The monitor emitted a longer beep. Not continuous yet, but fainter.
"I love you," I said, this time holding nothing back. "I love you with all that I am."
His lips moved one last time.
"I... I love you more."
And then his breathing changed.
It was subtle at first, like a longer sigh. His chest rose... and it took him a long time to get off. The sound of the monitor became unsteady, intermittent, until it finally spread out in a continuous line that pierced the air.
There was no drama, there was no violence. Just silence... A silence that occupied everything.
I stood there, with my forehead against his, holding his hand even when I was no longer squeezing mine. I waited a second. Two. Three. As if my mind needed to prove that it was real.
"Dad," I whispered.
But he was gone.
T
