27 Chapter 25

Present:

"The thing is death is inevitable. It will always be in your life, like that junk drawer in your kitchen. I never understood what more there was to fight for until someone helped open my eyes and mind again. We tend to isolate instead of reaching out for help. We tend to die with the ones we love the most instead of living for them. That's what Hope taught me; to live for the ones who can't anymore. To live and not just survive." Nancy looked at me, surprised. I don't blame her. I started this session off being morbid.

"What are you going to do now?" I whipped any tears I had left out from under my eye.

"I'm going to do exactly what Hope taught me. I'm going to try and live for her and for Maddie, instead of just surviving. I'm going to come and see you and actually open up. Today they take Hope off life support, and today instead of dying with her, I'll let her live through me." She hummed then stood up. I stood up with her and walked next to her towards the door.

"I'll see you next week?" She questioned.

"Yes." I made my way out to my car to go see Hope one last time.

"Hey, you." I grabbed Hope's hand that was warm only because of a machine making sure her heart was pumping, and she was breathing. Her hair had already grown back and was the way I had remembered it from when we were teenagers.

"I fully opened up to her finally. You'd be so proud. It only took me five years." I chuckled then sighed.

"I'm in my last two years of residency. Working hard really paid off. I wish you were here to celebrate with me, but I have a feeling you'll be there no matter what." I squeezed her hand a little harder. I could feel the first of many tears make its way down my cheek.

"Are you ready?" I looked up to see Hope's parents. Both looked a little older than they were due to the strain of life. I looked back at Hope and nodded. Soon someone came in and shut off everything. They made sure we didn't hear any flatlining, which I'm grateful for. Her parents came over and said their goodbyes, then left the room.

"I guess this is it. I'm going to love you forever. I'll live for you." I bent down and kissed her forehead. I felt a slight breeze of air and pulled back. I put my hand over her mouth and felt air. I felt air!

"Someone get in here! She's breathing!" I snapped my eyes back down to meet those green ones I never thought I'd see again.

"Clarity?" She remembers me.