Tim stays for a couple of days in the hospital, permitted to leave only to attend Sean’s funeral. None of his colleagues in the theater, including him, manages to hold back tears. Sean had been loved by everybody, and Tim can’t stop feeling guilty—Sean had loved him but he’d never returned the feeling.
Tim lets his house be used for the gathering after the funeral. All his friends and their families are present. Brent and Dan come, too. His manager finds him and hugs him long and tight.
“We will never forget him, son. That kid, he was always so quirky and fun.”
That is true about Sean. He had always made his presence felt.
“And you, you come back to the theater anytime you’re ready. Just so you know, we and the audience miss you.”
Tim nods, sighing quietly. He has wanted to return to
