What Remains of Me

ve listened

ong, like the calm before a storm. I remember tossing the dishrag on the counter and c

r that blue towel he liked dragging everywhere. But when I stepped outside and saw

his time, louder, pan

ans

en I s

own. F

ppening. I jumped into the water, the chill biting into my skin, but I didn't care. I pull

did

tears blinding me, but I kept pressing on his chest

e. Mommy's here. Plea

hospital, the doctors ha

death:

en my wor

cream. I couldn't cry. Couldn't even breathe. Just this deafening

dead. My ba

till too young, that we could wait a few years. But no-I insisted. I wanted him to grow up in

lled

t won't lea

with chlorine and guilt. People walked past me like I didn't exist. Nurses whis

ven S

sn't

again, but he didn't answe

nside, didn't care. I just ran. I needed to see him. I needed answers

d, I got m

secr

oring the receptionist calling after me. I wasn't in the mood

ere!" the assistant snappe

d past her. I didn't

ed the

saw

band,

d

her waist like they belonged there. Their kiss wasn't

red whatever

even see m

rway. My whole world collapsed a

ories-a "colleague" who texted a little too much, smiled a littl

her eyes going wide as s

she wh

parted. He looked stunn

I didn't screa

and wal

l my legs, couldn't feel the floor under me. I just kept walking. I d

ar the back of the building, whe

ground and let

our chest and wrecks you from the inside out. I couldn't tell wh

all t

ed for

in his shark pajamas, grinning at the camera, arms outst

br

?" I whispered. "Why

felt heavier than my whole body. It felt like a dream, the type you will wan

calling all day, probably worried sick. But I d

loved most had vanished

against the cold wall

s al

y al

ew... this was on