It just started snowing. The sky is so thick with it that it’s a greyish white. I hear someone cough from across the plot. My eyes travel to them for a moment, before focusing back down at the ground. The dirt looks loose, like it's just been placed.

My breath turns to fog in front of my face, and I know my nose and cheeks are a bright red from the cold. But I don’t wanna leave yet. All I’ve been doing is looking at the flowers I've placed atop her grave over and over again. But leaving here… it feels like I’m leaving Ma.

I can’t do it.

I need a break from this town. I severed every tie I have to it, except for the restaurants. I’m done with everything else. I gave the pot business to Tony. Left the all that shit on my desk for him and I know he got them. He made that clear in the emails he sent. I don’t want a damn thing to do with it anymore. He can have it.

He’s been texting me, calling me. He even showed up at the house a few times.

I called the cops the last time, and that was the only thing that got him to leave.

I don't wanna hear it.

I don’t want to hear how he loved her.

How I was the one in the wrong for leaving her in pain when she was ready. He only said that once, but out of everything he said, that’s what stuck with me. Cause that really hurt. The truth always hurts the most.

I still feel guilty about keeping it from Emma for as long as I did. But she broke me down. I confessed everything to her. She didn’t run away like I thought she would. I made her promise she wouldn’t, but I know promises don’t mean shit sometimes. I want to give up on myself, but she won’t let me. She’s never broken a promise to me. And I’m starting to believe she’ll really stay. I fucking hope she does. Without her, I don’t know who I am anymore.

I thought the moment I told her what happened with Tony, that would be it for me, but she’s still here. And I’m ready to move on from this shit life. I’m ready for something more. Something with her. I want to be the man she deserves. And I will. I’m walking away from all this shit.

“I don’t wanna stay here.” I finally speak, not able to keep thinking on the shit that’s going through my head right now.

Emma’s wrapped up tight in a thick, hooded black coat with a scarf around her neck. The tip of her nose is peeking out. She looks up at me, blowing hot air into her hands and then holding back onto my arm.

“We can go whenever you want,” she says softly. I’ve been coming here every day for the last three days. So has Emma. She’s missed the first few days of school, but she’s not willing to leave yet. She hasn’t left my side. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is. I know with everything in me that I can’t let her go.

“That’s not what I mean,” I tell her as I turn to face her. I wrap my arms around her waist as the light dusting of snow falls into her dark brunette hair. She’s so fucking beautiful. She’s more than a sweetheart. She’s everything to me. “I wanna go with you.”

“You wanna go to school?” she asks with disbelief.

A humorless laugh leaves me, and I look behind her before finding her eyes again. I don’t need school. I’ve got more money than I’ll ever need.

“Nah. Just go with you. I know you need to get back.”

Her features soften as she realizes what I’m saying.

“I wanna be with you, Emma. I’m not letting you go this time.”

She smiles softly and leans into me. “Come with me,” she says softly. “I need someone, too.”

I don’t wanna leave Ma, but I can’t stay here.

I give her one last kiss and start leading her to the car, walking through the graveyard and not looking back.