12 Last Words

The Third Goodbye

In July I got the most bittersweet news of my life. The joy I felt was overpowering but the sadness twinged inside as well. Fletcher, whom I now consider the love of my life was declared in remission by the doctors.

 Warmth spread in my heart and stress that I was oblivious to was lifted. I no longer had to fear losing him to cancer. A sick realization hit me as I embraced him and our tears of joy spilled. His health was the ticket back to his home in Indiana. I would be left behind and forgotten by Fletcher just as Bryant had done.

When I vocalized my fears Fletch pulled me close, chuckled, and planted a kiss on the crown of my head. "My dearest Della, nothing of the sort could happen. The chances of me forgetting you are the same as the chances of me willingly eating mushrooms." I laughed thinking of his hate for mushrooms which he had repeatedly reminded me was a type of fungus. 

"Soon you'll be healthy enough to come and visit me. Maybe you'll even come down to live there someday." He wiggled his eyebrows at me. Things were looking up for him and given the chance to leave me in the dust he chose to remain at my side. 

We slept side by side the last few nights before his departure. Our parents said nothing as they understood. We made plans for how to deal with the distance though no one can really prepare to be so far away from each other. We didn't know the next time we would be able to see one another in person and I hoped my love was enough to stretch and last the trip to Indiana. 

The morning he left we laughed and kissed and cried. With a vow of love and promises of contact we said our goodbyes and he left for his home. Laying now on the couch at home with a group of family waiting to mourn, I would give every bit of my soul for more time with Fletcher. Nothing in the world, not even cancer, could dim the beacon of light that is him.