Up until now

Ben knew he shouldn't be here. The lights bothered his eyes and the music was too loud, but he wanted to do things with Mae.

After all, the majority of their time was taking care of that old house now. Sure, it was fun in the beginning. Painting, restoring the tiles in the bathroom. But they had to get a new hot water heater and the bathtub stayed clogged half the time, which lead to getting a new pipe.

He didn't want to think about that now. Yet being here, just made him tired.

He was thankful that Samantha would remember them.

Yet, when this fellow hugged him, and his smile so genuine. Ben drew a blank.

"Stu." He finally said. He remembered him from the photo his mother gave him. "Yeah..yeah..you're..you're Stu." Ben faked a smile, thinking maybe he could get through this, after all. "How..how have you been?"

Stu only grinned more as he slapped Ben on the back. He started talking about a comic book store they used to go too. "And its still there. They have a writer's group, too. Can you believe that?"

"Oh."

"You, made some funny stuff." Stu told him. Ben only nodded. Stu pulled him down to sit with him on the couch.

The TV was on, but no sound. An old western was playing. Ben let his eyes settle on the screen.

"What have you been up too?" Stu wanted to know.

"Um," Ben scratched the back of his head, unsure if he should tell Stu. Ben knew Stu needed to know. "I was in a coma.." He started as he looked at Stu. Ben wished he could remember him. He seemed to be an unforgettable friend.