"I can't."

by [pens&feathers]

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Three years ago, today, we were swinging in the hammock in our back yard. There was a diamond on my finger, and a blanket around my shoulders. I had my head on your chest.

That was back when you still had a heartbeat. It was pulsing softly in my ear.

The epitome of a balmy summer.

It’s nights like those that make you feel invincible. You’re never going to die, not when you’re out enjoying a night full of stars. Not when you’re almost married. Not when everything is utterly perfect.

Well, that night, you said to me, “Reality is what’s happening now.”

You were always so philosophical. You said to me, “Maybe you’re just dreaming and in five more minutes, you’re going to wake up.”

I knew what was coming.

You said to me, “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

I lift my ear off your beating heart and finger the ring. I never told you this, but you had this picture of me that I could never fit. I could never be perfect for you. And it was killing me.

I put the ring in your hand.

“I can’t,” I whispered.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. "I can't."

    flute faerie's Buddy Icon flute faerie

    Posted 9 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Awww, how sad. and sweet. and good.

  2. "I can't."

    [pens&feathers]'s Buddy Icon [pens&feathers]

    Posted 9 months ago

    Thanks! Also, thanks to everyone who followed these. This was quite a bit harder than I thought!

  3. "I can't."

    `crayola.'s Buddy Icon `crayola.

    Posted 9 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    this nearly made me cry. also it reminds me of a relationship of my best friend. great writing.

  4. "I can't."

    someday_93's Buddy Icon someday_93

    Posted 9 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    Oh, it did make me cry! Aww! I hadn’t been thinking that it was her who broke off the engagement…but maybe I just wasn’t paying close enough attention. At any rate, this whole series was great, it really made me want to keep reading!
    And yeah, I did it too, and it is a lot harder then it looks to work backwards! You guys who are reading these should try it too!
    LoA

  5. "I can't."

    Flute Loop<33's Buddy Icon Flute Loop<33

    Posted 9 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    omg. all of these were awesome!! I cant even decribe how much i loved them! I would have entered, but i sort of have writers block right now.

  6. "I can't."

    artistsrunwild's Buddy Icon artistsrunwild

    Posted 9 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    [pens&feathers] – one of the best emotional stories I have read in a long time and I read a lot of sad books so hats off to you!

    This was truly lovely and so heartfelt. A perfect explanation to his death and the reason she broke off the engagement. A well together little series. Well done!

    Thanks for entering

  7. "I can't."

    wytherwings' Buddy Icon wytherwings

    Posted 8 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    aww, its so sad, and so beautiful! these are amazing

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