CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE — THE SECOND GOODBYE

They met at the same old place.

The tree behind the school.

The place where they had said goodbye years earlier.

David looked at Marilyn.

“It feels like we've been here before.”

She smiled sadly.

“We have.”

“I don't want to leave.”

“But you have to.”

“I know.”

She looked at him.

“Go.”

“What?”

“Go and become the man you dreamed of becoming.”

David smiled.

“You'll wait?”

Marilyn looked at him.

“I won't promise forever.”

David's heart sank.

She continued:

“But I'll promise to keep writing our story.”

He hugged her.

And once again, their movie paused.