The din of knife and fork and voices rang hard on the air. The room was packed, all chairs filled with friends old and new. Thirteen of them were seated about the hardwood table, the unlucky number made even by the presence of another boy lurking in the unfriendly shadows.

Over the hubble and bubble of those thirteen – over the good-natured arguments and jokes and recollections – drifted the fine tinkling of silver striking crystal. Slowly the room fell to an expectant silence.

He tapped the crystal goblet one last time before raising his eyes to meet those of every other person seated around the table. His gaze did not find the eyes of the one who lurked in the corner. He was met with smiles and nods, and a thumb's up, and a few puzzled expressions as he took his dear old time.

Finally he cleared his throat once-twice-three times before launching into a slow and melodic speech.

"Friends, Brothers, Sisters. We all know why we're here. The leaves will soon don their golden and fiery shawls, will soon leave their family tree and embark on their new journey riding the currents of the wind before coming to rest upon the cooling earth – all puns fully intended."

- A few chuckles and wry grins –

"The season of plenty and warmth has neared it's end. And to this I would like to make a toast.

"This toast goes to the dying sun we admired on a daily basis. To picnics beneath the stars, and crystalline waters beneath blue skies. I toast to dancing in the rain, hikes across green terrain, and sweet slumbers, lulled by the rhythm of an osculating fan.

"To the birds and the bees, to the toilet paper we so fondly threw, to camping in forests inhabited solely by mosquitoes. To lightning which struck many a tree, and the loss of many a shoe to groping mud holes. To huge feasts made solely of Coke, pizza and Doritos.

"These words also honour the passing of a good friend -"

… At this tears sprang into most eyes, and hands groped for tissues…

"- to unfortunate and inexcusable choices made on another's part. I toast to times had and un-had, things said and left unsaid, and to things done, and still to be done. This is to the untimely extraction of a well-loved, well-known, and all-over wonderful friend of us all. Your words and teachings and love will forever remain with us, Skeet."

Some eyes still shone with unshed tears, most – including those which still hid in the shadows – had spilled onto flushed cheeks.

"Now, however, out eyes must be set upon the future. To crisp clear mornings, to shorter days and longer nights. To food best eaten off a stick, and roasted over an open fire."

Smiles appeared through the tears-

"I salute mother Nature – how ever frustrating she chooses to be – and leave my mark engraved in the rocks of the mountain passes. Await the beauty that death reveals… And revel in it.

"Always remember the good times, and look forward to many more. So now let us drink…"

The speaker paused, gazing thoughtfully at the crystal goblet in his hand. All around cups, glasses and goblets were taken up, topped off, and poised expectantly.

"Let us drink to the season of Death. And to the rebirth it makes possible."

The roar of "Hear, Hear!" was heard blocks away, and then all heads were thrown back to swallow the nectar of their choice, before – accompanied by the clink of replaced receptacles – a slow murmur rose again.

No one noticed the figure in the corner as he beamed at his loving friends, dried his eyes, and vanished from this world. For the second time.