“I’ll drive you,” he said. Before I walked out, I heard a familiar voice from inside the hallway.
“Noah,” it was Grace. Her eyes were red and swollen.
“Hey,” I said.
“She loved you. She might have never said it, but she did. She really did, she told me more than once how much she loved you,” said Grace, holding back her tears.
“I know she did, she didn’t forget to mention it, she said she loved me,” I said. There was a small smile from Grace and then she waved me goodbye.
Mr. Sanders drove slowly out of his driveway. I could see him struggling to tell me something. He stopped outside my house and stopped me from opening the door.
“Noah,” he said.
I turned back and gave him all my attention.
“Thank you,” he mumbled. “Thank you for making my little girl happy all these years,” he said.
“No problem, it’s those memories with her that will make me happy,” I said.
Mr. Sanders waved goodbye and off he went. I carried the cardboard box and placed it on top of my bed. I stared at it for a few minutes, thinking how long it would have taken her to make this beautiful white star. I looked for the correct way to open it and felt a few smaller boxes on its inside. I opened the star far enough for me to see its interior. The first thing I noticed was the letter. A curled up piece of paper wrapped around a red string. Amber had filled the star with photos of our camping trip and little photographs of her and me since we met. Every photo had a small description to it and her signature at the very bottom followed by an ‘I love you, Noah.’ I couldn’t stop smiling as I looked at all the photos. I loved her. I loved her more than anything.
I grabbed the letter and began reading.
Dear Noah,
I don’t like goodbyes. I’d figure it’d say goodbye through here, but that wouldn’t be fair. Think of this as a ‘see you later.’ This star is my way of saying thank you. Thank you for making me happy. Thank you for being you, and for allowing me to by myself! Go on and have a happy, long lasting live. I will guide you from up here. Think of me as a star, a bright shiny star that will always look after you.
I will save a spot for you up here next to me and Ernest. He can’t wait for us to take him on a walk. Take good care of yourself and keep making those you love as happy as they can be. I will love you forever.
Amber,
Amber's Star Page 21
