He sighed and turned towards the door. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too, and I’m here in spirit if you need me.” He gave a sharp nod and then showed himself out of the apartment. It didn’t escape my notice that when he hit the hallway he turned his head and looked longingly at the doorway where my pretty neighbor lived.

This was a mess that had just gotten even messier. But for once I knew it wasn’t all on me to clean it up. I wanted everyone I loved to have their own happy and to live their best lives possible, but I knew now that it wasn’t up to me to take them by the hand and lead them there. They had to find their own way, just like I had found mine and Church had found his. That didn’t mean I was going to stop lighting the way to all the good things I knew were waiting out there. That was intrinsically part of who I was. I was simply done being the one holding the torch.

The sun was a trillion, billion, million miles away from the Earth and every day we managed to feel its warmth. That would have to be true for those that I loved while I went and lived my own version of the fairy tale I’d always wanted. My story wasn’t perfect but the ending was and that was all that mattered.

Good things did come to those who were willing to wait.