Dear Crystal,
Do you remember that day? The day when we first met? Let me remind you. It was December, a week after I started chemotherapy, and I was ready to get my hair cut. My mom wouldn’t let me drive even though I had my license. When we walked in, the first person I saw was you. Well, more specifically, I saw your hair. Bright pink with purple. While I waited for my turn, I couldn’t stop thinking about your hair. It might be strange, yes, but to someone who was about to lose his hair, it might as well have been pure gold. I finally got called, and it turned out that you were going to cut my hair. You asked what style I wanted, and I just said, “All of it. I want all of it gone.” You must have understood because you didn’t ask a single question. But while you took the shaver to my hair, you told me stories of people you’ve lost to cancer. You didn’t mention the tears spilling down my cheeks as I saw lock after lock of my chestnut hair fall limp to the floor. When you told me you were done, I couldn’t bring myself to look in the mirror. I didn’t want to see myself, afraid that I would be revolted. And then I heard the buzz of the shaving razor again and looked up. You were shaving your head. Nothing but concentration plastered your face as you got rid of your bright pink hair. After you finished, you slowly turned my head towards the mirror until I was forced to look at my reflection. You said, “We look good, don't we. Being bald suits us."
Three years and a whole lot of treatment later, I still cry whenever I think of that moment. We’ve come so far from that moment. Every second spent with you was a blessing, Crystal. What you did for me that day is engraved in my head, and it’ll stay there forever. I wish I had more time. I wish I could give you the best years of your life. I wish I could see you one last time. But I need you to promise me something, okay? Promise that you’ll move on. You don’t have to forget about me, just don’t hold onto me too tight. Find a nice, respectable man who will love you to the stars and back.
I hope that one day I’ll see you again, wherever I’m headed. But if we don’t cross paths, just know one thing. I love you, and I always will.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSaLRNeFdu
Yours 'till the end of time,
Ethan
I clutch the letter to my chest, tears streaming down my face. “Ethan,” I sob. I’m sitting on the hotel bed in my wedding dress. I tilt my head back so that I’m looking at the ceiling. “Ethan,” I say to the heavens. “I did it. I kept your promise. I did everything you asked. I’m getting married in a few hours to Jesse Collins. You would like him. In fact, I think you’d be best friends with him.” I let out a halfhearted laugh, trying to wipe away my tears. “I haven’t forgotten you, and I never will. Not until the end of time. Be safe up there. And we will see each other again. Just wait for me.”
The aisle is longer than I remember, which is strange because I was just here yesterday for the rehearsal. As I carefully take each step, I grip my father’s arm with one hand and my bouquet of flowers in the other. Tucked into the delicate arrangement of poppies and roses, is the letter. He is here with me now, on my big day. Without warning, a strong gust of wind blows past me, and I swear I hear his voice. I love you, Crystal. Now go get married. Guests shiver and a few of the children shriek, but all I do is let out a breathy laugh. I look to the cloudy sky and whisper one final thing, letting the wind whisk away my words and up to him.265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLf0iRAULQ
“I…I love you.”265Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT3gGTQ2xo
