A/N: Thanks to those of you who have reviewed it means a lot to me and Amy's family. it has been a rough year, but I think that this story is really summarizing the last year for all those who have had the privilage of knowing Amy. Pls continue to R& R this story it really would mean a lot!

Shawn arrived home, as promised. I hadn't noticed him enter the room because I remained seated in my chair at my desk the entire time. He pulled up a chair beside me and placed an arm around my shoulders. I looked up at him and he saw the tears that were in my eyes. He glanced down at the picture I was holding, he had never seen the young women before, he glanced back up at me and asked in an understanding tone.

"Who is she?"

"A friend"

I began to tell him the story of Grace, and how she was suppose to be my maid of honor and how it can never happen. Shawn assumed that she recovered from the cancer, until I finally reached the part I didn't want to talk about. Tears formed in my eyes and Shawn tried his hardest to comfort me while I continued on with the story….

Flashback:

I ran into Grace's hospital room and told her that I was going to school to become a doctor just like her. Grace gave me a light smile and congratulated me. I was so excited about getting into the university that Grace was hoping to one-day get into. The plan was that Trish was going to go to school while Grace was going through chemo, and eventually apply herself when she was healthy enough to attend school in the fall. That was the last time I ever saw Grace.

Grace died on October 15, 1996, before her life had ever begun. Five days later, she was buried in our small town cemetery. I stood there, in my long black dress, the wind whipping at my soul, trying to be strong, looking, searching for the will to go on. The soothing words of the minister became a fuzzy, unrecognizable sound, faintly droning on in my mind. After the service was over, each person laid a delicate white rose on Grace's casket. I just stood there and watched, unable to move and accept the inevitable. My mother tried to make me leave, but I wriggled out of her grasp. Stepping toward the casket I placed my hand against the smooth wood and touched it lovingly. A solitary tear slid down my face as I laid a delicate bunch of yellow roses on top of the white ones that signified Grace's eternal innocence. "I love you," I whispered and blew and kiss into the air, hoping, wishing it would reach her in heaven. Turning, I left, leaving behind me a part of me, a piece of my soul, a part of who I am forever.

End of Flashback

Brushing away the tears, I placed her picture back on my desk. The faint light cast a soft glow about my room, a feeling of warmth and comfort. Slowly I unraveled my feet from under me and pulled myself out of the creaking computer chair. Wrapping my arms around my body, I traipsed across the room to my open closet door. I reached up on mytiptoes and rummaged through the upper shelf. I started smiling as I felt Shawn's arms around my waist. I slowly lifted down a small oak trunk. Setting it on the carpet beneath my feet, I sat on my knees and opened the lid. Sweet smells drifted from its contents as I closed my eyes, drinking in the moment. I opened my eyes again and looked into my past. Lifting out a small teddy bear, I could hear the laughter ringing in my ears as I hugged it to my chest. My smile broadened as I noticed the well-read letter Grace had left for me in her trunk. Settling down, I leaned against the door and read the letter once again aloud for Shawn to hear.

Letter:

Dearest Trish,

I love you. You have been my confidante, my closest friend, my sister … my savior. Your honest and simple words have touched my heart and soul like no others could. You have left a lasting impression on my life, and you have become part of who I am. I know that if you are reading this, God has said it is my time to go, and you are in a lot of pain, pain I will never understand. It hurts so much to know that I can't comfort you when you need it most. Please promise to never forget me, but to let me go. You can't survive if my memory keeps you from moving on. Love me in your heart, but let me go in your mind or your life will never again be full of that happiness and love it used to hold. I will be watching over you from above.

Love always,

Grace Simpson

End of letter

I sat back and let my tears fall, staining the well worn sheets of paper once again. I opened my eyes and swiped back at the remaining tears. I placed the letter back in the trunk. Walking over to my desk, I grabbed the picture frame. I trudged back over to the trunk and set it lightly insider. Without another word, I closed the lid to the trunk, locked it and placed it back on its shelf. With one final look, I closed the closet doors and a chapter in my life.