Mourning Fictional Characters…

So the strangest thing happened. Apparently Keanu Reeves was visiting a close friend of mine – a distant relative of his. Since he was a newcomer to this fair city, and friendless, she asked me to meet Keanu and show him around a little. I obliged.

As per our arrangement, he met me right on time — if not earlier. Through the glass doors I could see a certain sadness in his eyes, a yearning. Somehow he was hoping for some human affection, something to take away his deeply-rooted melancholy. He was looking to me for comfort. And seeing his pain, I so desperately wanted to give that to him. On the inside, he reminded me of that famous Edvard Munch painting. On the surface, he struck me as somewhat awkward, a smaller man in a taller body. A gentle giant. When he’d speak, he had just a tad too much expression in his booming voice. When he’d laugh, he would linger just a little too long. He’d stand a little too close. Still, I felt a strong sense of empathy towards him and whatever I was doi…