Three years after his death, my ex-husband and my son met at the airport.

Three years after I announced my death due to illness.

My son ran into Ryan Hayes, who had just returned to the country, at the airport.

He let Ryan lead him along, blinking his eyes and speaking to him, "Uncle, you look just like my dad."

Ryan squatted down, smiling as he ruffled his hair. "But your mom didn't choose me in the end, did she?"

1.

Today was my fifth anniversary with Ryan, and his idealized first love, Serena, suffering from depression, called again.

Her voice was soft and sweet, as if it held a magic, easily stirring up deep memories and emotions within Ryan.