Elena and Grace

Grace

Leaving Elena those nine months ago had been the correct choice, a fact that I didn't realize when I made my fateful decision. Torn up by guilt and shame, yet in some ways relieved, I struggled to set up a new life for myself, but I managed to nonetheless.

Cancer had ravaged my body for before I left Elena. I hadn't wanted to place her under the emotional and financial burden of having to care for a sick girlfriend; I wouldn't have been able to pull my weight, which wouldn't have been fair to her.

So I moved on.

I made my so-called getaway late one night, and left Elena a note.

I held back my tears as I furiously scribbled the heartbreaking note that would have a much more significant effect on Elena than I could ever realize. I was in agony, desperate to move to a new apartment and go through my treatment with the help of my older brother, Mark.

When I was done, I grabbed my duffel bag of memories and moved swiftly through the quiet streets, flinching occasionally as I heard cars pass.

I am jolted back to reality when my doctor approaches me to sign my release papers. They have cured me. Finally, now that I am healthy again, my life can return to the way it was meant to be.