Choose Me

by Tess Gerritsen

Sometimes there are no second chances at happiness. Sometimes, merely being content with your life is enough.

“When someone says they love you, it should mean forever,” she said. “It should be something you can count on, something you can stake your life on.

“Because feeling uncomfortable is what a college education is all about—being exposed to disturbing aspects of human experience. We’re talking about twentysomething adults who are exposed to a lot worse in the daily news. I’m not going to infantilize them.”

“But it’s a reflection of real life. Even if lovers are destined to meet, even if they’re destined to fall in love, what they do next is of their own free will. People are ultimately responsible for their own actions.” She looked straight at Jack. “And for the consequences they suffer because of those actions.”

But that is the nature of tragedy. You go through life never appreciating the joy of a normal day until the instant it’s gone.