The next morning, both Jake and Holly had to wake up early, for different reasons: she had to work, and, much to his dislike, he had to catch an early flight back to Washington. The decoration ceremony was set for 1pm. Jake never liked to attend such formalities. They lasted too long, and worse than that, he had to listen to the speeches of too many politicians throughout them. Still, when it occurred to him that this would probably be the last time he had to attend a decoration ceremony, he had a change of heart. A medal for bravery was an ideal way to end his colorful career as a marine. He would also get the chance to reconnect with a few of his marine buddies. These two, simple facts turned his initial reluctance more into eagerness.

The long drive to Boston and the short flight to D.C. gave him plenty of time to reflect on his career. He contemplated the nine eventful years: years filled with agony; pain; fear; but also camaraderie; friendships; lots of fun; and, more importantly, his relationship with Allison. They had enlisted together and almost always, served together. Indeed, they had only been separated once and then just for a few weeks, when he was reassigned in Italy.

“When I think about the Corps, I can’t help but reminisce about her, too: the dates; the romantic nights under the stars; the fun; the sex… I never forgot – ever. Those memories became even stronger when I thought I’d lost her. However, she forgot. I don’t mind, really. We all have to make our choices and live with them. She chose the uniform.

I won’t go back to being a marine. Sure, the friendships I made while serving would last forever, but I don’t want to get shot at every other day because some crazy middle-eastern man thinks he is on a mission from God. Instead, I have grown to love the mountain. It is peaceful: pure; I wake up in the morning and I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. It’s not just the scenery that takes my breath away; it’s Holly, too. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d still be mourning. I’d still watch those beautiful sunsets, imagining I was sharing them with Allison. But no more: you gave my life direction, honey. You gave me a reason to live.”

Predictably, this decoration ceremony went exactly as he expected. Had it not been for the long speeches, it wouldn’t have lasted more than two hours. General Holden’s words moved him, as he decorated him with another Bronze Star.

“It’s been an honor, son.” He said, saluting him. But still, nothing that came out of the aging military man’s mouth was enough to change his mind. As much as he loved his country, Jake Isaacs had found, in mount Greylock, the one thing that the marines could never offer him: peace of mind. Yes, he had to come up with the money for his mortgage the 12^th of every month, but his bar was very popular and he had always been punctual. After all, paying off a loan was a small price to pay for his new life.

After a long, but rather fun day, full of memories and strong emotions, he returned to Adams late that night, with a heart filled with content, in nervous anticipation of seeing his Holly again. As Jake pulled his keys out of the pocket of his jacket though, he began to suspect that their next meeting would not go as he would like. Someone had placed a large, brown envelope and a smaller, white one against his door behind the storm door. When he opened the former, his jaw dropped. It contained a picture of him and Allison. She was standing next to a bed, naked, looking down at him. He was also naked and gazing up at her face as well. There was also a date, at the bottom right corner:

2-28-2017

Fuming with rage, he pulled a letter out of the white envelope. It was from Holly.

“So… This is what marines do, when they get back from missions? Oh, my God! I was disgusted when I saw these. Yeah, there were more pictures. I tore them to little pieces. How could you do this to me? I trusted you, I supported you, I loved you with everything in my heart and you… You blew it!

I should have listened to Cathy. She always said you’d get back together with her. Goodbye, Jake.

Holly”

“Noooo!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, tossing both envelopes across his driveway. Feeling his blood pumping through his veins, he went back to his car. In a matter of seconds, he was on his way to Holly’s house.

How the fuck is this even possible? That picture has Sunday’s date on it. I don’t remember sleeping anywhere near her! Damn you, Allison. I turned you down and now you’re out to destroy my happiness. You’ve hit a new low: first the list; then the whole jealousy crap; now this? Wait till I get my hands on you, you crazy little bitch.

Jake noticed a familiar, feminine figure, sitting on the top landing of the small staircase that led to Holly’s front door. She had dropped her face into her hands. The tires of his SUV screeched, as he stepped hard on the brakes, just a few feet away from her. With his heart pounding in his chest, he stormed out of his car and hurtled towards her.

“Holly…” he gasped, as his quick footsteps brought him closer to her. “It’s a lie, baby. I never laid a hand on her.”

“Go away,” she sniffled. “It’s all over.”

“No!” He yelled is a voice riddled with panic and fear. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“What would you do?” Holly asked him, her voice hardly audible as she slowly looked up at him. The sight of her watery, reddened eyes melted his heart. “What would you do if someone showed you pictures of me and another man in bed?”

“I would not believe it!” His stentorian voice rumbled like thunder, as he leaned over her.

“Really?” she responded, her voice reeking with sarcasm. “I didn’t want to believe it was you at first. But it was and those pictures…” Her voice broke, as she covered her mouth with her hand. “They’re recent.”

“You’ve got to believe me, Holly…” He lowered his tone, his breathing short. “I would never do this to you: ever.”

“Go home,” she whispered, blinking back tears, as she tore her gaze away from him. “Go back to her.”

Frustrated by her words, Jake squeezed his eyes shut, feeling his blood pound in his temples. His initial thought was to scream at her, but such an approach would not help him at all. He took a deep, cleansing breath and leaned back.

“You don’t believe me,” he said, his tone calm as he shook his head. “I didn’t sleep with her. I’m going to prove it. And…” he paused. “And when I do, don’t come crawling back to me. There’s this old song I really like. It’s called ‘When I’m gone’. Do yourself a favor and listen to it, particularly the part where it says: ‘If I walk out that door, it’s forever, there’s no turning back.’ Have a good night, Holly. Thanks a lot for the vote of confidence.”

Jake flipped around and walked away from her, as she once more, burst into loud, wailing sobs. Straight away, the song he had mentioned to Holly began to play in his mind, but he was too upset to be affected by the sheer emotion of it.

It was only later, when his anger subsided that he realized what had transpired. His relationship with her had come to a sad, bitter end. Jake poured some whiskey into a glass and pressed the “play” button on his stereo. The acoustic guitar introduction raised every hair on his body. Robin McAuley's voice sent shivers down his spine, as the powerful ballad reminded him of Holly’s smiling face. It wasn’t long before the glass slipped through his fingers. It fell hard to the floor and shattered into hundreds of pieces. Jake leaned his back against his couch, as tears rose up in his eyes. This time, he would not hold them back. He had lost the one thing he had believed in, the woman who had pulled him out of his misery. The “angel on his shoulder” as he used to call her, had flown away from him, breaking his heart. And there was nothing he could do about it…

“Goodbye, Holly…” He whispered, hot, thick tears spilling from his eyes, as he got lost in the magic of the song…

It's early morning, not quite awake the urge is calling and I can't wait I need you now, Oh! Your body moves, we feel like one you open your eyes and I feel so strong I want you now, more than ever

You laugh when I cry I'm beginning to see the reason why don’t go thinking I'll never leave 'Cause you won't be laughin' you won't believe (You better believe)

When I'm gone baby, gone Who's gonna hold you From dark until dawn And who will be there That can love you like me When I'm gone?

Your clothes are hanging on the floor my room is full of the night before and the promise you made to love me forever

Oh! You can't use me Then just up and leave You got it wrong You better believe If I walk out that door It's forever There's no turnin' back

When I'm gone baby, gone Who will you turn to When you need someone Who will be there to love you Do what I do When I'm gone...