One evening, as I was preparing to leave, he asked me to sit down.
His voice was weaker than usual that day.
“Emily, I’m going to ask you for something. I understand that it will sound strange.”
I waited.
“Marry me.”
At first, I thought it was the medication talking.
“William, we’ve only known each other for a few months.”
“I know. I’m not asking you for anything else. I simply don’t want to die feeling that I was never part of anyone’s family.”
Then he looked down at his hands and quietly added:
“Tomorrow is my birthday. If you agree, I would like us to get married that day. It would be the greatest birthday gift of my life.”
I didn’t agree immediately.
I couldn’t sleep that entire night. I wondered whether it would be wrong, whether he was simply frightened, and whether I was considering it only because I felt sorry for him.
