Chapter VIII: Remember.
But now, my sweet, your stones have hit their target. Your little fat donut puppy is bleeding, every bone of her shattered, her eyes swollen shut. Broken as she is, she would crawl to the very ends of the earth for you if she could--still happily wagging her tail.
Where you go from here, I can no longer follow, my love.
I tried, ميغيل. With the best of me--with all I had, I really, really tried. All that is left of the love I gave you is huddled, frightened, inside this hollow husk that used to be us. Before the roaring chaos outside rips the last pieces of my shell away, I shall offer you the one spark I have left:
Do not be afraid, my darling.
If you ever feel afraid, then hold on to something real, and let it remind you that you have nothing to fear from the truth.
Remember that night, long ago, when you said it was the end of the world--you put your head on my lap and I ran my fingers through your hair--and I said I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I meant it then. And every moment since.
Remember how you used to tremble when you kissed me goodnight, how you would wrap your arms around me and call me your chicken.
Remember how you would wake up in the dark as I tried to leave and beg me so desperately to stay with you. I stayed. I chose to--I chose you.
Remember how happy and comfortable we used to be just doing simple things like watching Burn Notice or Boardwalk; walking hand in hand, singing our songs; learning tango together, dancing in our park; talking nonstop until we fell asleep.
Remember our food adventures in Aguirre; moonlight picnics in the summer; giggling about having a farty; rubbing your tummy when you'd snore at me. I was in love with you then. Time changed everything but that, at least for me. We found so much joy in simple things; I don't know how we ever let it get this difficult.
Remember how much I loved you. That was real, ميغيل. Once upon a time, for however short a time, you were loved. If you remember nothing else about us, remember that.
Remember, and find the peace we once had.
Goodbye,
J
Where you go from here, I can no longer follow, my love.
I tried, ميغيل. With the best of me--with all I had, I really, really tried. All that is left of the love I gave you is huddled, frightened, inside this hollow husk that used to be us. Before the roaring chaos outside rips the last pieces of my shell away, I shall offer you the one spark I have left:
Do not be afraid, my darling.
If you ever feel afraid, then hold on to something real, and let it remind you that you have nothing to fear from the truth.
Remember that night, long ago, when you said it was the end of the world--you put your head on my lap and I ran my fingers through your hair--and I said I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I meant it then. And every moment since.
Remember how you used to tremble when you kissed me goodnight, how you would wrap your arms around me and call me your chicken.
Remember how you would wake up in the dark as I tried to leave and beg me so desperately to stay with you. I stayed. I chose to--I chose you.
Remember how happy and comfortable we used to be just doing simple things like watching Burn Notice or Boardwalk; walking hand in hand, singing our songs; learning tango together, dancing in our park; talking nonstop until we fell asleep.
Remember our food adventures in Aguirre; moonlight picnics in the summer; giggling about having a farty; rubbing your tummy when you'd snore at me. I was in love with you then. Time changed everything but that, at least for me. We found so much joy in simple things; I don't know how we ever let it get this difficult.
Remember how much I loved you. That was real, ميغيل. Once upon a time, for however short a time, you were loved. If you remember nothing else about us, remember that.
Remember, and find the peace we once had.
Goodbye,
J