The Gentleman I knew

They stood with him yet keeping a measured respectful distance. They watched him closely with the admiration of friendship and love.
Their faces some craggy and old as his, others at least two generations younger. The years between them had no judgement on this circle of friends. Not now or in any other time, they would have followed him anywhere should he have asked, led where needed and now in his twilight driven him from one land to another.

Especially for this request a most solemn one for all and more so for him.

He a veteran of a war never forgotten now old as the last of its veteran's, they watched his face crack and crease. His brow furrow the already deep wrinkles of time.

How long they stood they didn't count or glance. It was cold and the wind bit close but it was not the fierce gale that wet his eyes. Not the fear of what was left but the agony of loss and grief that still racked his soul. His tears fell silently and his chest sobbed gently as if his energy and manner would not support.

He had asked them bring him here perhaps for the last time ever to be by her side once again.

His dearest wife had died fifteen years ago and his heart still broke everyday that his eyes opened without her.

Of her he spoke rarely as it was always so raw, but when he had the pictures he painted of her beauty were so affecting that you could appreciate their love for each other.

They stood a while longer and then he muttered under his breath one more time.

Trying not to hear but begging too for the wind to carry the words he turned towards them head hung low.

He caught Billy by the arm and said "Better get going Billy we'll catch a chill"

When they recited the tale at later time I felt I had to ask.

What had he said those last few words?

Billy grew sad and bit down on his hard lip. A man of few words of emotion repied.

He looked me deeply in the eyes as if I were to understand an old man's loss, love and surrender.

He had looked into her grave where he heart should have lay and muttered the words that still break me in two...

"move over love I've had enough"