5 years ago

I was sitting in the den watching tv with my siblings when we got the call. We assumed itwas our grandma telling us about her plane times the next day. She had planned to spend spring break with us. Tori and I soon realized that something was wrong. We weren't sure what but there was definately something that had happened

My dad got off the phone and we were standing there waiting. He puts the phone down and without looking up says, "Matthew got in a car accident. He didn't make it." My heart drops. I can't breath. I want to cry but I can't in front of my family. It felt like forever that I stood leaning against that chair. The moment I could move I did. I walked upstairs, shut my door and broke down.

Matt was my cousin. He was the closest one to my age so he was probably the closest relative to me. He was 17 years old and a senior in high school. He planned on joining the Navy after graduation because he enjoyed ROTC so much. My Dad was his hero because he didn't have one himself so he was almost a brother to me as well.

It was the last day of his spring break and his mom asked him to go to the store real quick. Candace his girlfriend was at their house and they told her she could stay there if she wanted till he got back because she had just had her wisdom teeth pulled. She ended up going with him. Candace was 16 and a junior. One of the sweetest girls ever.

As they were pulling out of the neighborhood two trucks came speeding down the main road. As they crossed the intersection one of them hit his mom's sebring on the driver's side. They called 911 but it was already too late. Matt was killed on impact. The truck was alledgedly going 80 miles an hour. Candace was hospitalized and after being in a coma for seven days she died of severe brain damage. Her mom blames my aunt.

I remember his viewing like it was yesterday. I walked down the aisle to where he was. He was wearing his uniform for ROTC. I couldn't hold it in. My Aunt came over and held me. I stood there sobbing into her. I felt so embarrassed for being so weak but I couldn't control myself. The next day he was buried on the Navy base. His two best friends folded his flag and presented it to his mom. She walked out holding the flag to her chest. I walked behind with my cousin's arm around me. We lost one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing that day. I keep his shin guards from soccer on my shelf in my room. He used to kick the ball around with me when I would come visit. His mom also gave me a pair of his pajama pants and a huge soccer shirt because we were about the same size he was just a little taller.

I can't understand why people like that are taken and others get to live long healthy lives but act like assholes to everyone. It's so wrong. I would do anything to reverse these days. Today and March 6. I couldn't have done much for Matt but I could have saved Nathaniel. I kick myself everyday for it. If I had just walked over to his house. If I had payed more attention to him. When they found the note I almost wanted to do the same as him but I knew that wasn't the answer. All I can do is not make that same mistake again. Too bad I don't know how to do that.

If you want to read more about the whole report here's a link.
Matthew


P.S. I'm behind you 100% whatever happens. Just don't go to jail. I'm not gonna be here to bail you out. Or better yet be there beside you so you don't get raped in jail.