Epitaph
Part 2
Elena Ridgeway
The Funeral
California
Everyone had flown out to California for Sam's
burial. It wasn't actually a burial. Sam had stated
he would prefer to be cremated, his ashes thrown into
the warm waters of the Pacific. He had loved to sail
off the coast. A plaque with his epitaph (which
Toby and Josh had chosen) would be placed in John
Marshall Park. Sam's mother cried as she read it,
his father looked away and gave a sharp nod of his
head. No one else would see it until it was unveiled.
After the Secret Service gave them the go ahead, the
President and his entourage silently filed onto the
boat which would take them to Sam's final resting
place. All walked onto the front deck. Zoey kept a
tight grip on Charlie's hand. Leo held Mallory
against his shoulder as she wept. CJ and Toby stood
beside each other, eyes fixed upon the glistening
water. Josh seemed as if he were in a trance, while
Donna stood behind him, rubbing his shoulders. The
First Lady was comforting Cathy as Ainsley stood
nearby. The President, for once, was quiet as he
stood with Sam's bereaved parents. No one knew what
to say, or how to act. The past few days had been
rough on everyone. The press had been all over the
story and some followed the motorcade out to the docks
before being chased of by Secret Service. Everyone
was glad: Sam deserved a quiet ceremony.
After half and hour the boat stopped. Sam's mother
cleared her throat.
"I want to thank you all for being here during this
difficult time. My husband and I appreciate your
support. Sam was proud to work with all of you.
Thank you." Her eyes welled up with tears as she
looked at the urn in her hands, then she willingly
accepted her husband's embrace. The loss of their son
took precedence over any marital problems they
suffered from. Toby saw Mr. Seaborn nod his head,
then began to address the mourners.
"Josh Lyman and I have been racking our brains this
week to figure out what we could possibly say about
Sam Seaborn. We argued, and we fought. What do we
want to remember about Sam? It's different for every
one of us. Maybe it was the way he smiled." Toby gave
a quick glance toward Mallory. "Maybe it was his
youthful energy." He gave a slight nod towards Charlie
and Zoey. "The way he joked around with you" He gave
Donna a quick smile, "the way he made you angry," he
grinned at Leo, "the way he made you feel welcome," he
gestured at Ainsley. "Maybe it was how he was
willing to help you out," Toby fixated his gaze on CJ,
" or how he would do something little to let you know
you were appreciated." His eyes turned to Cathy. "Sam
was the best friend," Toby continued as he nodded at
Josh, "best son," as he motioned at Sam's parents,
"and best deputy." He pulled a small rubber ball
from his pocket, and squeezed it in his hand before
continuing. "Most of all, Sam was always willing to
serve at the pleasure of the President. He loved
writing, and he loved to speak vicariously through the
most powerful man in America." Toby gave a pointed
look at the President. "Sam didn't regret a single
thing he had done. Don't regret not doing something
or not saying something now. It's pointless. Just
don't forget Sam Seaborn. Thank you." Toby surveyed
the people around him, and noticed most were crying.
A small tear seemed to be trickling down his face. A
finger gently wiped it away, and he found CJ beside
him, giving his hand a squeeze.
Sam's mother walked back into the ship and returned
with a portable CD player, which she set on the deck.
Cathy pushed the play button.
When the dark wood fell before me
Mrs. Seaborn made her way to the front of the ship.
And all the paths were overgrown
She clutched the urn tightly against her chest,
unwilling to let him go just yet.
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
Her husband gently touched her shoulder to let her
know it was all right.
I tilled the sorrows of stone
And then gave her a hug to let her know she was not
alone.
I did not believe because I could not see
Together the held the urn out over the water.
Though you came to me in the night
And whispered a prayer under their breath for their
son.
When the dawn seemed forever lost
Slowly they tilted the urn sideways.
You showed me your love in the light of the stars
And watched as he reached his final resting place.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Mrs. Seaborn thought about Sam when he was a child.
Cast your soul to the sea
Mr. Seaborn thought about all the e-mails he would
never receive.
When the dark night seems endless
Then both of them began to sob
Please remember me
As the final realization hit: Sam would never come
back.
Then the mountain rose before me
The President embraced his wife
By the deep well of desire
As she recited a prayer.
From the fountain of forgiveness
Ainsley silently asked for forgiveness for all the
times she angered him
Beyond the ice and fire
While Cathy stood beside her in shock.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Donna thought about the joke she never got to tell
him.
Cast your soul to the sea
Charlie nodded his head in deep admiration.
When the dark night seems endless
Zoey clutched his hand and prayed.
Please remember me
Mallory recalled his smile and his voice as tears ran
down her cheeks.
Though we share this humble path, alone
CJ clutched her necklace.
How fragile is the heart
Leo thought about all the inane trivia Sam knew that
reminded him of the President.
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
Josh thought about the conversations they had
To touch the face of the stars
Toby gave the rubber ball one final squeeze before he
let it roll into the ocean.
Breathe life into this feeble heart
The boat began to move again
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Everyone silently looked at each other
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
And grasped hands.
We'll rise above these earthly cares
Mrs. Seaborn said amen, and they let go.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Everyone looked at the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
As the boat docked.
When the dark night seems endless
They gathered their things
Please remember me
As they exited the boat.
Please remember me
And they thought about Sam.
Two weeks later, they were the first people to see the
plaque.
Samuel Norman Seaborn
1968-2001
White House Deputy Communications Director
1998-2001
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have
ever done;
it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have
ever known."
-Charles Dickens
The epitaph is from Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities
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