I remember it well. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was shocked to see him at The Edge that night. It had been eight years since I last saw him. Aaron Smith…that name was all too familiar name. Aaron was a friend in high school and my date to the Homecoming dance during my Junior year. We were just friends, but the memory of him was enough to make me smile. A warm feeling came over me as I studied him from across the bar. I smiled to myself when I saw him on the stage. He stood tall with his short, dark hair slicked back and his thin rim glasses sparkling in the light of the stage. He still had the same goofy grin that he had back in high school. I crossed my arms and tilted my head to the side as he began singing "Brown Eyed Girl" I couldn't help but chuckle as the lame karaoke version of the song filled the bar. I shook my head and sighed, wondering if he even remembered me. It had been eight years since we last saw each other, but he still looked the same to me and that was a memory that filled my heart with happiness.

I wandered over to the bar and got a refill on my drink. As I was patiently waiting for my change, I looked to my left and there he was standing next to me. He saw me and looked at me with that same goofy smile. He moved closer with obvious intoxication and held out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Aaron," he said.

I smiled and took his hand in mine. "I know," I replied with a smirk.

Aaron stared at me in confusion and stepped back to look at me. I could almost visualize the wheels of his brain turning; trying to place how I would know him. I smiled and laughed out loud.

"We met in high school," I continued.


He stared at me blankly, still trying to remember our previous acquaintance.


"We both were friends with Brian...we tried out for cheerleading together...you took me to the Homecoming dance and none of our friends had money to buy dinner."

It was like a light bulb went off in his head as his eyes widened with realization. Aaron quickly put down his drink and hugged me tight.

"Oh, my God! How are you?" he replied with delight. He pulled me back and stared me in the eyes. "I'm so sorry...I didn't recognize you...you look so...so different!"

I laughed and hugged him again. It was nice to see an old friend. There was an instant connection between us. It was like we started back up where left off eight years ago. Immediately, Aaron sat down on the stool beside me and we began chatting about old friends from school, life experiences, and finally leading up to the present time. He had explained to me how he left for the Army and how his injury had brought him back home. I told him about my adventures in NYC and how 9/11 caused me to move back to Missouri. We both stared at each other in solitude, knowing that we were brought together by some strange force. Aaron gave me his phone number and told me that we should never lose touch again. I agreed and put his number safely in my purse.


After that night, we saw each other at The Edge every Wednesday night. Aaron and I had become so close that it was almost like we could read each other's minds. One night, I came to the bar, as usual, and he looked at me and immediately asked me what was wrong. I was hesitant at first, but then I couldn't help but spill my emotions when I looked into those familiar green eyes. I began to sob and explain to him how miserable I was. I was contemplating suicide because nothing in my life was going right. My boss was giving me hell on my management skills, my lover left me, my two roommates were running up bills and not giving me the money to pay them. I was trapped in a hole and I couldn't get out.


"I have a bottle of pills in my bathroom," I explained.


"What are you planning to do with them?" he asked gently.


"Make myself disappear." I said in almost a whisper.


Aaron took me into his arms and held me close. The scent of his Axe body spray drifted to my nose as I embraced him. He kissed the top of my head and asked one question.


"Why would you want to disappear when you have me around?"


I couldn't answer that question, which almost scared me. I backed away from him and stared at him for a moment. Aaron didn't say a word…he cupped his hands around my face and kissed me gently on the lips. I don't know why, but this moment alone made all my thoughts of dying vanish into thin air. I no longer wanted to die because I couldn't picture myself without him…or him without me. His friendship was worth more than any death wish. I couldn't let myself die knowing that someone loved me as much as he did.


Where is my friendship with Aaron now? He's still the best friend I ever had. He is my soul mate…my better half. He gives me more love than any lover could ever give…he is my number one. I'm not a religious person, but I think our friendship was a sign from God. He sent Aaron back into my life to save me from myself. When I think about what might've happened if hadn't come back into my life, I can't say if I'd still be alive to tell this story. I am glad to have him in my life and I hope that we will always be best friends.