What You Say When There’s Nothing To Say

A couple of hours ago I came off the phone to a friend I’d not seen in too long. He told me that someone we’d gone to school with died a couple of weeks ago. A heart attack. I don’t know anything else of the circumstances and probably shouldn’t as it’s none of my business.

And I’ll not pretend that we were particularly close. We weren’t. We were friends when I was, oh, I don’t know, fifteen. We shared similar interests (girls, Star Wars, music, smoking cigarettes) and we got along ok, despite actually fighting once (I was never a fighter, it didn’t last long). For a while we were friends.

I don’t think I’ve spoken to him or heard what he’s been up to since I left school way back in 1997, but I’ll always remember him as a good lad. And hearing of his passing – and at such a stupidly young age – makes me really, really sad.

And I think that’s it. I’m not sure that there’s anything else I can say. But I’m glad I said something.

[Added – I remember he really liked this. So here it is.]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj75Arhq5ho]

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nikperring

Nik Perring is a short story writer, author, teacher of writing, and editor from the UK. His stories have been published widely all over the world. His books include the widely celebrated Not So Perfect (Roastbooks 2010), A Book of Beautiful Words; and Beautiful Trees; and he co-wrote Freaks!(TFP/HarperCollins, 2012).

8 thoughts on “What You Say When There’s Nothing To Say”

  1. Likewise, I have nothing to say in reply (“sorry for your loss” doesn’t sound appropriate), but I understand how you feel.

  2. This is one of those occasions when I’m thankful I *don’t* know how you feel. Your friend clearly had great taste – both in music and friends. I think it’s lovely you have some memories of your time together, many forget and are forgotten. I feel sad, scared, empty for you. Not that that helps. Maybe we will all have one of those ‘cherish every second’ moments today, even in passing. Hang in there xxx

  3. Nik – If it’s any consolation, a few evenings ago I heard that a fellow writer had passed away. She was around the same age as me and I was stunned. I had asked innocently where was Liz? (As I knew she was an infrequent visitor to group.) The response bought me up short. I didn’t know what to say except why didn’t any one mention it, but then I had to recall that I’ve been out of action and circulation for a bit so I’d miss the general announcement. But it does make you stop and think.
    Kay

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