• “So, what do you think that one is about, baby?” Taliah whispered in my ear with a cute giggle. Her delicate hand moved swiftly across the newspaper and pointed to an entry with her acrylic nails. I picked up the daily paper and skimmed over the obituaries we read every Sunday morning. I felt Taliah’s beautiful baby blue eyes watching me as I read. When I finished, I gently placed it on the coffee table. I glanced over at her. She had a pleasing look on her flawless face. Her cute button nose was burned to a slight red along with her adorable chubby cheeks. Her lips formed a smile that revealed some of her straight pearly whites. Taliah’s long golden hair was kept down. Each hair was so perfectly placed even though it was still morning. Her face lacked the usual make up she wore each day, but today she looked amazing without it.
    “Taliah?” I spoke so gently as if I were walking on thin ice.
    “What is it, Jace?” Her face easily showed her confusion by the way she moved her eyebrows.
    “I love you” I reached out for her. My lips caressed hers so gently. I held her face with my stained hands.

    The tears suddenly came like a waterfall. I switched on the soft light on my nightstand. I held my aching head in my hands. Why? Why you? Why not me? Questions flooded my brain that hurt my bleeding heart. I lifted my heavy head and searched the blankets for you. More tears. Sweat and tears covered my face and blankets. Ugh, gross. I threw the blankets to the side to view my unpleasant feet. I tossed my legs over the side of the bed. Rubbing my tired eyes, I lifted my heavy body onto the moving floor. My dizzy head threw off my balance and sent me shooting towards the floor. I caught myself by holding on to the door. My hand rubbed my head while I let my eyes close. I finally got the strength to reach the small bathroom adjacent from our room. The light switch seemed light years away but I eventually turned it on. The mirror showed a tired person I reflected. My hands searched for the porcelain sink to wash my sweat covered face. The cold water felt good on my tired eyes and woke me up. I felt mesmerized as the water twirled down the dirty drain. After washing my face and waking up, I headed to our kitchen table. The Sunday Newspaper sat there like always. Everything was in place. Nothing was obscene except for you. You were nowhere in sight. Regardless, I took a seat and carefully opened the paper without you. I wanted to do it. I had to do it. What’s wrong with me? I have to look at it. I eventually found the lost courage to open to the obituaries and instantly spotted the entry:

    “Taliah Marie Abcott died on Friday, December 18th, 2009. She passed away at a young age of 25. She was engaged to a Jace Avery Luve. The cause of her death was Leukemia; cancer of the blood. Taliah was loved by many and will be missed.”