_{Five years later}

Time flies when your life seems to drone on and on.

Liam is now 15 and is been doing great in high school. The only problem is how he had few friends…the workings of what happens when you have AIDS . But he still had Addy, thankfully. The “Meanie Girl” of 1st grade ended up being his closest friend. They’ve gotten so close that now she reminds him to take his AZT when he forgets. If they could get any closer they’d be dating.

As for my beautiful Hazel….she’s practically been in the hospital all these five years. Every time she would come home shortly after she’d get sick and would have to go back.

But she still wore that engagement ring, which waited patiently for a real wedding band to join it.

But the words from Hazel’s doctor still ring in my head, like some sort of warning bell:

Joel…I’m sorry….but there’s nothing else we can do but hope she’ll get better. But as of now every new day is hit-and-miss for her. I’d think about saying all last words to her soon.