Chapter 19

Salene walked into her room. She smiled, as the other woman followed, holding her hand. As they both
walked into Salene’s room, she shut the door, and turned off all of the lights. Salene turned to the other
woman. “Are you okay? Or do you need a minute to get used to things?” She asked. The other woman
shook her head no. “I’m fine Salene. I just, I’m still trying to get used to the fact that you and I can and
will finally be together after all of this time. I’m just, I’m so glad that I’ve got you.” She said softly. Salene
smiled. “You don’t have to worry, May. I’m not going anywhere. You and I are as one person. I am yours
always, that’s all there is to it.” Salene smiled at May again. “This time it’s for keeps.” She said, pulling a
necklace off of her neck, and handing it to May. “This belonged to my brother, Marco. He would’ve wanted
me to share it with someone I love.” Salene said, and then she turned away a few moments, as a tear fell
from her eye, as she missed her brother. “I miss him, and I wish that he was here right now.” Salene said.

May looked at Salene, staying silent but watching her friend’s expression as she put the necklace on.
“Salene, you shouldn’t be sad. I know that Marco wouldn’t want you to cry. He wouldn’t want you to
miss out on your life, because of the fact that he can’t be here to live it with you. Besides, how do you
even know that he is dead? Did you see him die?” When Salene shook her head no, May nodded. “Then
what you need to do is stay positive. You need to think that Marco’s alive, and that you’ll see him again
someday. I mean, what is there to live for, if not hope?” May asked, as she scooted closer to Salene, and
wiped the tears off the other woman’s face. “We all need to believe in something, so I think the best thing
would be, to believe that everyone we miss, with the exception for those who are dead, that they are alive.”

Salene looked up, and at May. “I know May, but you don’t understand. I have Ryan back, but now I just
realized that I am right back where I started, on my search for my brother. I mean, I can’t give up, and I
won’t, because Marco is my brother, and I love him. Also, because I know that he would, and is probably
doing the same, by looking for me.” Salene said softly. May nodded, and then she hugged her friend. “I’m
here for you, Sal, always. I hope you know that.” May said. Salene nodded, and she slowly turned away
from May. “I need to be alone for a little while.” She said, and then got up, heading right back out of the
room. May sighed, as she watched Salene walk out of the door. She wondered what was going on inside
of Salene’s head. May watched as the door closed, and she lied back down on the bed, wishing for the
thousandth time, that things weren’t so screwed up. She rolled over in the bed, and fell asleep again.

Salene sighed softly, as she walked around the boat. A moment later, she heard someone approach
her. Salene turned around, and was surprised, when she came face-to-face, with Ryan. “Ryan?” She
asked, shock written all over her face. Ryan looked at his wife, and smiled. “I really missed you. You
are the one thing that got me through all those bad times in the camps. The thought of you, was the
only thing that kept me alive and going for as long as I was. I mean, just the thought of being able
to see you, and all of the others again. I wanted to make sure that nothing would stand in my way of
that goal.” Ryan said honestly. Salene smiled, and then she hugs Ryan. “We need to talk.” She said.
Ryan looked at his wife. “What’s wrong?” He asked. Salene looked away from Ryan for a few moments.
“I’m with May now. I hope you understand.” She said. Ryan nods, before getting up and walking away.