Time to Go

"Hey, darling. You hanging in there?"

I nodded, trying to focus on his blurry image in front of me. He gently sat on the edge of my bed and took my hand in his. I addressed him, speaking softly. "I was wondering when you were coming to see me again."

"I've been keeping an eye on you. You just couldn't see me." There was silence for a moment as he studied my face. "You know," he said, "You don't have to keep fighting this. You can come with me. They will understand, they love you and want what's best for you." He gestured with his head toward the side of the room where my parents sat.

I shook my head, unsure. "They need me here, they need me to stay..." I tried to convince myself, but tears started to fill my eyes. I squeezed his hand. "I just don't know, I want to go with you, but I don't want to leave them! Not like this..." He smiled that warm familiar smile of his and nodded understandingly.

"I know how you feel, it was hard for me to leave my loved ones, too. But I still check in on them every now and then. Everything will be okay." He paused for a moment while he looked into my eyes. Then, bringing his other hand to my cheek, he said reassuringly "It's not forever, just for a little while."

I smiled weakly and nodded. He leaned over me and kissed me very gently. My head throbbed, this was the hardest decision I'd ever had to make. I closed my eyes and sighed, thinking of what to do. I was tired of living this way, that was for sure. A change would be nice. And, I would get to be with him. Opening my eyes again, I whispered "I'm tired. I'm ready to go." Then, taking one last glance at my family, even more tears filled my eyes. "Take me with you."

He stood and turned towards me. He gathered me up into his arms and began to carry me away. Taking one last look at my family, I saw my mother and father begin to sob as they rushed to the side of that broken shell of a body that had kept me inprisoned for this past month. In a moment, the bed was surrounded by people frantically running about and shouting orders. I laid my head on his chest, and he kissed me on the forehead as he continued to carry me away.

I was already beginning to feel better, afterall, goodbye isn't forever.