I am such an idiot. I just let go of the only thing I had going for me in my life. Max held the vision board close to her heart. God, if you are listening right now, please make what I wished for come true. Okay…I know I've been bad and naughty. And maybe I don't deserve to be happy. But Caroline does. She doesn't deserve to be punished because of me. Besides, everyone says you're a forgiving God. So please please please let everything on her vision board come true.

She grabbed her coat and rushed out the back door. I hope I'm not too late.

Outside, the clouds were overcast and gloomy. It was still drizzling. Max noticed imprints of Caroline's tiny high-heeled shoes and Chestnut's bigger horseshoes on the muddy ground. Okay, this makes my life easier. Max followed the trail, sprinting as fast as she could until she reached the pavement where the imprints were cut off. She stopped and stood still for a minute to catch her breath. I can't believe they reached this far. Two kilometers on high heels and on a rainy day. That's a record for Caroline. She must really be pissed at me. She looked around, checking all four directions but there was no trace of Caroline or even Chestnut. If only there was some sort of sign…

Max yelled out at the top of her lungs: "CAROLINE!" Then she waited patiently, hoping to hear Caroline's voice respond back. But there was nothing except for a soft echo of her own voice. It was a long shot, but it was worth a try.

Max clutched the vision board on her hand firmly. Her eyes gazed at the heart again and the picture of her with Caroline; her mind drifted dreamily contemplating what could have been. Now, this vision board was all she had left of Caroline. Teardrops trickled down from her eyes, seeping onto the red heart. She sobbed and wiped her eyes. She tried her best to hold her tears in; still, they streamed down her face like continuously. She sat on the bench, her spirit defeated. Her heart sank more and more as the minutes passed.

…

"Max? What are you doing here?"

Caroline? Max looked up and saw Caroline towering over her. She wiped the tears off her eyes. "I was looking for you." She handed the vision board to Caroline. "You left this at the apartment. Didn't want you to miss it."

"Oh, thanks. We were actually on our way back to get it. I guess you saved us a trip." Caroline grabbed the vision board hastily and hid it inside her large purse. She turned her back and started to leave.

"Caroline, I'm sorry! For what happened earlier." Max looked down, shying away from Caroline's gaze.

Caroline turned around and said softly. "You said some really mean things. Do you expect me to just forgive you?" She paused to think for a moment. She still felt wounded and she knew the pain wouldn't go away so easily. "You can't treat me like garbage one time then just completely be sweet and nice the next. I still have my self-respect, Max. I can't go through this with you anymore –"

I can't bear to lose you again. Max held on to Caroline's hand. "My wish was to have you in my life…for us to be more than just friends." She paused, making sure that Caroline understood what she was saying. She wanted Caroline to know that she was serious this time. She couldn't risk anything to uncertainty or vagueness. "I think I'm falling in love with you." Her mind shouted: Actually, I AM in love with you and have been for some time. "I didn't want to tell you. I was afraid to scare you away." Max confessed.

"I saw the heart in your vision board. Isn't this what you wanted? Us together?" Max asked, seeking to affirm her conclusions.

Caroline nodded and she squeezed Max's hand tenderly. "Yes, this is what I want." Her eyes twinkled as she said it.

How can I resist you? This was the cue that Max had been waiting for. She moved closer to Caroline and kissed her lips gently. I'm really sorry that I hurt you. I love you so much.

Her heartstrings played a sweet melody. It was the first time she appreciated the sappiness of love songs.

I could spend my life in this sweet surrender

I could stay lost in this moment forever
Where every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you babe
And I don't want to miss a thing

The girls mounted up onto Chestnut's back. Max put her arms around Caroline and held on tightly. Like the champion jockey she was, Caroline commanded her horse to race wildly on the streets of Brooklyn. "Attaboy!"

The sky was pitch black except for the silver half crescent moon that shone above the city. It had been a long night. Max could not wait to come home – their home. She knew that she would never have to spend a night alone in her bed again.