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| Chapter 22 Josie spent a few more days in the hospital. She was only home for a week when she went back to work - crutches and all. She said that she had to get out of the house because Sky was driving her crazy. Before they knew it, a year had come and gone. Josie and Matt were dating exclusively and Sky saw Jeff as much as possible. It wasn’t long after that Matt proposed to Josie who gleefully accepted. They had a small, simple wedding at Jeff’s house in Cameron. One dark and gloomy night, Sky was driving to see Jeff at a show in Little Rock. Her cell phone rang but she couldn’t retrieve it from the bottom of her purse in time to pick it up before her voice mail got it. She checked her messages. "Hey! We’re about to go on. I’m worried about you. Where are you? Call me. I love you." Sky smiled as she heard Jeff’s voice. It was snowing so hard by that time that she could hardly see where she was going. She called Jeff’s cell phone and left him a message. "The weather is getting really bad, so it’s taking me forever to get there. But I’m on my way. I’m about thirty miles away. Be careful in the ring. I’ll see you in a bit. I love you. Bye." She couldn’t wait to see him. But, as fate would have it, she would never see him again. She dropped her phone into the seat beside her and looked back up just in time to see the back of a diesel truck coming towards her at full speed. All she could do was hit the breaks and scream. Quicker then the blink of an eye, her car plowed into the truck, killing her instantly. The tears streamed from Jeff’s eyes as he knelt down next to the freshly covered grave. Matt held Josie as they stood behind him. He placed a bouquet of lilies in front of the headstone. He smiled slightly as he read the words that were inscribed there: We lost you from our lives, But in our hearts you will remain forever. "I’ll never love anyone like I loved you.", he whispered as he ran his hand across those words. He walked over to Josie and hugged her tightly, both of them sobbing. They somewhat pulled themselves together and went back to Matt and Josie’s house. Jeff sat staring out the window, his mind flooded with memories of Sky. He wondered if she ever really knew how much he loved her. Had he told her enough? Had he really made her happy? Questions that would never be answered were plaguing his every thought. Matt was sorting through the buckets and buckets of mail. He stopped and turned white as a ghost as he stared at the letter in his hand. "What is it?", Josie asked puzzled at Matt’s reaction. "It’s from Sky.", he managed to say as he still stared at the large brown envelope, "It’s addressed to all of us." "What?!?! That’s a sick joke Matt.", Jeff yelled at his brother. "No, really. Look.", he said handing the envelope to Jeff. Confusion overcame him as he ripped it open. Inside were three envelopes - one addressed to each of them. They all stared at them as if they were afraid to open them. "Well, I’m opening mine.", Josie insisted, grabbing hers. They each opened their letters and began to read them. "Dear Jeff, If you are reading this letter, then that means I am gone. I asked my lawyer to mail this if anything ever happened to me. So many times, things are left unsaid and I didn’t want it to be like that. I want you to know how much you meant to me. You completely changed my life. I had given up on love and on myself for that matter, until I met you. I love you with all of my heart. And, yes, I know how much you love me. Don’t doubt that for a minute. No one ever loved me like you did. Keep an eye on Josie for me, you know how she can be. Don’t be sad when you remember me, be happy. Remember all of the good times and just how very much I loved you. We’ll meet again one day. Forever, Your Midnight Sky" "Dear Josie, If you are reading this letter, then that means I am gone. I asked my lawyer to mail this if anything ever happened to me. So many times, things are left unsaid and I didn’t want it to be like that. I don’t want you to ever think that I regretted raising you. I loved every minute of it. You were my life and I love you so much. I want you to be happy. Love Matt with all of your heart and let him love you. He’s a great guy and I know that you two can make each other happy. Take care of Jeff for me. He’s probably having a hard time right now. Just make sure that he knows that he meant the world to me. And that he can go on without me. Don’t be sad when you remember me, be happy. Remember all of the good times and how very much I loved you. We’ll meet again one day. Forever, Sky" "Dear Matt, If you are reading this letter, then that means I am gone. I asked my lawyer to mail this if anything ever happened to me. So many times, things are left unsaid and I didn’t want it to be like that. Josie really needs you right now. Be strong for her. And if you ever doubted her love for you, don’t. She loves you with all that she is. I know we kind of started out on the wrong foot, which you have to admit was pretty funny. But I want you to know that I grew to think of you as a brother, something I never had. I love you for that and for loving Josie. Please take care of Josie and Jeff for me. I know you will. I know Jeff is hurting and she is too. Never let them forget how much I loved them. Don’t be sad when you remember me, be happy. Remember all of the good times. And remember that morning that you walked into my kitchen. It still makes me laugh. We’ll meet again one day. Forever, Sky" They were all crying. Matt suddenly burst with laughter. Josie and Jeff looked at him like he had lost his mind. "That was pretty funny.", he said. "What are you talking about?", Josie asked. "She reminded me of that morning when I came out of your room.", he said still laughing. Josie and Jeff thought for a moment and then they also started laughing. They spent the rest of the day sharing their memories of Sky. Some of them made them cry, but others made them laugh. Just the way Sky would have wanted it. THE END Last Chapter ..*.. Chapter Index ..*.. Home |