Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 49

She left us after taking a deadly potion, and by the time anyone found her, it was too late to save her. On the bedside table was a short farewell note.

"Jonah, Lana, I'm sorry for leaving in such a messy way. But death isn't the final chapter; forgetting is. If me living this life means forgetting everything, then I've been gone a long time.

"I made this decision ages ago, so don't be sad for me. Everyone's got their own road to travel. I'm grateful to have shared part of mine with you, but this is where I have to stop. Someone's been waiting for me, waiting patiently for me to see this world and then join him. I can't keep him waiting alone any longer.

"Lana, I want you to know I love you so much. You've never been a burden; you filled the gaps in my heart. Having such a wonderful daughter in my last years has been my greatest joy. I'm sorry I never made it to your school meetings. It's not that I didn't want to; I've dreamed of standing beside you, proudly saying I'm Lana's mom. But I feared that once I was gone, being asked about me would hurt you more. Lana, be brave. You're amazing, and I'm so proud of you. And remember, I love you.

"Jonah, I owe you an apology. My selfishness and fear kept you from chasing your dreams. That was my fault. I shouldn't have kept you tethered under the guise of love. Everyone has their own path. You're grown now and can take care of yourself. Go after what you want; I won't hold you back anymore. Please tell Cooper I'm sorry too. I shouldn’t blame him at first. And lastly, I love you."

I just took a nap, and when I woke up, my mom was gone. Jonah went on a trip, and when he came back, our mom had left us.

Life is full of suffering, a quiet lament of countless faces. The world feels like a purgatory.

Every sudden departure is foreshadowed by a series of signs. Sudden trips to see a doctor, the slowly visible effects of treatment, skipping school meetings, no longer dancing under the tree or daydreaming by the door, baking more cookies than usual...

The signs were always there. I was just too blind to see them.