He was non-negotiable, when and if anyone else came into my life. If anyone had balked at his unwavering presence in my life, that person would not be a part of it.

I don’t know what to do without him. “Live your life” and “Make him proud” and other sundry clichés dangle n front of my face like cheap clothing in a discount store, and I grasp at them with a grimace and eyeroll and think “This isn’t good enough.” Because it’s not.

My world is shattered, I am gutted, and to say I’m forever changed is a grand understatement.