My hands trembled as I read the letter. This can't be happening. I must be dreaming or this is some kind of a sick joke, but no, it isn't. The letter that I held in my hands is proof.

Fred is gone. He left.

I bit my lips as they started to tremble. Not because I wanted to cry but because of my mixed feelings.

I didn't notice that everyone's attention was on me. I didn’t want them to see me like this, so I smiled. "I guess that's that then," I said. It was stupid to feel ...