The Price of His Bitter Regret

LINE

year was a hazy nightmare of odd jobs, under-the-table work, and a constant, gnawing hunger. Nothing lasted.

tten corners of the city, the night clubs where shadows danced and morality was a forgotten

tertwined arms. He paraded her around, announcing to anyone who would listen that she was his future, his chos

s. I saw the headlines, saw the price tags, and then looked at my own empty p

e endless fear-it took its toll. A cough that wouldn't go away, a dull ache in my side that sharp

blurry memory of an emergency room, the cold touch of a doctor' s hands,

tilted.

desperate, fleeting hope. But hope was expensive, and I was poor. The doctors offered treatments, painf

I dialed, the number ingrained in my memory. A part of

oice was clipp

ice thin and reedy. "It's me.

ll begging, Caroline? Have f

aming down my face. "Really sick. I

e of your pathetic ploys for attention? You're transparent, Caroline.

words tearing at my throat. "It wa

sound of utter boredom. "I have heard enough. Don't ca

went de

tself. The exhaustion became profound, bone-deep. Why fight for a life that was already ov

ary. A sweet release.

ed away on a quiet street. It was simple, elegant, with delicate floral patterns. It was more than jus

, the owner, was a kind old man, but he needed his final payment. My last payc

d called, his voice tight. "Caroline, are you going to fini

a little more time," I pl

siness is business

en, the only thing I had left to look forward to.

led, his voice stiff. "Caroline, I'm sorry, but you're ter

ked, my voice b

ed it. You know his influen

ammered, desperation clawing at my t

top-notch. You wouldn't stand a chance. Just... don't make thing

path to even a dignified death had been c