Saved you from being smothered

by the man who gave us air.

Saved you from everything.

I wish you could have seen

how great the world could be,

if you soared high above the life we knew

and flew away into the clouds.

I wish that you could have found your wings.

I’m sorry you never did.

I’ll try my best to fly high for the both of us.

Live the life we should have always had.

Goodbye Ellis.

I hope one day I’ll see you again.

With a deep breath, I roll up the paper and stuff it into the bottle. Then I put the cork into the top and walk forward until the water rolls over my feet.

“Goodbye,” I whisper then chuck the bottle toward the waves, watching it fly away.

I keep my eyes on it as it bobs up and down, finally disappearing out of my sight.

Ryler joins me, twining our fingers together. He leans forward and mouths, Are you okay?

I nod, grip onto him tight, and stand on my tiptoes to kiss him. “You know what? I really think I am,” I tell him when I move back.

And it’s the truth.

Because for the first time ever, it feels like I’ve finally found my wings.