...til the day I die

Promise kept.

“I’ll love you til the day I die.”
His final words under the apple tree as he took his leave.
He was off to the big city to try out for a band.
For years, he’d promised her a home, a family,
a house, a farm and his eternal love.
But first, he needed to earn enough to make this possible.

As they stood touching hands in the orchard that Spring day,
She knew that, in his going away,
It was possible that he might not return.
He could fall victim to overweening ambition -
the fame and the rewards thereof
could just as easily lead him astray.

The first month he was away,
he called her every Sunday,
Usually hungover and tired,
he told her of his experiences
and promised to return for the 4th of July.
And he always said,
“I’ll love you til the day I die.”

As the months passed,
his calls dwindled, and
when July came,
he was on tour with his band and
did not visit her.
He did call to say,
“I’ll love you til the day I die.”

September came and he was still on the road.
He couldn’t visit in October and
Missed seeing her on her birthday but
He did call to remind her of his promises and
to say,
“I’ll love you til the day I die.”

Thanksgiving came and went but
he didn’t show up.
At Christmas, he was on the other side of the country and
It was impossible to get home in time.
He blew off New Year’s Eve.
He forgot to call and say,
“I’ll love you til the day I die.” but
surely he felt it? Surely?

There was no call on Valentine’s Day.
No call for months after that.

In May, Henry Cavalry asked her if she’d consider
stepping out with him.
Henry was an earnest, stable guy who owned a farm nearby.
All vouched for his reliability and he was respected.
She said yes and they began to spend time together.
Happily.
He never claimed that he’d love her til the day he died.

They married on Christmas Day.

The following Valentine’s Day, the musician called her
with the news of a tour bus accident.
He’d broken an arm and both legs and was returning
to be nursed back to health.
He wanted her to marry him and make him a home.
She sighed and took a deep breath.

Then she told him of her marriage and the child that was on its way.
She apologized that she wouldn’t be able to tend to him.
He wept for a minute and then whispered,
“That’s ok. I’ll love you til the day I die.”
He ended the call.
He reached under his pillow with his one good arm,
pulled out a shiny black snub-nosed pistol and...

a single shot rang out.

©Ellen Pepper 2025