The Roman Colosseum.
Thousands of years of history were hidden between those columns, whispering between those walls, and even half-destroyed it still looked like the king of the world. The lights strategically placed, illuminated each of the windows from the inside, with the blue lights on the ground.
Pictures were a poor representation of the Colosseum, and no matter how much I’d read about it, how much I’d dreamed of being here one day—both for Sophie and myself—nothing came close to the real thing.
And I wasn’t the only one staring up in awe. I looked to my left, then to my right, and saw several other people just gaping at the tall building, mesmerized by its eternal beauty. Earthquakes, storms, rain and snow, it all kept hitting it over the years, but it still stood proud, still in the heart of Rome.
“You would’ve loved this, Sophie,” I spoke softly, my words traveling on the wings of the wind. “You would’ve begged me to stay here forever.”
I took a couple of steps closer, folding the map and putting it into my back pocket.
These buildings defied time and human touch, and still stood strong, telling a thousand stories that happened here.
Love and heartbreak.
Pain and happiness.
They were all etched into the walls of this structure, and now the story of Sophie’s love for this city was there as well.
I came as close as I could to the wall, my hands itching to touch the stone, but with the fence separating me from it, I knew I couldn’t reach it. Instead, I pulled out the worn-out paper from my front pocket and unfolded it.
The ink faded over time, but I could still make out the letters.
Sophie’s Bucket List.
Something clawed at my insides, my hands shaking even more as the first tear dropped on top of the paper, right where her final wish stood.
Visit the Colosseum.
“We did it, Soph.” I laughed. “We finally fucking did it.”
I looked down at the small tattoo of the sun, faded and more green than black now, and the thing I haven’t felt in years started blooming inside of me.
Peace.
“I hope you’re happy, darling,” I murmured as I started tearing up the aged paper. “I hope you’re smiling every single day, because that’s how I remember you. Smiling, happy, full of love.” Another piece torn, another part of me released. “I still see you in my dreams, Sophie. I still feel you in my veins.”
The final piece of the paper stared back at me. “I know you were always there with me, but I think it’s time for you to go.”
I looked up into the night sky and into the walls of the Colosseum. “I’m setting you free, Soph. I’m letting you go.”
And with one final look at the torn pieces of paper, I slowly let them go from my hand, letting them fall on the ground, right next to the Colosseum.
“I am finally letting you go,” I smiled. “I hope you’re still skating somewhere up there.”
I took a step back, then another one and another, putting a distance between me and the building. I turned to the right and started walking toward the entrance, where the rest of the people were waiting to enter as well.
I couldn’t wait to tell Ember about it all.
EPILOGUE
Years Later
A voice woke me up.
Did Ember, Damien, and little Riley stay over?I thought.
Last night, all three of them came to check up on me. Ember played it off as a social visit, but I could see the worry lining around her eyes. Ever since she found me on the floor in my living room after I had a stroke, she’d been begging me to move closer to them.
