“I’ll be careful. I promise.” I try to reassure Paul. He reluctantly lets me go and reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet to give me money.
“Paul, I’m fine, really. People here need that more than I do.” I push the money back at him. I don’t have a ton of money, but I still have some left over from Grandma’s estate that I never had to spend because of Vance.
It’s been years since I lost him, and it still hurts. I can’t find the will to move on. It might have been quick, and it may be my own memory clouding my heart, but it felt like my soul connected to his. That’s why I’m forcing myself to leave. Maybe a change will help me take the next step in my life. Whatever that step might be.
He pulls me back in for one more hug before letting me go. “You can call anytime. We’ll be here.”
I smile at him before I turn and walk out into the snow. It’s coming down a lot heavier than it was forecast. I hop into my little car and the cold air cuts through my skin. I pull my coat even tighter around me.
I crank my car up and pray for the heat to kick on. When it finally does, I take one last look at the shelter. I close my eyes and for a moment I think about my first kiss there, with Vance. I remember it one final time before I make myself pull away from the curb.
I hate going to the graveyard. It always makes me feel so lonely. It’s worse now that Grandma is gone. I really have no one anymore. As I get close to the cemetery my tears start to flow for everything I’ve lost and am leaving behind. My tears turn to sobs as I think of Vance. I try to slow down, but my tears are coming too fast and I can’t breathe.
The snow is coming down too hard and I think I see something in the road, so I hit the brakes. But the road is slick, so my car starts to slide. I try to steer, but I have no control. Panic rushes through me and I know I’m headed for the ditch. I’m not on a busy road, and the snow will cover my car quick. I scream as I go off the road and a loud metal crunch fills my ears before everything goes dark.
* * *