She signed into her e-mail account. The page loaded, seeming to take longer than usual. Anticipation mounted. Her heart raced. Did he write back?

Finally, the screen appeared.

“Inbox (0)”

Her heart sunk. Nothing.

Not one damn message.

Yes, she had let him down. She had dumped him and she told him not to reply. She took the coward’s way out. Again.

Remorse.

At the time she sent that e-mail, she truly didn’t want him to say anything back. It was already hard enough, sending that virtual “Dear John” letter. Reading his wounded words would only make it more difficult for her.

Selfishness.

She hadn’t expected him to stay away; something she would admit to no one. Previous attempts to end their relationship, he had come back. He had questioned her. He had expressed his feelings in the long-winded, emotionally profuse way that was uniquely his. That way about him – his ability to express – was something she loved.

Something she loved and something she missed.

Yet, she knew she had no other choice.