Coming Down

Say Goodbye

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Chapter Nine: Say Goodbye

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On the eleventh morning, I woke up on the couch.

My neck was stiff and it cracked when I stretched. I looked to my side, seeing Geoff. He gave me a weak smile, a cup of coffee in his hands.

“Millie wanted to talk to you.”

I swallowed nervously and stood up. He gestured towards the hallway.

“She’s in your room. She woke up last night and went there, in case you came back. She fell asleep.”

I nodded and made my way to the hall, gently pushing my door open.

Millie was asleep, curled up in the middle of the bed with tear stains on her cheeks. I wondered how long she waited, before falling asleep.

I sat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking it gently. Her eyes fluttered open and her eyes focused on me. She sat up slowly and wrapped her arms around me.

“I fell asleep.”

I gave a small laugh.

“Yeah, you did kiddo.” She looked up at me, her eyes clouding over.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were sick Gav?”

I froze and looked away. She spoke again, her voice quavering.

“You said you were okay Gav, why did you lie?” She sniffed and I heard her give a small sob.

I gave her a firm hug, letting her cry on me.

“Because I didn’t want you to be upset, like you are now… I wanted you to be happy and all smiles.”

I wiped my own eyes and then hugged her again.

“Will you please be strong for me Millie?”

She nodded in my shoulder.

“Okay Gav… I can do it.”

I kissed the top of her head and then ruffled her hair.

“I know you can. I have to go to work now, okay?”

She nodded and then pulled away.

“You’ll say goodbye before you go, right?”

“Isn’t that what I’m doing now?”

She shook her head.

“No, I mean before you go for real. You’ll say goodbye, won’t you?”

I stiffened, but I managed a nod.

“Of course I will. I’m going to work now, alright kiddo?”

She hugged me one last time.

“Remember to say goodbye when you go.”

“I will, Millie. I will.”

I had been holding these tears in. But the moment I was out of that room and in the car with Geoff, I was crying like a baby.

I was leaving everything behind, all because of some stupid words.