"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Today is 6 years since you left us. It’s been 2,190 days of me waiting for your return. I’ve watched the door quite a bit since then, convinced that I can will you to open it and grace us with your presence. But you never do. My soul still aches for you, and often I am overwhelmed by the guilt. Obligatory tasks push me through the day and lead my mind elsewhere… Maybe it’s better that way. I still cry when I think about all the ends that will never meet. You took so many pieces when you left for your journey; just like you, they’ve yet to return. Things like dad’s sobriety, and mom’s sanity. I’m sure parts of me are missing too. You’re the only thing I write about anymore, so I guess I lost my inspiration. You just don’t think about all the things that die with a loved one. You were loved so entirely as a son, a brother, and a friend- So intertwined in all of our lives that it makes sense you took those parts with you. Maybe you took them as trinkets, something to soothe your soul on the days that it aches for the smell of mom, or the laughter of a buddy, the advice of a sister, the embrace of a loved one. The notion that you miss me as much as I miss you brings tears of joy to my eyes.