She's Not Worthy of Being Human

Emily paused, clearly torn.

"Steve, can you ever just let it go? Emily's always been patient, avoiding fights with you. Why can't you let her have some downtime with friends? Does her life have to be all about work and dealing with you?"

Matt was visibly agitated, acting like I was the villain of the century. His look of disgust was plain as day.

He took a deep breath and then said with a shaky voice, "Maybe you should just go with him, Emily. I'll smooth things over with our friends. After all, a husband matters more than friends, right?"

Without another word, he headed towards the restaurant across the street, not looking back.

His tactic worked like a charm—Emily dropped everything and ran after him.

As she stormed off, she threw a fierce warning over her shoulder, "Next time you dare curse my parents, we're through!"

No matter how loudly I called after her, she wouldn't stop.

How could such wonderful parents have raised someone so cold and stubborn?

A simple phone call could confirm the truth, yet she stubbornly refused to make it.

Torn between her parents and her first love, her heart had long since tipped towards him, and there was no looking back.

How could she be so sure I was lying?

After all our years together, didn't she trust me at all?

The doctor called in a panic, "Charles and Margaret are fading fast. Why aren't you and Dr. Dickens here yet?"

I raced to the car, speeding back to the hospital.

Charles didn't make it; he was gone by the time I arrived.

Holding back tears, I went to see Margaret for the last time.

The life support was off. She lay there, gasping for her last breaths, silently waiting.

Hearing my footsteps, she slowly turned her head. When she realized I was alone, the faint light in her eyes flickered out.

"Where... where's Emily...?"

I couldn't bear to look into her eyes, my hands shaking as I held hers.

If I'd known I couldn't bring Emily back, I wouldn't have left—I could've been there for them a little longer.

I couldn't tell her Charles was gone, nor could I say that her beloved daughter was out drinking and laughing with her old flame.

"Mom, Emily's tied up with a patient and couldn't break away."

"That's... that's a doctor's duty... I don't blame her..."

Emily had always excelled, from grade school through to a combined undergrad and grad program at a top medical school—her parents' pride.

Yet now, I felt nothing but heartache.

I hated that I couldn't bring Emily back, and I resented that she only listened to Matt.

"Steve... you've been a good son... I just wish I could see Emily one more time..."

Those were Margaret's last words.

In her final moments, all she wanted was to see her daughter, Emily.

But where was Emily?

She was reliving the good old days with her first love.

I fought back tears, but they came anyway.

I tried calling Emily again.

No answer.

Fighting through my grief, I took care of Charles and Margaret's final arrangements.

They had lived modestly and didn't want a big fuss—just a quiet farewell.

I arranged for their cremation and had their ashes placed together.

Life is fleeting; in an instant, two vibrant lives were gone.

On my way home, I called Emily several more times.

Still no answer.

She hadn't gone to work and was still with Matt.

Holding the urns, I sat on the living room sofa, haunted by memories of Charles and Margaret's warm smiles. Tears flowed freely once more.

Later that afternoon, as I headed out to select their burial plots, I ran into Emily downstairs.

She stepped out of Matt's car, their goodbye lingering, their eyes nearly melting into each other.

Spotting me, Emily's smile vanished, replaced by a frosty expression. "Where are you off to?"

I tried to bypass her, but she grabbed my arm fiercely.

Noticing the black armband I wore, she asked, puzzled, "Why are you wearing that?"