Josephine’s ordeal had taken such a heavy toll on her that staying in Manchester was completely out of the question. She was unemployed and the small town brought back painful memories. After her breakup with Tim, there was nothing to keep her there or in her country. In truth, the young brunette’s options were limited: She could only hope that the job offer from the University of Paris still stood.

The following morning, she contacted Jan Pietrus, their director of human resources, with a very good excuse as to why she had practically abandoned them: she had had an issue with her father. It didn’t take her long to convince him. Pietrus accepted her apology and, much to Josephine’s relief, announced to her that the job offer still stood. There was one, minor problem:every flight out of Vermont, New York and New Jersey was booked for the next three days. She had to wait until Saturday.

On the morning of that cold, rainy day, she would meet with her good friend, Mona Silver. Josephine had already informed her of her decision and wanted to see her one last time.

“What a great day…” Mona whined, pushing her wet, graying hair back from her face. “My friend’s leaving the country and I’m getting soaked. Lovely…”

“Oh, my God…” Josephine whispered, covering her mouth with her hand. “Did you swim here? Come on in.”

“Thank you, my dear.” Mona attempted a polite tone, stepping into her friend’s living room. “Tell me more about that job in Paris.”

“There’s nothing much to tell.” Josephine pointed out. “They’re giving me eighteen months to finish my research. Then, I can teach at the University or do some more research on something else. It’s up to me.”

“That sounds great!” Mona said, her eyes wide open with admiration. “I’m really happy for you.”

A few slow steps to the left brought Josephine closer to her living room window.

“It’s the best thing for me right now.” She sighed, folding her arms across her chest.

“I really wish I was in that club that night.” Mona lowered her tone, looking at “Christine’s” club through her friend’s window. “I know; I wouldn’t be able to feel all the things you felt, but I’m just…” she paused. “Curious, you know?”

“That was the best night of my life.” Josephine whispered, gazing at the rain. “It was…”

“Magical.” Mona finished her sentence. “You’ve told me that story ten times already. Frankly? I get jealous every time I hear it.”

“Jealous?” A faint smile curved Josephine’s lips. “Why?”

“I’ve been with my Bill for more than fifteen years.” Mona spoke in a silvery voice. “We have two, great kids; we love each other very much. I wouldn’t change this for the world. But, I’ve always wondered what it would be like if I met someone who’d just…” She faltered,“Sweep me off my feet, like he did with you.”

“He did, Mona.” Josephine admitted. “He did everything he could to prove me wrong. He made me believe in him. And then he failed me. He’s a different man to me now.”

“You’re talking about a man who risked his life for you, sweetheart.” Mona spoke, turning her head to the right to face her: “Twice.”

“Mona, please!” Josephine begged, her voice quivering. “Don’t try to change my mind. This is my last day in the States for I don’t know how long. I don’t want to spend it arguing with you.”

“It would have been enough.” Mona’s voice became bass-deep, with a hint of change behind it.

“What?”

“The money that he stole for you,” she explained. “I did the math; we would need a little more than $560,000.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Josephine whispered, blinking back tears, as she turned her gaze to the window once more. “I’m going to France and he’s probably wound up right back where he wanted: breaking into people’s homes.”

“You’re being too harsh on him.” Mona remarked. “But, you’re right. It’s going to take us a while to see each other again. I don’t want to argue with you. When does your flight leave?”

“9:15.” Josephine was quick to reply. “All flights from Burlington were booked. JFK was my only choice.”

“Then JFK it is.” Mona smiled down at her. “I need to call Bill; let him know that he’ll have to pick up the kids from their grandma’s. Then, I’m all yours.”

“Go ahead.” Josephine encouraged. “Excuse me for a minute, will you? There’s something I need to do before we leave.”

Moving around her friend, she made it to her front door and stopped under her doorframe. Sadness pierced her ribs and squeezed her heart, as she glanced left, up at the blue, neon sign of “Christine’s” club.

“It’s tearing out my heart.” She thought to herself. And then, something incredible happened, something that made her feel the sorrow in her bones: The five words that she had just used were a direct quote from one of her favorite songs: Bon Jovi’s “(It’s Hard) Letting You Go”. It crept into her mind. In a split second, she could even hear the sad, keyboard introduction playing in her ears. She dropped her gaze from the sign, trying with all her might to fight back the tears, to no avail. Josephine squeezed her eyes shut, upon hearing the echoing drum beat. She took two, slow steps: she abandoned the warm, fuzzy feeling of her home. Thick raindrops landed on her long, brown hair. More of them soaked her face, as she slowly looked up at the sign once more.

“Our table, Tim; I want to see our table, one last time.” One more thought ran through her mind, as Jon Bon Jovi’s nasal voice filled her ears. Josephine stepped onto the road, unable to stop staring up at the sign, as more and more drops of water fell on her hair, her hands and her face. The torrential rain would not deter her. Walking down the narrow street, she recalled the night when she knocked on his door. Josephine’s tears mixed with raindrops, as “Christine’s” club got closer and closer…

It ain't no fun lying down to sleep And there ain't no secrets left for me to keep I wish the stars up in the sky Would all just call in sick And the clouds would take the moon out On some one-way trip

I drove all night down streets that wouldn't bend But somehow they drove me back here once again To the place I lost at love, and the place I lost my soul I wish I'd just burn down this place that we called home It would all have been so easy If you'd only made me cry And told me how you're leaving me To some organ grinder's lullaby

It's hard, so hard, it's tearing out my heart It's hard letting you go

Now the sky, it shines a different kind of blue And the neighbor's dog don't bark like he used to Well, me, these days I just miss you, it's the nights that I go insane Unless you're coming back for me That's one thing I know that won't change

It's hard, so hard, it's tearing out my heart It's hard letting you go

Now some tarot card shark said I'll draw you a heart And we'll find you somebody else new But I've made my last trip to those carnival lips When I bet all that I had on you

It's hard, it's hard, it's hard, so hard It's hard letting you go It's hard, so hard, it's tearing out my heart But it's hard letting you go

With the heartbreaking ballad still playing in her ears, Josephine lazily climbed the few steps that led to the front door, but did not stop there. She left it behind, making her way towards the window in the corner. A simple look through the window doubled her sorrow. The sight of their table, the empty chairs and the dark fireplace brought even more tears to her eyes.

“Look at them: all alone; empty and so, so dark. They’re like my heart: my heart without you, Tim. My life without you…”

Josephine put her head in her hands, as more tears spilled from her eyes. A cold sensation made her stomach chill with fear. Dropping her arms, she flipped around, only to realize that her friend had followed her.

“It’s time.” Mona silently mouthed to her. Overwhelmed by emotion, Josephine collapsed into her friend’s embrace, bursting into loud, wailing sobs. Closing her eyes, Mona put her arms around her back, as the rain pelted down around them.

“Let it out…” She whispered. “It helps.”

“God, it hurts so much…” Josephine sniffled, her body shaking violently, as two tears rolled off her face.

“I know, sweetheart…” Mona added, caressing her back. “I know.”

“Take me away…” A whisper of despair left her lips, as she leaned back. “Take me away from here.”