They're Going to Love You

by Meg Howrey

To teach is to hope.

“You know what’s more terrible than giving up a dream? To discover you haven’t.”

When I pick up a small, cinnamon-colored teddy bear he says, “Well, I think we better take him home with us.” I suggest that maybe this bear can sometimes sleep on his bed. “With you and James,” I say. He puts his hand on my shoulder and I know for certain we’ve made each other happy.

After you injure your body, the biggest temptation is to constantly test yourself for pain. Does this hurt? Does this? Does it hurt now? You want to poke and provoke.

It’s possible that by not telling people he’s dying, I’m hoarding the words. Emotion on a budget.

It’s the first book I’ll read that doesn’t have a happy ending. I hadn’t known you were allowed to do that, with stories.