TWO

They figured out a few months after they found Tory in the water,
Ben and Tory.

Everyone was happy. Euphoric.

They shared their real first kiss on the beach, the stars gleaming in approval above their heads.

They loved it.

They loved them.

Everyone did.

But then everything changed.

They knew it was coming.

But you can never be prepared,

no matter how hard you try.

She died.

For Tory it was like losing a second mother.

For Ben it was his real mother.

Dead.

Gone.

Passed.

She should have gotten help.

Given up the drugs, the cigarettes, the men.

But she didn't.

Ben can deal. He cuts. It's not good, but at least he deals.

Tory doesn't last long without her.

She starts to fade away.

Ben tries, God he tries.

But it's too hard.

It's too much.

He loses her.