jjay

He has always been the responsible one. The one you didn't have to worry about.
"He was a quiet child. He never complained"
Thats what they say when you ask about him. They talk about how great he was, how he sacrificed for them. He was perfect they say. The perfect child. The perfect brother.
I saw him the other day. He was sitting on the curb just staring at the cars pass by. He seemed lost, so I sat down next to him.
"Whats wrong?" I asked
He looked over at me.
"Are you ok?"
He just stared. His face was emotionless. I never knew him that well maybe he didn't recognize me.
"I went to school with you. Remember, we had English together. I sat across from you in Mrs. Tanners class."
He continued his blank gaze. I knew something was wrong. A tear rolled down his left cheek but his face was still. He reached for his jacket pocket. He pulled out a tattered piece of notebook paper and handed it to me. His hand was shaking. I read the paper. Two words, thats all that was there. Two simple words.

burden
alone

After I had read it he stood up and began walking down the street. That was the last time I saw him. It was the last time anyone saw him.