On his way to put the box back, his eyes caught on a small something on the floor. He quickly looked back at it, picking it up as well; a folded piece of paper.
As he opened it, he realized that he didn’t know the handwriting; though he did have a vague feeling he’d seen it once or twice before.
“My love,” it read, “I know this isn’t a very manly thing, but I wanted to show you just how much I love you.” His free hand shot up and held the necklace through his shirt, Lillith had written it, he was sure of it. He continued to read eagerly as his chest seemed to tighten at the thought of the words being written by her. “I have this feeling that something bad is going to happen soon. So just know, I love you,so muchwith all my heart no matter what,” he nearly laughed at how the paper creased where she’d crossed her words out, as if she thought they weren’t good enough, “If this bad thing is what I think it is, don’t mourn for too long. Find someone else. Please love. I don’t want you sad on my account. I love you so very much, Lillith.”
His eyes fixed onto her name. She knew she was going to die. A droplet hit the paper and he quickly wiped his eyes; he promised he wouldn’t cry anymore.
“Are you ready sweet – Oh? What is that?” His mother walked over and took the paper from his hands; reading over it. “Oh,” was all that she could say. She could tell too. Lillith knew she was going to die, yet still bought his dad’s lie about needing to buy a gift.
Without so much as a sniff, he grabbed the box back off the edge of the dresser, snatched the letter back from his mother, and left the room; Daneese on his heels.
She knew. She knew she was going to die, but still followed a complete stranger to wherever he wanted to go. He couldn’t get the thought from his head, no matter how hard he tried.
Getting into his car, he made sure to wait for his mom to get in before speeding out of the humongous driveway and down the deserted road.
The whole way to the cemetery, all of Justan’s thoughts were focused on how she knew. Once there though, his mind went blank. Quickly, he walked to her “section” and froze. There she was, the love of his life, right next to her mother; dead.
He could feel it as he put the box on the granite headstone, stuffed the letter in his pocket, and muttered “Happy Birthday”; it was time to let go and move on. He didn’t cry, didn’t even tear up, it was what she’d wanted. She wanted him to let go; and so that’s exactly what he did, for her.
And on the drive back home, he cracked a smile for the very first time since her death. Once your heart is sold, there are no refunds; and he knew that now.
So, even though he would never be with another woman, even though he’d stay alone unlike she’d wanted, he would be happy.
Because now he knew that she had sold her heart to him as well, and that was all he needed.
-The End-
Auctioned Page 16