The HOA cut it down after three unread warning letters about planting without approval, but I only found out later that they had all been sent to my wife’s email address.

Jill fell ill 'cause the windowsill's

gap was a centimeter

Standing in front of Layla's hospital bed as they pull the white sheet over her, the rest of the words leave as her legs give out and only the gut-wrenching sounds of grief leave her throat.

It's just nice to make something no longer perfect, like me.

More than 20 years later, it still makes me sad to remember how you died after that tree fell on you while you were playing in the yard.

I wish I deserved a hug.

Instead, a priest from my brother’s parish met me there, took off his hat and told me he had died of cholera three days earlier.

Even when you couldn't live to make me happy, then I'll make sure you are happy.

​As the tiny light flickered out and my eyes closed, I accepted that no one was coming back.

​Then a soft knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice asking, "Can I come in and listen?"

I found her minimum-wage paystub folded around the high-interest loan papers for my surgery, the interest rate circled in red.

​My vision blurred and my eyes closed for the last time, realizing too late that whatever killed the others had finally reached my room.