Did I underestimate her or overestimate her? She was strong. She smiled often. I loved her smile and her laugh. It’s not like I wanted to hurt her, but I just didn’t feel the same anymore. Maybe I should have tried harder I didn’t think she would take it so hard.

The thoughts circled in his head. He remembered the shock when he’d heard she had taken her own life. He went four days not noticing anything. He might have gone even farther had he not collapsed from hunger.

Here now,in a fresh pressed Italian suit surrounded by people sobbing, the reality of the entire situation began to sink in. He looked ahead where the minister was preaching, the words not really reaching him. Behind him was the mahaogany casket decked with black dahlias and lilies. She was in there. Soon she would be gone forever and she would never smile or laugh for him again.

Why was life so cruel? He wondered

I never wanted you to die for me. He thought

He began to cry.