31

Words of Goodbye

Tamara offered Anthony a comforting smile, squeezing his shoulder lightly before walking out of Rosie's room and leaving him with the letter Rosie had left for him.

Anthony took a long time, just staring at the envelope.

He was afraid to open it, afraid to read whatever Rosie had written him. He didn't know if he was ready to read it, reading to hear her goodbye.

The goodbye was what scared him.

He wasn't ready to say goodbye but reading this letter would somehow make it all more real.

After what felt like a very long time of blankly staring at the envelope, Anthony opened it. He was filled with swirling emotions that he couldn't pinpoint. He was overwhelmed and feeling many conflicting feelings all at once.

"Anthony,

Maybe I am a coward for writing a letter instead of saying goodbye directly to your face. I'm afraid that if I look in your eyes and turn to walk away from you, I won't be able to leave. I don't want to know that I'm looking at you for the last time. I d