ONE YEAR LEFT TO LIVE
om me, sipping his coffee and discussing business with my father. I felt a pang of disappoi
t your company," my father said
replied, launching into a detaile
garden. I thought we had connected, that there was something more
ned to me and smiled. "Thanks for joining u
ing a sting of rejecti
elp but ask, "So, Jackson, is that al
. "Yeah, I'm afraid so. I'm trying to
ustration. "Well, congratulations. You'
I saw a glimmer of something more. But then it
ilia
Suddenly, the words burst o
on's eyes widened in shock,
u talking about?" my
y heart pounding, waiting
e room. "Oh, Cecilia, you're a riot!" He chuckled, shaking hi
oming. "Cecilia, sweetie, you're so
joking. I was dead serious. But they just thought
o much - although he was charming and handsome. It was just that...I wanted to experie
died. Travel, see the world, fall in love. And now, it
with tears. "Excuse me," I mu
ed, sobbing. It wasn't fair. I was only 18. I shouldn't have to worr
r. And I knew that
never get to do. I would never get to go to colle
ght was the s