birthday. My heart just about burst in pain, knowing he wouldn’t be there to share it with me.
I silently dedicated myself, for the next few days, to find out exactly what had happened. I knew the police would probably dismiss it as an accidental death, unless they had a witness or some solid evidence. The only person who probably knew what had happened was Tyler, but I’d have to find him first.
Dinner was awkward. We sat in silence through most of it. Michael was definitely the life and heartbeat of this house, and now that he was gone, it wasn’t the same. It felt empty and cold. It would never be the same.
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Young said in a soft voice.
“Hmmm?” I hummed glancing over to her, after shoving a large piece of lettuce in my mouth.
“Michael left something for you in his room. It was something he was planning on giving you last night; something he really, really wanted you to have,” she smiled wearily and looked down at her plate, swirling her spaghetti noodles around her fork. “You can go up and get it… if you want to.”
I was reluctant at first but decided to go up after I finished my dinner. They stayed downstairs at the table as I slowly made my ascent up the stairway to the first door on the left. I stood there for a moment. Butterflies twisted in my gut as I carefully turned the knob and pushed open the door. I reached for the light and clicked the light on.
Michael’s room was as it always was – neat and tidy. His walls were baby blue, the color of the sky. Trophies were lined on shelves around his room, and dozens of ribbons hung neatly in large wooden frames above his dresser.
On his nightstand were multiple frames which held priceless pictures of him… of us. I walked over and picked one up. It was a picture of us at his 10th birthday party. We were laughing and had cake smeared all over our faces. Tyler was behind us making bunny ears.
I carefully placed it back on the stand and picked up another one. It was at the Alyeska Ski Resort, the first time I’d ever tried snowboarding. We were in the seventh grade, and his parents drove us down during our winter break.
I remembered how horrible I was, but Michael was patient, and stayed right by my side. He spent the whole day holding me up, until I finally made it down by myself without falling. I acquired lots of bumps and bruises that day. I felt so horrible because it was a wasted trip for him, but he assured me over and over that I was worth it.
His dad took the picture. I looked horrible! My face was red and flustered, while he looked like a model, perfect and flawless. He was smiling my favorite smile. I told him to get rid of the picture, but instead, he framed it and put it next to his bed. Typical Michael.
There was a deep sobbing sound and I quickly realized it was me. Tears welled in my eyes making the picture blurry. I quickly dabbed away the wet with my t-shirt and placed the picture back on his nightstand.
His bed was neatly made, everything in its place. The brown teddy bear I had given him on his last birthday sat neatly on top of his pillow. At the foot of his bed rested a card and a small golden box with a red ribbon carefully tied in a bow. I picked up the box and twisted it in my hands. The card had Liz handwritten on it.
I sat on the edge of his bed, wiped the tears from my face and carefully tore open the back of the envelope. I pulled out a thick card which had a picture of a single red rose on it. In golden script letters it read “I Love You.” I opened the card and took in a deep breath before reading it.
…………………
Liz,
From the moment I met you, I knew we were meant to be together.
We’ve survived almost twelve years, including high-school, and are now entering into a whole new life, a life I want to share with you. Forever.
Please accept this gift as a promise, a promise of my love, a love that will never die. I’ve always loved you and I always will.
Forever in my
I silently dedicated myself, for the next few days, to find out exactly what had happened. I knew the police would probably dismiss it as an accidental death, unless they had a witness or some solid evidence. The only person who probably knew what had happened was Tyler, but I’d have to find him first.
Dinner was awkward. We sat in silence through most of it. Michael was definitely the life and heartbeat of this house, and now that he was gone, it wasn’t the same. It felt empty and cold. It would never be the same.
“Lizzy,” Mrs. Young said in a soft voice.
“Hmmm?” I hummed glancing over to her, after shoving a large piece of lettuce in my mouth.
“Michael left something for you in his room. It was something he was planning on giving you last night; something he really, really wanted you to have,” she smiled wearily and looked down at her plate, swirling her spaghetti noodles around her fork. “You can go up and get it… if you want to.”
I was reluctant at first but decided to go up after I finished my dinner. They stayed downstairs at the table as I slowly made my ascent up the stairway to the first door on the left. I stood there for a moment. Butterflies twisted in my gut as I carefully turned the knob and pushed open the door. I reached for the light and clicked the light on.
Michael’s room was as it always was – neat and tidy. His walls were baby blue, the color of the sky. Trophies were lined on shelves around his room, and dozens of ribbons hung neatly in large wooden frames above his dresser.
On his nightstand were multiple frames which held priceless pictures of him… of us. I walked over and picked one up. It was a picture of us at his 10th birthday party. We were laughing and had cake smeared all over our faces. Tyler was behind us making bunny ears.
I carefully placed it back on the stand and picked up another one. It was at the Alyeska Ski Resort, the first time I’d ever tried snowboarding. We were in the seventh grade, and his parents drove us down during our winter break.
I remembered how horrible I was, but Michael was patient, and stayed right by my side. He spent the whole day holding me up, until I finally made it down by myself without falling. I acquired lots of bumps and bruises that day. I felt so horrible because it was a wasted trip for him, but he assured me over and over that I was worth it.
His dad took the picture. I looked horrible! My face was red and flustered, while he looked like a model, perfect and flawless. He was smiling my favorite smile. I told him to get rid of the picture, but instead, he framed it and put it next to his bed. Typical Michael.
There was a deep sobbing sound and I quickly realized it was me. Tears welled in my eyes making the picture blurry. I quickly dabbed away the wet with my t-shirt and placed the picture back on his nightstand.
His bed was neatly made, everything in its place. The brown teddy bear I had given him on his last birthday sat neatly on top of his pillow. At the foot of his bed rested a card and a small golden box with a red ribbon carefully tied in a bow. I picked up the box and twisted it in my hands. The card had Liz handwritten on it.
I sat on the edge of his bed, wiped the tears from my face and carefully tore open the back of the envelope. I pulled out a thick card which had a picture of a single red rose on it. In golden script letters it read “I Love You.” I opened the card and took in a deep breath before reading it.
…………………
Liz,
From the moment I met you, I knew we were meant to be together.
We’ve survived almost twelve years, including high-school, and are now entering into a whole new life, a life I want to share with you. Forever.
Please accept this gift as a promise, a promise of my love, a love that will never die. I’ve always loved you and I always will.
Forever in my
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