“I’d take a bullet for you man.”  His admission startled me from my thoughts.  I had been lying on his floor staring into the dark during one of countless sleepovers at his place.  I smiled and said something lame like “I hope I could do the same.”  He didn’t say anything more and his slow breathing told me he was soon asleep.  I lay awake.  His sincerity troubled me.  He said it absolutely.  I knew he would do it if the time came.  Could I do the same?  I eventually fell into a fitful sleep, waking up the next morning not the least bit rested.

That was some three years ago, our last year of high school.  College started with plans of grandiose.  We roomed together first semester, generally annoying the hell out of each other and having a great time.  But, we started to grow apart.  I did some things he didn’t agree with and he wasn’t afraid to tell me.  He cared for me, he said.  I was his only real friend and he didn’t want me hurt, he said.  This only served to further drive the wedge between us.  

Flash forward, one year ago.  I was at a party when he showed up.  “You shouldn’t be here.”  He tugged on my shirt trying to get me to leave.  

That pushed me over the edge. I was more than a little drunk and I’d had enough, enough of him and his morals!  “Fuck you!  Just leave already!  Get the hell out of my life!”  What he did then surprised me.  

Nothing.  I expected anger or violence, but he just stood there.  Probably doesn’t know what to say, I smirked to myself in my drunken haze.  “Is that really what you want? You want me to go?” He intoned, barely above a whisper.  

I just nodded.  “I see,” he said as he turned and strode away with dreadful purpose.  That was the last night I saw him.

I guess what he said all those years ago is true.  I’ve had to live with the fact for the last twelve months of my life.  He would take a bullet for me.  But tonight I know.  I could do it for him.  Tonight I can finally lay the question to rest.  Tonight…

I’m coming!