Unwillingly I start walking away

Only to be held back by weights

Pushing my feelings away

With all the strength I could muster

I walk but the weights wear me down

Before I know it they start to get lighter

And walking becomes easier

I heard the screams

Telling me to turn around

I know what he did

And I’m not falling for that mistake

Not again.

Just as I reach the end of the tunnel

He stands in front of me

“You love me right?”

I nod.

“If you love me, you’d come back.”

My mind fills with anger.

“If you love me, you would be walking with me!”

A tear streams down my cheek.

“Guess that makes me the bad guy, huh?”

The weights come off and I start running

I don’t look back and his voice fades.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

A bit saddened by the loss of family.

Yet excited to see what my future has in store.

I see a parade of close family and friends

They all cheer when I walk up to them.

I know what love looks like.

And I won’t sacrifice it once more.

For the sake of others.

No.

I’m happy, I’m healthy, I’m free.

And that’s all that matters.