I open up the vintage tea box from the cabinet. One bag left. Peppermint Tea. I boiled tthe water. It rushed in the kettle like the ocean. I got out a mug from my grandmother. Fine china. Inscribed it said, "Save me a seat at your wedding". I was single still. Twenty-five, and my grandmother had passed three years ago. I pour the tea and set out an empty up next to mine. I like to think she is sitting beside me sometimes, but the glass is always empty. The lights dim in my apartment as a storm brews outside. The peppermint sharpens my senses and for an instant I felt I could see her, reaching for me. But it vanishes as the phone rings. I answer to the sound of her breathing. Grandmother. I hang up, startled. I go to the cabinet where my empty tea box is, and reach for it. I open it up and gasp. The once empty tea box was now filled with my peppermint tea. There was a note. It read, "Don't forget the honey." Next to the tea bags there was a jar of clover honey. Peppermint tea, what else can you do?

going into February 14, I can say gladly, I'm single and rid of you. It took me a while to be able to say that,but I didn't always think being without you was the greatest. The day you broke up with me, I cried more than I should have. It was a one sided relationship, I was your arm candy. I hated you after that, and sometimes I still do. I met your new girlfriend and she is crazy. She seems good for you, like you're the same species. The day you broke my heart, you did it through a grin. Who does that? You did it, surrounded by my best friends, who didn't stand up for me, or comfort me, they took videos and pictures. I stormed off like a tornado and hoped I'd never see you again, even though I saw you every day at school. I moved lunch tables and tried to avoid you, ignoring all the sacrifices I'd made those six months. Money, time, effort, love, I gave you and you dumped me like leftovers. If I could go back, I would. I would dump you in front of all of your friends, through a smile and take a picture of you crying as you walked away. You told me you loved me, must have been a joke. Like our whole relationship. So to you, from me, I hope you are happy with her, I really do. Because when she dumps you, you'll remember me. Savor the taste of that medicine.

"Oh Sam" the class said as she pulled her grandma's dentures out of Tommy's hair. "Oh Sam" the said as she put a tack on the teachers chair. "Oh Sam" is all they said. Same was planning the biggest prank yet. She was going to convince her entire class she was an identical twin! She brought two outfits and products and supplies to change make up and hair in between switches. She asked to go to the bathroom first period, gym. She went from Sam to Caitlyn. With a high, curly red ponytail, she marched back out in a whole new outfit. She only answered to Caitlyn for the rest of the class. She didn't have any friend in the same class twice, so this was fool proof. Second period she switched back to Sam and spent geography drooling over John. Third period she switched and the teacher even called her Caitlyn. By the end of the day, she was exhausted, but she was so pleased she pulled off her biggest prank ever. Sam and Caitlyn retired to their room and instantly fell alseep.

I walked around the county fair looking for you. I sacrificed my life for six months for this moment. You were going to kiss me, I just knew it. As I looked, I found our group of friends talking all around you, I knew I was right. I wore a colored tank top, the summer of love. But when I got there, the summer turned cold. I was in the middle of a circle of all of our friends. I could hear the sound of pictures being taken. Laughs and chatting filled the evening air. I would have rather been anywhere. He said things weren't working out, and dropped me like a trend, through a smile he posed for a camera. Tears streamed down my face and anger filled inside me. I walked away, he didn't get to see me. He threw me out and I'll make him sorry. I don't like revenge or holding grudges, so they way I made him pay was acting like I was fine, and like nothing ever happened. My life was a tall glass of sour juice, and he was drinking every drop.

It was a normal day as we sat at out dark round table. The water boiled for the tea as it always did. She sat there smiling but something was on her mind.

"Grandma, what is it?" I ask curiously. "Let us drink our tea" she said as a tear ran down her face. I rushed to her side with a peppermint tea, her favorite type. "Grandma what is it?" I said a little more alarmed. She just smiled and kissed the top of my head. she reached out and took her tea, and I took mine. After she finished, I took her cup to the sink. She whispered an "I love you" as she vanished into the air, but I could still feel her presence, I knew she would always be there. So I keep a cup of peppermint tea on the table next to me every time I drink mine, I know she's drinking hers. A beautiful way to remember my grandma, was the last cup of tea is always warm.

Crying, I scratch "it isn't your fault" on a crumbled, tear soaked paper from an old school binder. Maybe if I had more time, things would have worked out? Maybe in another life, but this life is too much. I continued scrawling goodbyes on a page, then I remembered, no one is going to care to even read it. I'm ending it all for the good of the people.

Once the deed was done, the town held a memorial in his honor. The chess club he was in had a uniform made in his honor and retired his number. His obituary reached the whole community and brought families closer together. Mental health became the priority it should have been. The funeral was a celebration of life celebrated by classmates, family and friends, sharing their favorite moments and memories with him.

Though he wasn't with us, he made us realize the signs we missed when he was with us. We made a mistake, but we don't blame ourselves. We learn what goes through their mind and offer help and listen when they talk.

For Sale: Wedding ring, worn once

Together, they let go and vanished

Crying, she changed is to was

I rise from my slumber with grace, though weak, I perform without a trace. Going through the motions that society places, I miss you every day. Sometimes I think I see your face, your grey wispy hair all on your face. I miss the wrinkles under your eyes, when I think really hard it makes me cry. You used to hold my hand, grasping with love, I could feel your heart beat, and pulse through your glove. You wore a hat, made with lace and tule, You thought it made you look so cool. I miss you more every day, but there is something I should say. You are my reason I keep moving on, you are my reason I stay strong. My love, my strength, my guardian being. I love you more, please pick up this keying. I hope you are happy, so filled with glee, I hope you know what you meant to me.

"Be mine" the little heart read.

I repeated those words several times in my head.

As a young girl I hadn't heard those words often enough.

From a mile away I was calling their bluff.

The day for chocolate, love and hearts,

I could feel my world being torn apart.

Was it real? What did this mean?

I assessed the situation with an eye that was keen.

I wished it was true, with all of my might.

And I received the answer that very night.

A little boy with a bow tie on,

came walking about, right through my lawn.

I smiled, and asked what was on his mind.

He said words that we oh so kind.

I could see, his plan, all by design,

He asked me to be mine.