I followed Alice back to her house, the house I used to call our home. I probably ran 5 red lights, I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of hers which were watching from the rear-view mirror. This was it, this was my chance to explain everything, I had to explain everything and apologize because I had to have her back in my life as more than a friend. Within no time we arrived, and I had to take a second to think and organize my thoughts. She knew this, which is why she walked into the house leaving the door open for me. After seeing that, and after seeing how much she knew me and cared, I didn’t have to think anymore, I knew what I had to do, what I had to say.

When I walked into the house I found the love my life on the couch wiping away tears streaming down her face. I rushed over to her and held her close, “ whats wrong al?”.

She laughed lightly and looked me in the eyes, “ nothing is wrong Dane, everything’s perfect right now. I’ve just missed you so much” and with that said she held onto me as though I were going somewhere.

I made sure she could see me when I asked, “ why are you holding me like that Al?”.

She looked confused, “ what do you mean Dane?”.

I felt tears coming down, “ why are you holding me as if I were going to leave?”.

She wiped away my tears, “ well…are you? I can’t help but think that you’re just here for vacation or something. I’ve been waiting for this day for so long, I just…I want to remember everything about you…I love you so much Dana, I’d give you whatever you wanted and needed, and if leaving is what you want, I’m not going to stand in your way, I just want you to be happy”.

She turned around and faced me, “ I’m sorry…”, and then it was my turn to cry.

She held me so close and whispered in my ear, “ No Dane…I’m so sorry…”.

I looked her in the eye, “ you know what killed me Al? knowing I left the love of my life behind. I was so scared Alice, losing Mom, Dad, and Howie so fast like that, I couldn’t help but think…one day I’m going to lose you too, and I couldn’t let that happen. You’re the only person who has stayed with me, who never left me, you’re my family Alice, and if I ever lost you…the day I lose you…would be the day I truly would have lost everything, and I know that would be something I could never come back from” and with that said I held onto her as though she were going to leave.