Chapter thirty one

Jay and Nathan held hands under the table that they shared with five other people whilst one of Tom's relatives drunkenly told a story about how Tom ran into a glass door which scared him on his face. Everyone let out a laugh and took a sip of their drinks, even Jay and Nathan let out a chuckle.

The bartenders and owner of the pub that held Tom's wake walked over to Tom's mum and said how sorry they were for her loss. Despite Jay's brave face he was enjoying the night, he liked hearing Tom's childhood stories and at some pictures that they passed round.

"Is Tom here?" Jay whispered into Nathan's ear so no one else but Nathan could hear.

Nathan looked around the room to find Tom but there was no sign, "No, I can't see him."

Jay took a sip from his diet coke, "I'd like to think that he's in a better place"

Jay imagined Tom somewhere peaceful with lots of greenery, no noise from traffic or people just somewhere tranquil where you could be alone.

"I'm sure he is" Nathan told Jay also imagining a calm and peaceful place where Tom was.

Max walked over to where Nathan and Jay sat and decided he would sit with them as he didn't really know anyone else there well except Siva and Tom's mum.

"Room for a little one?" Max asked. Jay nodded and moved up a bit so Max could sit down.

"Remember when we were kids Jay?" Max asked, "when we had no care in the world and we believed we would all live forever?" Jay closed his eyes and smiled.

It was summer and Max, Tom, Siva and Jay were at the park playing catch in the field whilst their dads watched them and the mothers had a gossip. When the four boys got tired of catch they decided to play a game of tag.

"You can't get me! You can't get me!" Jay childishly chanted to Max - who was on - while he sticking out his tongue.

Max shook his head and stopped chasing Siva and started chasing after Jay. Jay ran all the way to where his mum was sat and hid behind her, this was way before Jay was diagnosed and Jay's mum and dad weren't as busy.

Max laughed, "I can see you!"

Jay stayed quiet, still behind his mum he knew there was no point as Max had found him but maybe after a while Max would chase after someone eels which is exactly what Max did.

After 20 minutes of playing tag the four boys soon grew tired and lay down on the grass, looking up at the blue sky.

"I want to live foreveerrrrrr!" Tom shouted and the other three boys laughed.

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

"Me four!" All four boys giggled.

"Yeah I remember" Jay told Max, a smile still on his face from the memory.

It seemed so ironic how Tom wanted to live forever and here they were 15 years later at Tom's funeral. Nathan stayed quiet whilst Jay and Max talked about the 'good old days' as Max had put it.

Max looked to Nathan, "Nathan could I have a word with you?"

"Sure" Max nodded towards the front door and Nathan nodded.

"Will you be alright here?" Nathan asked Jay and Jay nodded.

Nathan got up and followed Max outside, "what is it you want to talk about?"

Max put his hands in his pockets and lent against the wall, "Jay"

"What about him?"

"I like him," Max stated, "and I know you like him too"

Nathan looked at Max confused, is this what Max had made home come outside for?

"Which is why I'm going to let you be with him and I'm not going to interfere as I know he likes you more but if you hurt him or even leave him for whatever reason I will go to Jay you understand?"

Nathan glared at Max, "I understand"

"You better!" Max warned.

Nathan watched Max walk back into the pub, Nathan was worried but not because of Max's threat no because Nathan knew that someday he was going to unintentionally hurt Jay and he really didn't want that to happen. It was only time would tell if Max's threat would become a reality.

written by @nicely_mcguiness.