Always With Me

Part 33- Becca Lowrey

The week after graduation was a blur because I spent as much time as I could with Zack. We made many trips around Mississippi to find fun restaurants and to sight-see. When we finished Mississippi, we began on Tennessee and Alabama. We took turns driving, and we drove almost every single day. Car rides had always been my favorite because there was nothing to do but talk and watch the road ahead of you. Since we didn't have anywhere in particular to be, we ended up in towns that I'd never even heard of.

One day in particular, the last day that we had together, we ended up driving all the way to Nashville. It was about a five hour drive, so we ended up getting back home late. We ate at a small deli and drove around the town. It was beautiful, and there was music on almost every corner. I walked beside Zack, hand in hand, through the day.

"This is crazy," he said as we drove over a large bridge covering water. "I just can't believe that this was seriously built by someone."

I laughed as I watched out the window. The sun was setting, so the water was reflecting the bright reds and yellows of the sky. I was in awe of the wonders of it all.

"I totally agree. I mean, how did anyone get to this area without the bridge?" I asked.

"Exactly! I like the way your mind works, Lowrey," Zack joked.

"Why, thank you, Goodman. Your mind is pretty great as well."

"I already knew that," Zack joked. He was driving, but he turned to wink at me. I laughed and winked back.

We made the conversation on the way home fun, heavy, and then light hearted again. We'd spent all day together, yet I couldn't get enough time with him. He was the best man that I had ever known, and he had an amazing personality. I loved him more than he would ever know. And he would be leaving soon.

When we got back home at around midnight, he walked me to my door. I walked beside him, attempting to make the night last forever.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Becca. But thank you for letting me do this." Zack kissed me, grabbing both sides of my face.

"You'd better be glad I love you," I joked, kissing him again.

He grew serious. "I am very glad that you love me."

"You are going to do great things, Zack. I know it. I am so proud of you, and I don't tell you that enough," I paused. I didn't want to cry in front of him, because I could see that it was tearing him up inside that he was leaving me.

"Just remember that I love you, and we will see each other soon." Zack said as we kissed. The kiss was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, and it literally took my breath away. The man standing in front of me was the most amazing person I knew. "God, Zack is all yours now." I prayed as Zack turned to leave.

I was able to see him for a minute before he left the next morning. But soon, Zack was gone. As I watched him leave, I saw a piece of my heart leave with him. There was a physical pain in the pit of my chest as we said 'goodbye', because he was gone and now all that I could do was wait.

I cried a few tears, but nothing helped that hollow ache that left with him. Ellie came to my house a few hours later, and she found me asleep on my bed.

"Becca, how are you?" Ellie asked as she shook my body. I woke up and turned over.

"I'm fine. I really am. It just wasn't easy seeing him leave, that's all," I said to them, this time not tearing up. I had to be stronger than this or I wasn't going to make it through the next few months. I had until September, and that was a very long time from now. It felt like an eternity.