At a large table in private area at Cafe Bijou, 20 people celebrated Ira and Michael's 20th Anniversary. The wine glasses were filled and clanking. The food was delicious and abundant. The toasts ranged from inspiring to knee slapping.
Michael stood up with his glass raised. "I have loved, fought, laughed, and cried with this man. He is the love of my life." Ira just sat there smiling with tears rolling down his face. It was rare for Michael to verbalize his feelings in private, let alone in front of 18 friends.
When they got home, they snuggled lovingly while Barbra Streisand's "People" played on the CD player.
The phone rang and Michael picked up it up. "Hi Robyn, hows everyone?" The was some silence followed by "I am so sorry ... When is the funeral?" Ira watched nervously. At the end of the phone call, "David was killed in Iraq, the body will be in Chicago at the end of the week for the funeral." "Oh my God! I will book our flights in the morning."
It was impossible to think about their 20 years together when Michael's sister Robyn lost her husband after only 8 years. Michael just sobbed as Ira held him strongly.
Michael held on to his sister and her 7 year old daughter Samantha. It was a military funeral and the American Flag was draped over David's coffin. At the end of the service, Robin was handed the folded flag. Tears ran down her face as her expression remained stoic. All David's parents could do is hold each other, for there is no greater loss than one of a child, no matter at what age.
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