Part 4:

5 years removed from high school, 8 years after she passed, I had a dream. It was a vivid, clear dream of my old friend Erika. Nothing was said and nothing happened. She simply looked at me as if we were face-to-face, but hers faded in and out like a candle was flickering in front of her. It was a single event that seemed to last for hours and yet it was probably a dream that lasted but a few seconds before I awakened. I don't often remember my dreams when I wake up, but this time I did. I remember opening my eyes as I felt something strike me deeply in my waking moments. I don't often retain my dreams long after I've woken up, but this time a longing stuck with me in the days that followed.

I dug up some artifacts from high school, a school newspaper that was published after Erika’s passing and also my sophomore yearbook. The newspaper was old and yellowed from time but in good shape for being packed away for nearly a decade. I opened it and read each of the touching articles and poetry written for Erika. I opened the latter and found tributes in ads bought in Erika’s memory by her friends. Typed across the top was her birthday and I realized that it was quickly approaching. Though I hadn’t drawn anything of importance in years, I felt compelled to start and finish the sketch she had asked me to draw so long ago and find her. The school newspaper led me to the Chapel of the Roses which led me to where she is. After the long journey I finally found her, paid my respects and then decided that the family should keep her gift and traveled to Moreau to ask the Principal to pass it along.