Page 202 of The Professor's Wife

Or maybe it was just the one.

It felt like a dream. I was floating there. Waiting expectantly for death to find me. The cold faded with the physical pain. Love and sorrow remained, fighting inside me while everything else went quiet.

Give it up.

Give it up, Daisy.

Let go.

Come home.

“Daisy.” June’s voice.

“Mommy.” Rowe’s voice.

“Daze.” Tristan’s voice.

Their voices fought to be heard around me. Begged for me to listen. To focus on what they were saying.

“...the Cave, Daisy.”

“...Out of—”

“...the cave, Daisy.”

“Get out...”

The butterfly flew away, carrying with it the voices, leaving only one behind.

Mine.

Repeating—

Repeating—

I should have stayed.

I should have stayed…

I should have…

I should…

The last breath rushed out of me, and the world became still…then black…

Then there was nothing at all.

PART TWO

MEMENTO AMORIS:

Remember Love

THE IN-BETWEEN

The dead do not disappear.

They wait inside the lives we have not lived yet.