My Rose…my wife.
Her eyes were wide as they stared at my face.
“I’m sorry.” Tears flowed over my cheeks as the feeling of helplessness settled over me. There was nothing I could do. I looked down at the knife plunged into her stomach and began to weep harder.
“I love you.” My eyes moved back to her face, and I saw her looking at me with tears flooding her gaze. We both knew she was dying, that there was no fixing this wound.
“It wasn’t enough time.” I shook my head. We knew one day I would outlive her, but this? I thought we would have more time. I needed more time. I’d prayed for many years for time to end and take me with it, but now all I could think of was my need for more.
“Be with me till our time runs out.” Her hand was trying to reach mine, but she was weak. Instantly I wrapped my free hand around hers. Opening myself up to her, I felt her fears, her sadness, and her love.
“I’ll always be with you, no matter how long you live, old man.” She tried to smile but a cough shook her, blood tinging the edges of her mouth.
“My love…” I was breaking with every shallow breath she took.
I’d seen this future before it came to be, that losing her would be the end of me. I’d never recover.
She didn’t speak but pushed the entirety of her love into me until it filled me, drawing a sob from my chest.
“I promise I’ll find a way to you, my wife,” I vowed.
“I love you so—” She tried to say more, but her body was giving up. I held her hand, feeling everything she felt, when suddenly all emotions were gone.
My wife was dead.
