What Else?

“Can you do this for three more years?” I asked.

Knowing very well they shouldn’t.

Too afraid to say they couldn’t.

“It will be worth it afterwards,” was their reply.

“What’s the cost?” I asked.

“Most of my waking hours.”

“What else?” I asked.

“It will create dangerous levels of stress and fatigue.”

“And what will that cause?” I asked.

“Weight gain.

Poor sleep.”

“What else?” I asked.

“Restarting my anxiety meds.

I’ll be emotionally absent.”

“What else?” I asked.

“I’ll get spread too thin.

See friends too little.”

“What else?” I asked.

“I won’t have time to share with those I love.”

“What else?” I asked.

“I’ll become someone that even I won’t recognize.”

“Then why are you doing it?” I asked.

“Because it’s all I have.”

“No, that’s incorrect,” I said.

“What else?” they asked.

“All you have is you. You don’t get another.”

“That’s true.”

“Are you going to do it then?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“But why?” I asked.

“Because it will be worth it in three years.”

“Will you be around to enjoy it?” I asked.

“I don’t know, but what else can I do?”

“Yes, what else.” I replied.