"What does it feel like to see the outside world again?" Benny wondered.
He moved a step closer to his window, wishing he could see the city the same way he did a couple of months back. But from where he stood, all he could make out were the blurry shapes of people walking in clusters and the warm glow of café lights signaling that they were open for the night. He heard the distant hum of traffic and faint echoes of laughter from passerbys, yet none of it moved him. Not until he spotted a few dogs trotting beside each other. Something in him stirred, and for the first time in weeks, he felt a small pull toward life again.
But the pull came with a sting as his mind drifted back to the moment everything shattered. Three months ago he lost his best friend, Charlie, in an accident that should never have happened. The memory was still painfully clear. The screech of the tires. Charlie’s groan of agony. The car speeding away as if their lives meant nothing. Benny had never witnessed anything so inhumane. He hoped Charlie would survive, but by the time the ambulance arrived, he had already lost too much blood. There was no accountability, no closure, just a final goodbye Benny never wanted to say.
Thinking about it again felt like reopening a wound that hadn't healed. He still struggled to fill the void Charlie’s death created, and today made that emptiness feel even heavier. It was the NBA Finals, the night they always looked forward to every year. Now he had to attend the game alone, and the weight of it filled his mind with questions.
"Will it feel the same without him?"
"Would he want me to go alone?"
"Who will scream in my ears when our team scores?"
Each question dug deeper into his grief. He wished he could turn back the hands of time and somehow save Charlie. The pain in his chest was almost unbearable and he was on the verge of blaming himself for suggesting they spend that weekend out. But he knew Charlie would never have blamed him for his death. Most importantly, he knew no one would want to see their bestfriend sit side-by-side with grief and watch their whole world shrink. So Benny pushed himself to get ready. He took a warm bath, brushed his fur until it fluffed softly, and ordered an Uber. The driver arrived quickly, and he hopped in.
The ride felt like a small hand of healing. The driver chatted about his predictions for the match, and Benny found himself responding more easily than he expected. He even caught himself smiling from ear to ear, something he hadn't been able to do in months.
"I guess this is what a smooth ride entails after all," he murmured under his breath.
They finally arrived at the arena district, and something about being there felt just right. Neon lights shimmered across storefronts, and fans hurried through the streets with excitement written across their faces. The air itself felt charged with anticipation. Cars queued toward the parking lots, inching forward slowly. While they waited in line to get a place to park their own car, Benny leaned his head out the window. A fresh breeze brushed across his face as his eyes roamed every corner. He spotted mascots marching swiftly into the arena, and his eyes lit up.
A bigger smile spread across his face when the Uber driver switched on the radio and the intro to "All of the Lights" by Kanye West began to play. It was the song Benny and Charlie always blasted on game nights. As the rhythm filled the car, Benny imagined Charlie's laughter echoing in the backseat.
"DAMN! Charlie would have loved this moment," he said softly.
The sound of their favourite song didn’t hurt the way he had feared. Instead, it felt like a sign, a warm hug from someone he missed more than anything. More than that, it felt like a reminder that hope lives in the little things.
"Maybe Charlie is trying to send me a message. Maybe he wants me to live with courage while holding his memories close. Maybe that’s all he ever wanted."
Benny’s eyes grew warmer and he felt a small spark return as he listened a little longer. The smile that spread across his face felt real. He wasn’t healed, and he wasn’t pretending to be. But tonight, as he stepped toward the NBA arena, he carried Charlie with him in a way that felt peaceful. For the first time, he didn’t feel alone. He was going to enjoy the game like his best friend was right there, sitting next to him and cheering for their favourite team.
This short story was inspired by this week's "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" image prompt. Find the full details here if you'd like to start writing with us.
PS: I'm super glad to be writing with the @freewritehouse again after encountering a writer's block that spanned a little over 3 years! This is officially my first short story since then and it means so much to me. Can't wait to write more stories from now on, and also read from friends of the freewritehouse.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!🤗