Ethan suddenly reacted.
He shoved Olivia aside without a second thought and bolted after her.
"Emily, don't go!"
"Ethan!"
"Ethan!" Behind him, his mother and Olivia called out at the same time.
Ethan sprinted to the community exit, only to watch the car slip into the flow of traffic and disappear.
"Emily!" He shouted at the empty road.
*****
Inside the car, Emily leaned back against the seat and slowly closed her eyes.
Images she hadn't touched in years surfaced without permission.
*"Emily, I'm going abroad. You won't be able to see me as often. You have to take care of yourself, okay?"*
*"Ethan, can you not leave? I don't want you to go."*
*"Does Emily want to be with me forever?"*
*"Yes."*
*"Then when you grow up… will you marry me? That way we'll never have to be apart."*
*"Okay!"*
*"Do you really mean it?"*
*"Yes. As long as I can be with you, I'm willing!"*
*"Then it's a promise. Emily will wait for me."*
