I do

Dear Madi,1

I hope you'll find this before you get married, but...2

It was NEVER your fault. It was Curt's. He was the one that said "Oh Madison, will you marry me?" right in front of me! I knew he was handsome and rich, but did you love him? I loved you, and I was never sure if you knew that, but I knew you loved me. To a point.3

Don't blame it on yourself that I'm gone, I know I can never stop you from weeping at my grave, but don't blame yourself. To me, you will always be an angel. My last wish is not that you not marry him, but for you to be happy. If marrying him would make you joyful, and no regrets, then I'm fine. But please, please don't kill yourself. No matter how much I miss you, I will never ask you to do that. 4

I don't exactly know how it all happened, Curt and I were such friends... but then something went wrong. He got invited to join the "cool" group first. He told me I was "in" if I threw a party. Not just any party though, a huge party. He said the neighbors had to call the cops, otherwise it wouldn't qualify. So I did. And afterwards, the glory wasn't all that great. In fact, i wish I never had gotten into the "cool stuff." 5

I wasn't allowed to:6

Date people who weren't cool7

Throw a party without inviting the rest of the group8

Refuse any dares made by Us9

Or Refuse to help Us in any way.10

I was despised by my own parents for a month. 3 people were never seen again. And worst of all, I did it for a prize that I didn't want.11

But then the term ended, and we had new students. I don't remember any of them, except you. I wasn't allowed, but I did anyway. I liked you. I didn't let the rules stop me, the very next day I would ask you out. Curt got to you first. And the competition began.12

We both know I spent more time with you. What do you value more, time or stuff? He bought you. But when he had to leave town for a while, I turned the tables. We went back an forth, back and forth. Back and forth for four years. But when he returned for the final time, he bought you. With a diamond ring.13

I love you, and leave everything to you. And if you want, we can get married too. I just won't be at the wedding. I left both the rings in my safe; I know you have the key. I have a marriage certificate there too. It's just waiting for your signature. No matter how long, I'll be waiting for you. Even though, Curt got to you first.14

I'll Never Stop Loving You,15

Travis.16

P.S. I left a photo of my fondest moment with you...17

Dear diary... My fingers trembled as I read this. I found it in my Vanity, as I was getting ready to go to the church. The truth was, I didn't love Curt. My parents thought he was great. They hated Travis. I did blame myself, and I still did after the letter. For not following my heart. While I walked to the taxi in pouring rain, I decided not to say,18

“The Chapel on 42nd Street" I said” 3269, 17th Ave" Travis's house. 19

Before I left, I took the key Travis had given me the night before he had died. I never went to the Chapel. I went to his grave, with a bouquet of flowers, held together by a golden ring, and left a note there that said only two words. I Do.20

Seven Years Later21

I was still weeping. I had been left at the altar by the love of my life, and never saw her again. I didn't even know why. All investigators I hired came back saying: She's alive. She doesn't want to see you, or tell you where she is.22

Then, after exactly seven years of sadness, grief, anger, and curiosity, a letter came. It was from Madison.23

Curt, (she didn't even write "dear")24

I am currently waiting, and am going to die in 3 weeks. The doctor says so. I am going to be buried in the Fantasy Graveyard on 53rd street. Next to dear Travis.(but I thought you loved me?!?!) I have attached a copy of the letter he gave me, and a diary entry. In case you’re wondering, I do not regret leaving you. I am waiting, for my time again with Travis. It feels like it has not yet started, and yet like it never ended. I leave everything to my dear sister Catherine, and to you (yes?!) I return everything you ever gave me (Here I began to weep again).25

I never did get over it. I will always miss her. If Travis weren't already dead I would have killed him! But then I saw a photo of his grave, with a bouquet of flowers, held together by a golden ring, and left a note there that said only two words. I Do. Along with the letter and the entry, there was a poem: 26

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 27

And sorry I could not travel both 28

And be one traveler, long I stood 29

And looked down one as far as I could 30

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 31

Then took the other, as just as fair, 32

And having perhaps the better claim, 33

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 34

Though as for that the passing there 35

Had worn them really about the same, 36

And both that morning equally lay 37

In leaves no step had trodden black. 38

Oh, I kept the first for another day! 39

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 40

I doubted if I should ever come back. 41

I shall be telling this with a sigh 42

Somewhere ages and ages hence: 43

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 44

I took the one less traveled by, 45

And that has made all the difference.46

-----Robert Frost47

I married him instead of you,48

And THAT has made all the difference49