The Story Of Brandon

When I was in grade 9, I became stage manager of the junior play at my high school and during rehearsals; I got to know the cast and crew. Every year, the same group of actors came back to be in the plays. We would hang out in the theatre, either rehearsing or doing set design. There was one cast member named Brandon, who I began to take a liking to because he had talent. Acting was easy for him and as time went on I didn't know he would have such an impact on me in the years that I knew him. He was the guy that people went to for a laugh. He was friends with everyone.

During the 4 years that I was friends with him, I would never thought he would leave a place in my heart like the way he did. He touched so many hearts and I’m glad that I was one of them. He was always cracking jokes. You never saw him without a smile. I was looking forward to seeing him at lunch because I knew that he was going to say some comment just to get a smile out of you. No matter how stupid he looked, he did it anyway. It was who he was.

All that changed when I was in grade 12. Like every morning, I walked to school. I was 30 seconds away from school property. I waiting at the intersection when I saw

an ambulance race through the lights. I knew Brandon lived in the area, but I didn't think the ambulance was for him.

Later that day, we were informed in a letter that a student got hit by a car. I was hoping that whoever it was, they were going to be alright. It wasn't until that night when I found it was Brandon. I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I also found out who the driver was.

I remember meeting up with a few friends at Dairy Queen. We sat there talking about Brandon. We got an ice cream cake. We ate it while we reminisced and hoped that he would be alright.

The next day when I was getting ready for school. I had logged into a website called nexopia. It was facebook back in the day. It was there where I learnt the truth; Brandon had passed away the night before. It was online where I learnt about the extend of his injuries. He had a head injury, lung and kidney damage, a torn aorta, broken arms and legs and a broken pelvis.

It didn't hit me until I walked into the school that morning; right away I felt everyone's pain. And I wasn't able to give him one last hug or a smile and a laugh. All I could do was stand there in silence and think about the memories.

A bunch of us skipped school that day. All we wanted to do was be there for each other. There was one friend that a couple of us went to go get from class. We knew she could use some support. As soon as she knew we were there, she got up and made her way towards us. By the time she got to the door, she was in tears. She knew we were there for Brandon.

I remember the moment I broke the news to my parents. It was that one phone call when it became a reality. Before I said anything, I began to cry, but thru the tears, I told my mom, “Brandon died last night”. She asked if I wanted to come home, I said I wanted to stay. I wanted to be with the people who knew him.

His dad came to the school that afternoon. We all gathered around the flagpole, remembering him. Everyone placed a flower down by his picture. I stood there in silence. I stared at the ground. I couldn't bare to look up. If I saw someone crying, I knew I was going to start to cry. All I could do was listen to a father talk about his son.

Last time I talked to Brandon was the day before at lunch. He was selling DVDs of him and his friends doing stupid stuff. I kept meaning to buy one off of him so I asked him “$5, right?”. He said “Yup.” I never did get a chance to buy copy from him.

Brandon and I walked the same route home from school. Every day, I would see him with his headphones, we would smile and nod, knowing that tomorrow was another day of hanging out at lunch, cracking jokes.

The driver of the vehicle was a friend of my brother's. I've met him in passing a couple of times. If the driver got scared and took off, I would have been angry with him, but since he had stayed with Brandon until paramedics arrived gave me some relief knowing that Brandon wasn't alone.

He was over at the house shortly after the accident. My mom pulls me aside and asks me. "Do you want me to ask him to leave?" I said. "No, its fine. I forgive him. It was an accident."

We only knew each other for 4 years, but within those 4 years, you left a place in my heart. I saw potential in you and knew that you would have had the world in the palm of your hand. I know that we didn’t know each other that well, but we bonded over our love for theatre and we created memories in the plays we were part of. It was an honour performing on stage with you.

I wish we had more time in getting to know each other, but in the years I did know you, you left a mark on me and the people around you. There would have been so many things you could have done in this world. You would have created so many things and with who you were as a person changed it in a way nobody would have thought possible.

Thank you for the memories I hold dear to my heart. I know there’s a piece missing since you’ve been gone. You are forever young. Never take life for granted. Live life to the fullest and cherish everything and anything. I wish I had more time to know you better, but I know your always with me. I miss you and think of you often.

Rest In Peace, my friend.

Brandon.

July 29, 1989 - Februray 1, 2006.