Her lips were dry, but very, very soft. I couldn’t help but smile when she kissed me. Her beautiful blue lips gently touched my cheek, the slight, soft kiss of my angel of mercy.

Thoughts filled my mind, anxiety filled me with questions. I wasn’t ready, yet. What would it feel like? Would it hurt? I was hurting already, inside. My lady’s kiss could free me.

She bent closer, wrapped her arms around me, held me close. I took a breath and held it as long as I could. I wasn’t ready…

She smelled amazing… Like soft earth, a freshly mowed lawn, rose buds and carnations… I shivered a little as I felt a breeze pass by.

“It will be okay,” she told me. I believed her, with all of my heart.

She nuzzled my cheek, softly, and I closed my eyes. Her lips met mine, cool and refreshing like a forest stream, and I felt a tear glide down my cheek.

“It’s time to go now.”

My soul left my body as we kissed, and she drew me out and stood me up.

I didn’t look back as we walked away, hand in hand, from the cancer ward.