I imagined it. Saw you standing in the mist, breathing into your hands, a red stocking cap on. You said, I’m cold. Told me you were freezing. Snow covered the plaid coat you were wearing.

We walked through the forest. Pines shimered in white and green. Birches with chipped bark seemed like old friends. Our feet made paths.

Dogs howled in the distance. An owl sat in a tree. You took my hand. Nightfall came.

A fire was built. Brilliant colors of orange and blue rose in the flames from the chopped oaks and hickory. We sat side by side. You only coughed a little. Seemed like you were barely sick at all. A bottle of chianti was passed between us. Your body was warmed by it. This is what you wanted. A final goodbye. Just the two of us. The pills were taken, and a kiss was had. It was time.

Cancer sucks, you said. We laughed. You hugged me and fell asleep. Never to awake. Goodbye, my dear love. Goodbye.