Saying Goodbye

"Hey, you're okay. You'll be fine. Just breathe" he sang, soothingly.

"How much time left?" she asked, panic rising in her chest, hoping it wouldn't show on her tear streaked face.

Knowing her obsession with counting down, he looked at her lovingly and replied, "Don't worry, I'll tell you when it's time."

He generously watched the clock so she didn't have to, he was strong when she couldn't be.

They continued to reminisce, recounting times so wonderful, they had to smile.

The airport was bustling with people but she felt like they were the only ones there. She was so completely absorbed with him, lost in the moment and not wanting it to end. But it had to. Everything ends.

After pulling out his phone, he looked up at her, "It's time."

She started sobbing, shaking her head. "It can't be. I'm not ready yet!" she screamed in her head. Her thoughts were racing, she wasn't ready to go, it couldn't be time yet. He quickly reassured her, "It's okay. We just have to go to the shuttle area, we still have a little bit."

Breathe.

Just Breathe.

It'll be okay, just breathe.

With that, he grabbed her hand and led her upstairs, whispering comforts the entire time. "It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."

She couldn't get the words out to check in, so he did it for her.

"We're leaving in 13 minutes" The driver said.

After checking into the shuttle, they headed back to the seats. This time, she curled up in his lap, wanting to feel the safety of his arms one last time.

Talk got more frantic, it was no longer memories, it was goodbyes, fleeting, trying to say everything before time ran out.

"You're an amazing person"
"You deserve the best"
"You're going to find someone amazing, and they are going to treat you way better than I ever could, and I can't wait to hear all about him/her"

"You can take that necklace off when you find someone else."

"I don't want to"

"It's okay"

"I'm going to miss you"

"You changed my life"

"Thanks for being my miracle"

Tap on the shoulder. "We're leaving"

Sobbing now.

Everything's a blur.

"Can you come outside with me?"

Wrapped in his hug.

Feeling him cry harder than ever before.

Untangling, walking away.

Did she kiss him one last time? Did she say she say "I love you" before she left?

SHE DOESN'T REMEMBER.

Looking back, his hands in his hair, his face broken.

Her fault.

Just keep walking.

Time to go.

Breathe.

Might never see him again.

Love him.

WALKING AWAY.

breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.breathe.

Out the window, he's standing, signaling one last time that he loves her.

Blowing her one last kiss, so she can have one for next time.

She sits there, weeping.

Other passengers staring.

Bus driver loading.

Driving away.

LEAVING HIM THERE.

Further away.

Further, further, further, further.

Gone.

Over.

she left him.

how...

how could she leave him...

I can't get this out of my head. All I see are these images. How could he be so strong for me? So selfish of me to not be better.braver.stronger for him. How could I walk away from him? How did I say goodbye?