I Swallowed Real Poison to Escape

Before the sterile lights of the operating room flared to life, I tucked my final letter under Cheryl’s pillow.

"Cheryl,"

"I wanted so badly to stay by your side forever."

"But Mom and Dad work so hard for every dollar. I couldn’t bear to watch them drain their life savings just to keep me on treatment."

"And the chemo hurts so much. My hair is entirely gone, and I don't even recognize the hollow boy looking back at me in the mirror anymore."

"I saved up some money from my allowance—it’s under your mattress. Please use it to buy that heated massage chair for Mom and Dad.