My heart pounded as my eyes flittered around, waiting for my dad to start talking. The murmurs died down, and my dad looked over at us before he began to speak. I felt a lump in my throat as I gazed at the smallest casket.

“Today, we say goodbye to three wonderful people who were taken from us far too early: a devoted father, a loving mother, and a little boy. While many families will come together for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Everett family was torn apart by a traffic accident. It claimed the lives of Brian and Lisa Everett, and one of their twin sons, Jeff. I had met Brian in high school, and we became the best of friends. We went off to med school and soon started families. Our kids were inseparable. While we have lost three incredible people, we were spared losing the entire family. One of the twins survived. Colin.”

I sat in the first row of the church with my hand curled around Colin’s arm. My mom held his hand and my older brother Mark, had his arm stretched across my shoulders and Colin’s. I was trying to be strong for Colin. My dad told me that Colin needed me; and I promised that I would be there for him.

“As we say goodbye to Brian, Lisa, and Jeff, let’s not forget Colin. Brian and I swore that if anything ever happened to either of us, we’d watch over each other’s family. Brian, if you’re watching, we will take good care of Colin.”

I sat on the wooden bench, keeping my mouth tightly shut so that I wouldn’t cry. But when I saw my dad cry, I couldn’t hold it in.

“It’s okay, Matt,” Mark whispered as he pulled me against his shoulder.

Moments later, I felt Colin’s hand on my shoulder. I tried to wiggle out of Mark’s embrace so I could be strong for Colin, but Mark wouldn’t let go.

“It’s okay, Matt,” Mark repeated.

I leaned against my big brother for the rest of the service, but reached to my side to continue to hold onto Colin’s arm. My dad motioned for us to stand; we were pallbearers for Jeff. I walked behind Colin and my dad to Jeff’s casket. Colin and I each took the middle spot on opposite sides. My dad was in front of Colin and my brother Mark was behind him. And on my side, my oldest brother John was in front and our baseball coach was behind me. We followed the group carrying Colin’s dad and behind us a group carried his mom.

Out at the grave site, we sat down in the first row. A short distance away the three caskets were lined up. Just like my big brother did for me, I wrapped my arm across Colin’s shoulders. A prayer was said before my dad gave Colin a pat on his leg and my mother handed Colin a bouquet of flowers. Colin slowly stood and walked with my dad toward the three caskets with the flowers. His parents were to the left of his brother. As they walked toward the caskets, my mom scooted closer and wrapped her arm around me.

My dad and Colin stood centralized between Brian and Lisa for a few minutes. I kept a close eye on Colin while my dad held onto his shoulder. Colin was so brave. I didn’t think I could do what he’s having to do. I knew someday I might have to, but I’d also have my two older brothers. I felt so lucky that I still had my parents and brothers.

When my dad gave Colin’s shoulder a pat, Colin stepped forward and put his hand on his dad’s casket as he laid the bouquet of flowers on his mom’s. My mom’s cries alerted my oldest brother. John got out of his seat and sat down next to my mom and held her hand.

With his head tilted downward, I could see Colin wipe his eyes as he leaned against my dad while they walked to Jeff’s casket. My dad seemed to readjust his grip on Colin. Almost as if Colin was struggling to walk on his own. Was he okay? I sat on the edge of my seat and watched closely. Colin stepped closer to the silver box that held Jeff and he seemed to buckle in the middle, holding his stomach. When he made it to Jeff’s casket, he wrapped his arms around the end of it and rested his head on top of it, crying loudly. Even though my knees felt stiff, I stood and ran over to him. I put one arm around him and my other arm around Jeff’s silver casket before resting my head on Colin’s back.

I stopped trying to hold it in and just cried as I held onto Colin. The comforting strength from my dad’s hands soon rubbed on my back. Jeff was my best friend too. I stood up and wiped my eyes when I heard Colin’s voice.

“He’s gone, Matt. They’re all gone. My family is all gone,” he sobbed as his tears ran down his face onto Jeff’s coffin.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, gripped Colin’s arm and gently pulled him up and away from the casket and into a hug.

“I’m here. You have us and you and I are brothers too. You’re part of my family, Col. You always have been.”

We both cried and soon I felt my dad’s arms surrounding me and Colin. He held us close to him and rubbed our arms while we cried our eyes out. Eventually I was able to take a deep breath and stand up on my own. I gave Colin a nod, silently promising him that he’d never be alone.