To Be Remembered By

I was sitting in the car with my best friend when the email came in. Jordan was singing on the top of his lungs to his favorite song. Our windows were rolled down and my long hair was flying everywhere as we drove down the country road.

It felt like a scene from a movie, moments before something life-changing.

I glanced at the email before I reached to turn off the radio. Jordan kept singing even after the radio was off. Apparently, even without music, he will keep singing until the song is over. 

Once his song was over, he gave me a sideways glance and asked, “How was my singing? Were you impressed?”

That was his stupid question he always asked whenever he finished his own solo act, by now it was practically his catchphrase. To which I would always reply, “It was better than yesterday.”

He gave a slight nod, still keeping his eyes on the road, “Why did you turn off the radio? Was it too loud for you?”

I rolled up my window, “It was not too loud. Our school just sent us the email with the questions we need to fill out for graduation.” As I said that, Jordan rolled up his window as well. 

“Oh.” 

I know Jordan does not like to think about graduation. He is scared we won't be friends anymore after we graduate, since I already picked a college out of state, and he is taking a gap year to work and earn more money. If I’m being honest, I’m scared we won’t be friends anymore either. 

I continued talking, “You answer the questions and I will write them down for you.” He gave me a slight nod and I continued, “First question: What was your favorite class and why?”

He took a moment before answering. “My favorite class was probably my Sophomore English class because our teacher, Mr. Rimmer, always made class interesting and he helped me grow our theater program.” Jordan stopped the car at the stop sign and turned to me. “You know, without Mr. Rimmer our theater program would have ended that year.”

“Really?” I responded, “Good thing I came half way through the school year and he asked me to join then. Did I single-handedly save the program?”

Jordan snorted, “It was more of a group effort, I would say.” He looked around to see if any cars were coming before he moved the car, then stopped. “Do you want to drive? I will fill out my questions when I get home, I’m getting tired.”

I was not sure if he said he was tired because he didn’t want to drive or because he didn’t want to answer the questions anymore. But without saying anything we got out of the car and switched places.

I continued driving to the convenience store while Jordan asked me the rest of the questions. 

“Second question,” He started, “How do you want to be remembered after you graduate?” 

I had thought about this question before. Nobody wants to be forgotten after they leave, everybody wants to have a legacy. I don’t want to be forgotten after I leave; I want people to think of me when they see something, anything.

“Yellow,” I replied.

Jordan gave me a look. “What?”

I smiled at him. “I want people to see the color yellow and think of me.” I felt stupid but happy. “Or when they think of me I want them to see me as yellow.”

“Like, you have liver disease?” He questioned.

I gave him a light punch on his arm. “Not like that.”

“Then like what?”

“Like the color yellow.” 

As we pulled into the parking lot, Jordan asked what I had meant by that.

“Well,” I started, “yellow represents happiness, and I want others to remember that I was a cheerful person. And I’m pretty sure yellow is scientifically proven to make others happy as well.”

“But nobody likes the color yellow.” Jordan stated that “fact” as he opened the door to the convenience store for me.

As I walked into the store, I headed straight to the ICEE machine in the corner of the store, I told him I liked the color yellow.

Jordan followed close behind me. “Do you really like the color yellow?” he asked, “I never see you wear anything yellow, or mention the color before.”

“Just because I have not mentioned the color yellow before does not mean I don't like the color,” I stated as I filled my ICEE cup up with cherry slush.

Jordan grabbed a cup. “So,” He started, “you want to be remembered by something you don’t even talk about.”

“Ok then, what do you want to be remembered by?” I asked angrily.

“I want people to remember me as a creative, awe-inspiring actor, who was never afraid to put himself out on stage!” He exclaimed.

I laughed. “Yeah, as someone who was never afraid to go on stage, except that time you threw up before the show due to your nerves.”

“Shut up, that was one time.” He chuckled at that memory. “And everyone has probably forgotten about that by now.”

While I went over to the candy aisle, Jordan wrote his answer down on the form, then he ran to meet up with me again. 

When he caught up to me, he asked me again why I wanted to be remembered as the color yellow.

“I think yellow is a happy color,” I started, “Yellow is bright, cheerful, it reminds me of the sun… and flowers.”

“You sound unsure of yourself there”

“I just can't think on the spot,” I replied as we made our way to the checkout counter. 

I don’t know why it was so difficult for me to think about it all of a sudden. Maybe I did not have an answer to begin with.

We paid for our snacks and drinks, then headed back to the car. As I got into the car, I saw Jordan go and pick something up.

He brought back a dandelion and then handed it to me. 

“What is that?” I asked.

“It is a dandelion and its yellow.” He responded.

Questioning him, I told him that I knew that but why?

Jordan gave me a smirk. “You said you wanted to be remembered as yellow, even though you are not sure why yet. Dandelions are yellow and you remind me of them.” He started the car. 

“I remind you of a weed?” I questioned.

“Yep!” He responded with zero hesitation. “You remind me of a weed because no matter what I do I can’t get rid of you.”

His response took me off guard for a second, then I laughed. “What? You can’t be serious.”

“I am. And even though you are leaving for college this fall, I know we are still going to stay friends.” 

“That's so sweet,” I told him, “cheesy but sweet.”

“I know you know that I’m nervous for what is next in our lives after graduation, but I know things will work out.”

“Things will work out,” I reassured him. “Now I’m going to write “yellow” down for my answer.” 

“Sounds good.” He told me. “Now are you ready to leave?”

“Yep! I’m ready.” 

I tucked the dandelion behind my ear as we headed off. I am going to miss this place, this town, the people, but I’m ready for what is next.