. Pride and Prejudice was their favourite novel, and she found David’s voice soothing. He read beautifully and acted out scenes, which made her laugh hysterically. “Mr Darcy has nothing on me. Put me in costume and my looks and charm would blow him out of the water”, he would proclaim. David gave my mum a little ray of sunshine every day, and she would look forward to all his quirky moments and silly behaviour. It helped me appreciate the simple things, and value every single moment with mum. David’s presence in the house was the best that could have happened to me in that period of my life. I kept a diary where I wrote down every feeling I was experiencing, and part of the reason I could manage to do that was David. I have never known a person capable of giving so much love and joy to others. Even though growing up, he didn’t experience love and affection in the best way; this never affected how caring he was in essence. David knew love, and he showed it any way that he could.
One evening we both sat in the garden. It was a lovely day, and we wanted to enjoy the sun. I could feel David wanted to say something as he was never this quiet. He just stared into space. “Are you ok?” I asked. He looked at me but didn’t utter a word. Then he held my hands and gently leaned his head on my shoulder. “After all this time, the only person I want to spend my time with is you. Abby, I know that you are going through a tough time at the moment, and the last thing I want to do is put more of a load on your shoulders. I just want you to know that I will be here for you no matter what. You’re the only person in this world that truly knows me, and I love and adore you. I always have”, he said. I looked at him, somewhat confused and overwhelmed. I didn’t know whether he was expressing romantic feelings for me or appreciating me as a friend. I have known David my entire life, and he always says he loves me, but this time it felt very different. There was a moment of awkward silence that was broken by my father arriving home early. Our conversation ended abruptly, and I accompanied David to the door. “Will you come tomorrow?” I asked impatiently. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world”, he said, tenderly kissing me on the cheek.
In the months leading to my mothers passing, I was a complete wreck. My whole world was crashing down in front of me, and I had no control. I felt hopeless standing in front of my mother’s pain and suffering. David was the light in my darkest days. The one that brought laughter into a house that was drowning in sadness. My mother was David’s number one fan. They laughed so much together, and his positive energy made each day more bearable. When there was silence, David would bring laughter. When there was sadness, he would bring joy. I had never known anyone in my life, capable of giving so much of their heart to make people happy. I was proud of him and felt honoured to be his friend.
On the night of September 25th, mum and I were sat on her bed watching romantic movies and having a lovely moment together. David called that evening to say goodbye because he had to return up north for a few days. We spoke about it prior, and he reassured me that he wouldn’t take long. Mum and David talked for about 40 minutes, and even though she was feeling weak that day, she couldn’t stop laughing at his jokes and silly recitals of their favourite English writers. “Abby, David is so wonderful, I have always thought that he has been in love with you all of his life”, she said while hanging up the phone. I looked at her, surprised. She had never expressed any opinion on the matter. “Oh, no, mum. You’re wrong. David loves me as a friend, and nothing more”, I replied. I didn’t want to talk about it any further as I felt quite overwhelmed already. We adored each other, but it wasn’t romantic, or so I thought.
That evening, I held mother in my arms and stayed by her side until she fell asleep. I was sad about David needing to leave for a few days. I was already missing him so much.
My mother passed away suddenly the following night on September 26. My heart couldn’t breathe; it was in so much pain. I will never forget writing the words in my diary as the tears run down my face. I don’t think I will ever feel whole again. My mum was my best friend, and the only person I could trust. Now she’s gone, and I know my life will never be the same. I wish she could have stayed forever.
I will never forget David’s face when he returned after his trip. He was in disbelief, and very affected by the news. He held me in his arms for hours and was there through all of it. “It will be ok, Abby. No matter how many times you cry, I will be here, and I will protect you”, he told me. The following weeks were a blur as all I could do was think about mum. I don’t remember many things that happened afterwards, but I do know that David never left my side.
I thank the stars for his loving heart and unconditional support. David is the boy who knew love, and he brought light to the darkest corners of my world . My life is better because of him, my best friend.
