We Grew Up on This Street

This prose is written in memory of Brittany Locke. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 30th, 2018. Beloved.

I grew up on this street. I stand here as the memories still haunt me. We used to play and scream. Little ones could be so mean... and some grew up to still be. We grew up on this street, that's the place we would meet. A hideout from the world, a safe place to be. We used to think that things weren't so deep as we played tag on this street. I don't want to go back in time, but I would since it's the place you would be.

We went to a school that looked like a prison, where the teachers gave us no wisdom. They told us to sit and stay... barely allowed to play. They told us what to wear and our opinions they would tear. Only spoke if allowed, patiently waiting with our hands up. This school we all went to. It was never good enough.

The boys we would kiss, now we reminisce. I didn't think I would be looking back at this. At the parties, we would drink... and sometimes too much. The next day we would meet, here on this street. Sometimes to compete, and I'm so sorry about this... but sometimes for not nice things... and I'm so sorry that the important things are what I couldn't see. I couldn't see through the mist. The mist of my own self-doubt, the mist of my own hate, the mist of my own self-importance and the mist of fate. We should have been a team. Once a team of four... but now a team of three. Only if... they would still team up with me.

We grew up on this street. A life so bittersweet.

Then we all went to a bigger school, you walked around... as I pretended I didn't know you. I'm sorry I was too scared. There your little sister grew. She wanted to be just like you. People knew your name, you were always out for fun. I heard lots of bad things, but you were never one to gossip. You grew to be still, so beautiful and elegant. I can't imagine what thoughts... you would have on this.

In memory of the beloved. You were too great to die that young.

She was always the first to invite people to the party. She took jokes against her the best... I'm sorry I jumped out of your closet. She wore the boldest lipstick, never cared what people thought of her. It looked like so much fun to be you, I wonder if you ever thought that. The best die young. There were four of us then... now one is deceased. Her memory still haunts me.

At least now I know you are resting in peace.

You deserve the best and I hope it finds you. Please.

Until we meet again in the next life.

In Memory of Brittany Locke. Beloved.

"Locke, Brittany Leigh Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. Beloved daughter of Kathleen and Peter. Loving sister to Taylor. Brittany’s presence and love will be missed deeply by both the Thompson and Locke families." - Memorial