THESE ARE THE TIMES
Epilogue

Rose had finally gotten over her fear of the outdoors, thanks to Jack. The rest of their year in high school passed quickly by. Everything that needed to be done, Jack and Rose did together. Finally, their senior year had come and gone, and Jack was at Rose’s house to say good-bye before she went off to Yale University, where she was to study to become a doctor.

Jack stood against Rose’s car as her father piled all of her belongings into the trunk. Tears sprung from Rose’s eyes as she looked at Jack. She just couldn’t believe that she was leaving him behind. How was she going to survive without him?

"There’s phones, letters, and holidays." Jack bravely smiled, knowing it’d be even harder if he broke down. "You’ll be fine."

Rose smiled, marveling at how he seemed to always know what she was thinking. "Promise me that you won’t fall in love with someone else while I’m away."

"Cross my heart." He pulled her into warm hug. "You promise the same?"

"Of course." Rose sniffed back the tears that were beginning to flow.

"Rose, it’s time to go." Her father cleared his throat. "I want to beat the morning traffic."

"Yes, Daddy." Rose grimaced, pulling away from Jack.

"Have a safe trip and call me when you get there." Jack waved as Rose got into the car.

She waved out the window as the car pulled out of the driveway. She kept him in view through the side mirror until the car had turned a corner.

*****

College was a big adventure for Rose, and she indeed kept in close contact with Jack. After the first four years were up, she and Jack got married and had two children, a boy and a girl. They lived a long, happy life and nothing ever came between them. Jack and Rose were forever.

The End.

Stories