Dear Derek,

You know I loved you. I know you knew that. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you knew that. You hinted that you knew, and then you stepped out of my life without looking back. Before you, I didn’t want to get married, I didn’t want children, I surely didn’t want to attempt another relationship with someone who was a different religion, race, political background…everything. But you challenged me. You were a refreshing breeze to my stagnant soul. I wanted to sacrifice everything to be with you.

And now you’re gone. You just left, with broken promises about keeping in touch and staying friends. You said you’d visit and you’d invite me to visit, but you didn’t. Everything between us just stopped.

It’s been over a year and I still wonder when the day will come when I don’t think about you. I can’t even hate you; I love you too much.

Save me?

Julie, age 27