The Lies He Told Me (Grace and Antonio)

"Antonio, are you really not going abroad with me?" Laney asked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

Antonio shook his head. He had grown accustomed to a simple, humble life. Plus, living so far from Grace felt too difficult for him. He knew that even though he would always care for her, he no longer mattered Laney settled abroad, while Antonio continued to live quietly in the mountains. Three years later, he passed away. He hadn't left with Laney because he had known, deep down, that his time was running out. The doctors had told him that though he appeared strong, his vitality was gone.

In his final days, Antonio made a quiet trip to see Grace one last time. It was the day she went to pick up the children from school. She walked toward him, one hand holding each of her kids, who bounced along "Hey, why did that man start crying after smiling?" the boy asked, pointing at Antonio.

Flustered, Antonio quickly stepped back into the alley. A quick glance was all he needed. He didn't want Grace to see him weeping.

Grace was puzzled but patted her son's head, trying to case his confusion.

"Maybe he just had something in his eye. Let's go home now, your dad has dinner ready for us."

Antonio watched them leave, before heading in the opposite direction.

"Grace, I wish you a lifetime of happiness, each year better than the one

pom

the wind, his voice

season. He lay in bed, watching the breeze move through the trees outside his window, and his thoughts drifted back to the girl who had smiled with her "Antonio,

will be there for your mother, walking

smile lighting

his hand, rubbing it over and over as if grounding himself to

life, will you marry me again?

perfect ring

in his heart that this

him with their parents.

Antonio had written about

his belongings, she

heart as the years went on. Laney cried uncontrollably as she read, heartbroken for her brother. She had always appeared to be doing well, but there was always a thorn. She felt responsible for destroying his happiness. If she hadn't interfered, Antonio wouldn't have left so soon. He had

seemed to heal her pain. Eventually, she went to Africa, working as a volunteer, seeing the suffering of so many children and helping as best she could. She finally died in a war zone, saving a child. She was just 32, never

work, while there, heard someone mention the