Mika sobs again, and Leroy caresses her face to brush aside her curly brown hair and wipe a tear from her blue eyes. Mika usually never cries when Leroy is around, but today is sad beyond measure. Leroy would be crying too, despite his large stature and rugged handsomeness, if he didn't need to be strong for Mika's sake.
Mika and Leroy met in college, at a zero-waste sustainability club Mika started their sophomore year; Leroy is the only other person who attended more than once. They bonded over the next three years while adding more trash cans around the campus sidewalks, updating the recycling program, and traveling together to see as much of the world that they love as possible. Most recently they took a trip to Monterey Bay to visit the aquarium and local wildlife; They even managed to stop and see the redwood forest and a few other national parks. The trip was so beautiful Leroy bought a ring, in case he found the perfect place to propose to Mika.
Now they live together in a one-bedroom apartment. Other than fight over who needs to carry the laundry down three flights of stairs to get to the buildings only washing machine, Leroy and Mika spend their nights going on long walks around the lake near their apartment. On Mondays and Wednesdays, they read poetry at a local coffee shop's open mic night--competing each week to see who generates the most applause. Tuesday and Thursday are the days they keep the local Chinese food restaurants and pizza chains in business. Friday is the night they play trivia with Steve and Amy.
Leroy and Mika have been inseparable--even weekends spent apart have become difficult. However, they promised each other that they would both apply to the Peace Corps as soon as they graduated, and commencement just ended. Tomorrow Leroy leaves for Zambia with the Peace Corps to establish sustainable fishing practices; Mika leaves at the same time for Paraguay to teach sustainable farming practices.
Although couples can go together, they must be married to file a joint application. Mika and Leroy have talked about getting married, but now it will have to wait until they return. Three months of training and two years on the job will keep them apart. They can’t afford to travel to each other on the limited breaks, so it is truly goodbye.
"Mika, why don't we write a lais together, just you and me, my love," Leroy says softly pulling Mika close in an embrace.
"Okay... you start this one, Leroy," Mika responds between sobs.