I look closer at the girl. I don't recognize her at first; must be my disconnection from this world affecting me. I've been here too long. I've nearly forgotten the pain from my own funeral. 

I try to console my new neighbor. "I understand. But believe me; funeral attendance is overrated. I remember now my own funeral. There were so many people crying over my corpse. But more than half of them didn't bother even trying to help me before I ended things. And, seeing the faces of those who actually did try; seeing their pain that I knew I caused; I wish they hadn't shown up."

The girl has obviously been listening, as she hasn't made a sound while I spoke. But then she looks at me. And I finally recognize her, and I become worried. She's the girl who I loved. But she's also the girl who put me out, "like the burning end of a midnight cigarette," as the song goes. She broke my heart, and I drank myself to death, in my vain attempt to forget her. 

No wonder I didn't recognize her right away; I've spent years trying to forget her so that I can move on. Now she's here, with me, for only Heaven knows how long. I'll never be able to forget her now that she's HERE! I'm doomed!

She wipes her tears and just looks at me. Then her expression changes, and she walks towards me. "Well, now I'm glad I didn't attend yours. I regretted it for years. But, now that I know how you felt, I'm glad I didn't cause you more pain."

She didn't cause me more pain? My non-corporeal behind! But, she draws closer, looking so remorseful that I can't help but simply stay put. 

"I'm so sorry. I never should have left you. I never should have made you go. It was the worst mistake I ever made! I hope you can forgive me!"

And now she's crying again. Looks like I'm the worst. No, wait! She's telling me that SHE'S the worst! And I loved her! I still love her! I literally couldn't bear to live without her! I couldn't "move on" without her! Now here we are, together again, and I'm just going to stand here silent!? Absolutely NOT!

"Don't cry! Please! We're together again! And that's enough. There, there." 

Now I'm crying, too. All the memories I tried to bury here under this tree; they're all coming back to me, like old friends that I thought were long gone, returning again with their comforts.

We stand there, hugging each other for what feels like an eternity. In fact, it very well could have been. Eventually, we looked at each other. Finally reunited, with the wrongs set right, we were ready to move on. And when the door opened, we went through together, vowing to each other that whatever may come, this time we will go through it side-by-side, hands held tight.