I always looked up to my older brother Eric. He was continuously the quarterback, the ace pitcher and he got the cheerleader every time. As for me, I was merely his younger brother, just a tag along and yet he never treated me as such. I don't think a guy could ever have a better older brother and now here I am, sitting at his funeral.
I feel the tears start rolling down my cheeks once again and once again, I tell myself to stop it, I know Eric would not approve. I can't say I'm surprised that he's dead in his twenties, I mean if you live life on the edge as he did you take the chance of dying young. Eric was an adrenalin junkie and he always said, "The bigger the danger the bigger the rush." I guess the big difference between him and I, was he would say something like, if I make it to the top, I'll be king of the world and all I could think about was what would happen to me if I fell before I got there.
That is exactly what happened to him he did fall, and off of a small pile of rocks called Rocky Peak. Even I've climbed Rocky Peak, it's out in the north end of the valley, and it is sort of the bunny slope of rock climbing. The only reason Eric was on it was to test some new techniques he was planning to use on Half Dome later in the summer. Who knows what happened, a slip, a little carelessness, it really doesn't matter as either way he ended up dead at the bottom.
Outside the funeral home, I was waiting for the ride to the cemetery, when Julie came over to me. Julie was Eric's latest, I guess I should say last, girlfriend. As with all Eric's girls she was stunning, I know she could be on TV if she wanted. Julie had more of an athlete's body rather than curvy but she always looked hot no matter what she was wearing. I really liked her; she wasn't stuck on herself as so many pretty girls were. She had a good sense of humor and liked to laugh and she was always nice to me. She put her hand on my arm and offered condolences.
"David, I know you don't know me that well but believe me I really liked your brother and I'm going to miss him. If there is anything I can do for you just let me know."
I thanked her as I got into the hearse and told her I would see her at the burial site.
After Eric was lowered into the ground and everyone was leaving, she came over to say goodbye. I invited her to our house where some of the family and friends were to meet and share some food and stories. When she accepted, I offered to ride with her to show her the way. I hopped in her little red Miata and we sped off. She handled the car expertly and seemed unconcerned as she darted in and out of traffic going well over the speed limit. As I kept my eyes glued to the road, she chatted with me as if we were sitting in the park.
I think my mother was upset with me for inviting Julie over, as she didn't approve of most of Eric's girlfriends. The more the family ignored her, the more attention I gave and when she was ready to leave, I asked her if she would give me a ride back to my car. Once in her Miata she leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"Thanks for sticking with me; I felt a little unwanted back there."
I told her it wasn't personal and that the family never liked any of the girls Eric dated.
"Would you like to go have a drink," I asked timidly.
She said sure and I asked her where she would like to go,