AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was silent, and for a second, I thought she had fallen asleep mid-conversation. Finally she spoke. “For what?”
I was quiet, so she turned to me and saw I was still awake and looking at her. There was so much I was thanking her for, but all I could manage to do was stare into her eyes and say, “Everything.”
She smiled and touched my cheek. I hoped she would lean in and kiss me, but she didn’t. She just turned back over without saying anything else.
I traced the words I love you on her back. I hope one day I can say them to her face.
I woke up around three in the morning having a nightmare. I must have been thrashing or talking out loud because she was shaking me, and I heard her talking to me telling me to calm down.
“Lincoln, it’s okay. Wake up, Lincoln, I’m here.”
I finally opened my eyes and saw the worry in hers. I pulled her close and kissed her on her soft lips. She didn’t pull away immediately, so I deepened the kiss for a moment. I realized I had to pull away because I told her I just wanted to be with her and wanted to stick to it.
She laid her head down on my shoulder, and I kissed the top of her head as she snuggled down into me. I felt at peace with her here. At some point, I drifted back to sleep…I could swear I was dreaming about her. I heard her voice whisper, “I hope someday you find someone who makes you happy, Lincoln.” All I could think was, I already did. Then I drifted to sleep.
I woke up slowly when I heard my blaring alarm, reaching over to where Aubrey had been, but she wasn’t there. My shirt was folded on the bed. I checked my phone and found a text from her.
Songbird: I’m sorry. I hope you forgive me. We will be okay one day…I promise.
My mind was racing, and I didn’t know what that could have meant. I started to get dressed, and that’s when I saw it. A letter was folded in half on my counter, and my name was written on it in perfect cursive writing. I didn’t know anyone still wrote in cursive. Well, I guess now I do.
I was afraid to open it because I knew what it said before I even read it, but I knew not opening it wouldn’t change the fact that she was gone.
Dear Lincoln,
I’m writing this as I sit on a bench in town. I just left you at the karaoke bar, and it broke my heart to do so because I know what I’m about to do. If you’re reading this, I’m gone. Brie and I are driving back together, so I’m not alone. I texted Brie and asked her to pack my stuff because I knew I wouldn’t have had the heart to do it. I don’t want to leave you, Lincoln, but I have to.
At this point, we’re bad for each other and our family, and it won’t get better unless we give ourselves space. We are so consumed by each other that we’re not thinking clearly.
I’m going home so we can have some space to think and hopefully get over this. I wrote letters for Liza and Pops too, just letting them know I’ll be back for my birthday in a few weeks when my parents are coming down to meet them. I hope you’re here too.
I know I’m leaving early, and I know I’m probably leaving you in the lurch with the play, but this is something I have to do, not only for me but for us. I’m sorry. Me being around does not give you or me the time that we need to move on. You shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in your own space.
I’m leaving the rest of the music you need on my bed. I hope you can forgive me. I genuinely believe you are the right person at the wrong time. I don’t know how this will ever work with us being so far away, but I do know that if it’s meant to be, we will make it happen. I can’t wait to hear how your healing journey is going next time I see you. Take care of Pops and Liza for me. See you soon.
P.S. Don’t cut your hair just yet. I’ll do it when I see you next.
With Love,
Songbird.
I ran inside to see if I could catch her before she left because I didn’t know when she left the note for me, but Pops sat at the kitchen table with his coffee almost gone and a letter of his own.
“She left.” I meant to ask it as a question, but it came out as more of a statement.
He looked at me, and I was expecting him to be upset with me, but he wasn’t. “She will be back. Fate has a way of making things happen at the perfect time.”
“I…I love her.”
He gave me a look of sympathy. “I know… so what will we do about it?”
I was taken aback by what he said. “We? You’re going to help me?”
“Don’t I always? Plus, I want to be able to visit you both and see a wedding and some grandbabies before I die.” Then he flashed me a grin, telling me we were thinking the same thing.
“I am going to get some help.”
“And then?”
