Pablo and Pockets grew up together. They were the same age, went to the same school, and shared the same teacher for years. They were the best of friends. If you saw one of them, the other one was not too far away. They ran track and played football together. Lunchtime, they ate together and laughed at the same jokes. Now, they are older, and their friendship slowly drifted away. No more walking to school together.
Pablo started hanging around his new friends of his own race. They didn’t do things like him and Pockets used to do.
Pablo started smoking and saying bad words and was acting like he knew everything. Pockets was hurt by the way his best friend was hurting himself and not even knowing it. He tried to talk to Pablo. But, there was no getting through to him. So he realized that he can’t change his friend’s mind. So their friendship ended. But, even though their friendship is gone. The memories are still there.
Years went by, Pockets heard a knocking on the door. Pockets answered the door. And there stood a big shadow at the door. As the shadow came closer to the light. It was an older Pablo with a beard, saying, “Don’t you remember me?” The voice was a little deeper. “Pablo? Is that you?” Pockets ran to hug Pablo. But, Pablo pushed Pockets away from him. “You have no reason to do this, Pockets,” Pablo said.
“All these years, I thought that our friendship was too weak and made for kids only. I thought that I was a man with my new friends. Smoking and drinking and doing the unmentionable.” “I have noticed, Pockets, that you have never changed your ways! You are still the same and how I used to be. I miss that. Not for nothing, those are some good things to look back on.
“Then one day, I realized that I am wasting my life away. I really missed the kiddie stuff that we used to do together. We would always do things together as brothers. I am sorry, Pockets, for treating you less than a friend.” “I hope that you can and will forgive me.”
“Yes, of course, Pablo, we will always be friends.” Pockets looked overwhelmed with Pablo’s words as Pablo began to cry.
Pablo became very ill and was admitted to the hospital. When he fell asleep that night and had never woken up. Pockets cried so much for his friend Pablo. He asked God to keep him safe up there in Heaven. Still hearing Pablo’s childlike voice. “Tag, you’re it! His laughter and the smiles that he used to wear.
“I am going to miss you, Pablo!” None of Pablo’s new friends came to visit him when he was in the hospital. Only Pockets was there for him.”
