Jonathan is my best friend. When I started my job at Food City, I was so confused. Jonathan was my helper. He showed me how to pack bags. Put the cans on the bottom. Put the eggs on top. Put the pie by itself in a bag.

Jonathan showed me how to bring in the carts. He got in front. I got in back. We pushed the buggies together. We had fun doing that. He teased me and I teased him. We laughed a lot. In the winter we put on gloves and jackets. One time I fell down. He helped me up and I was all right. What I like best is parking the buggie cars. It’s like driving a car. Jonathan said take it slow and be careful. He told me to help Martha in the video shop. I help check out the DVDs.

He told me not to take too long at breaks. He said if the groceries go too fast I ask the cashier to help. He said don’t fool around when it’s busy. Be nice to the customers.

Now Jonathan is gone. He and his wife moved to Alabama. He left last Saturday. Me and my mom took Jonathan to lunch one day last week. Mom went home. Jonathan and I hung out at the mall. We went to FYE and I got him a DVD of The Lone Ranger. He liked that. Then he brought me home. We hung out at my partment. I cried when he left.

We had a party for Jonathan at Food City. Courtney brought freshments and everybody came. Ed said Jonathan will be back but Jonathan said nothing.

I miss Jonathan. He is like my big brother and my best friend. I hope he is happy in Alabama. I try to get over it but I do miss him. It’s breaking my heart.

Have you had to say goodbye to a good friend? How do you deal with the loss? How can we help Billy?