CHAPTER TEN — THE LAST DAY

The final day arrived too quickly.

We sat under the old tree behind the school.

Neither of us spoke.

Finally, Marilyn said:

“Remember our promise?”

“Yes.”

“Don't forget me.”

“I won't.”

“Even if you find new friends?”

“Never.”

She smiled through her tears.

I wanted to say something powerful.

Instead, I said:

“I wish our movie didn't have an ending.”

She looked at me.

“Maybe this isn't the ending.”

“Then what is it?”

“Just an intermission.”

She hugged me.

And for the first time, I understood that sometimes the best scenes are also the most painful.