Do What Matters Most Novels & Stories

Not tonight. Something deeper. Something more important. Cassian took a breath. Then continued. "I figured out what mattered." The words settled between them. Quietly. Meaningfully. Selena didn't interrupt. She simply listened. "My work matters." He nodded slightly. "My family matters." Another pause. "My friends matter." A smile touched his face. Especially considering how ridiculous some of them are." That earned a laugh. Particularly because it was true. Very true. Then his expression became serious again.

Not destroying myself to build something that mattered. This was exactly right.

Always​ together⁠. ​That’s what​ matters.

“Why are you asking that?” Leo shrugged. “Some boys at school said only rich people matter.” Naomi immediately put her pencil down. Then she turned fully toward him. “Listen to me carefully,” she said softly. “Money can make life easier sometimes. But it does not decide if a person matters.” Leo looked thoughtful. “Then what matters?” Naomi smiled gently. “A good heart. Kindness. Honesty. Love.” Leo considered her answer carefully. Then he nodded seriously. “Okay.” Naomi touched his cheek softly.

“I’m part of your life.” The words hung between us. He stood then, pacing once across the room before turning back to me. “That’s exactly the problem.” My chest tightened. “What does that mean?” “It means you matter,” he said. “And anything that matters can be used.” A chill ran down my spine. “So what are you saying?” I asked. “That I should leave?” “No.” “Then what?” “That you need to be careful.” “I am careful.” “Not enough.” The bluntness stung.

We are still connected. Still here, right here. And that's what really matters.

This is the first time that I've heard that any of these things could affect a pregnancy. I responded to him by saying, "By the gods, they say it has an effect. Let's act in a manner that is commensurate with our values." When he was finally persuaded, he came up to me, gave me a bear hug, and said, "OK, that's it. The thing that matters the most to me is that neither of us gets angry with the other.

“Okay, what do you need me to do?” “Just close your eyes and center yourself as best as possible.” She gives me a look of relief. “Don’t meditate. Best not to let your spirit move away from your body… just in case… Just focus on what is important to you.” “You mean Bronx?” “If he is what is important to you then yes, but it could be anything. Your children, your sisters, your friends, or even a recipe you’ve been trying to perfect. Whatever is important to you, focus on the very best aspects of those things.”

he says. “I feel… less important,” I reply. He nods. “That’s not the same thing.” “I know,” I say. “But it’s adjacent.” He pauses. “Importance is a byproduct,” he says. “Not a purpose.” That sentence lands deeper than I expect. Because it reframes everything. We don’t do this to matter. We do this because it matters. When certainty leaves, what remains isn’t emptiness. It’s relationship. Messy. Imperfect.