The crowd of people split into two, the majority moving towards the function space, a separate building to the right of the one the ceremony was held in. The rest of us begin to make our way to the cemetery. The cemetery is conveniently located on the same grounds; sitting among beautiful gardens that are full of native Australian flora, with tall gumtrees scattered throughout. Just ahead of us, off to our right is a bench seat and sitting there is Marie, Louise and Lou-loo.

Lou barks, her tail wagging as I approach, causing Marie and Louise to whip their heads in my direction. I was expecting red puffy eyes and miserable expressions — and while it is their red eyes that greet me, miserable wouldn’t be the word I use to describe their expressions. They look like two naughty teens who have been caught around the back of the school gym. Marie slaps a hand over her mouth and Louise giggles, hiding something down to her side. Smoke begins to drift up from where they sit, floating higher with the breeze; their reaction and the smell tells me they have smoked something a little stronger than tobacco. I shake my head, a smile spreading wide across my face. Jesse will be getting a kick out of this.

Slowly, I walk further into the area and move to the front of the small group. With a steadying breath, I suppress the emotions threatening to bubble over. The celebrant steps to the side, allowing me space to say a few words. Talk straight to him, Kins. Talk to him as though no one else is around.

“Jesse. Fuck — Jess, how did we get here? It was only yesterday that I was hanging out the window of your ute, flying down dirt roads. Having dance parties in my bedroom, when you would sneak through my window.” Tilting my head back, I look to the sky, hoping to keep the tears filling my eyes at bay for just a little while longer. “You were always there, Jesse. It was always us against the world. I hope you knew how deeply my love ran for you. You were my person. You were my reason.” Looking back down, my eyes lock onto his coffin …

His coffin.