What I Should've Said

by Max Monroe

Maybe a little Norah Ellis in your lives is exactly what you need. That’s what I’m afraid of.

“Falling in love with Summer is what’s gonna end all of us, Ben. But I guarantee you, it’ll be worth it, even then.”

“We’re going to love Summer with all that we have until we can’t anymore. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Summer’s pain has finally stopped. And because of that, the rest of us know a hurt that’ll never end.

I hug her like it’s the first and the last hug I’ll ever give her. Because it is. My Summer is gone. But by the grace of God, so is her pain.

Hi, Daddy. Hello, my sweet Summblebee. By God, I have missed you. It’s hard to let go, isn’t it? Fuck. It sure is for me. You’re the best dad on the planet, and every time I think of leaving you, I don’t want to go. But now that Norah’s here, I feel like I can. She’ll take care of you, and you’ll take care of her, and hopefully up in heaven, someone will take care of me. And it’s okay if you’re scared because I’m scared too. Just like you always said, it’s okay to be scared sometimes because sometimes the best stuff happens right after the scary part leaves. And well, I’m thinking that, for you, this is a really scary part, being without me. But that means the good part is coming. Don’t miss it, Dad, okay? Get to the good part. And if you can’t do it for you, do it for me. Love you forever, Summer