Midnight on the Cliff

On a cold, lonely Christmas Eve, Josie stands at the edge of a cliff, ready to surrender to the darkness that has consumed her since her mother's death. She feels invisible, weighed down by grief, guilt, and the belief that no one will miss her. But as she prepares to step off, a stranger's voice—Daniel's—cuts through the roar of the ocean. He pleads with her not to go, offering his presence and empathy instead of platitudes. Their raw, vulnerable exchange is the first crack in Josie's isolation, and Daniel's insistence that he would miss her plants a seed of hope she can't ignore. In that suspended moment, two broken souls find each other, and the possibility of connection flickers in the darkness.

A Lifeline in the Dark

Daniel's intervention is more than a physical act; it's a lifeline thrown to Josie's drowning spirit. He holds her back from the edge, both literally and emotionally, refusing to let her slip away. The two spend the night on the cliff, sharing confessions and silences under the stars. Daniel's own pain—his brother's death, his fractured family—mirrors Josie's, and their mutual understanding forges a tentative bond. When morning comes, Josie leaves a note promising she didn't jump, but the encounter lingers for both. Daniel is haunted by what could have happened, and Josie, for the first time in a long while, feels seen. Their lives, once parallel in pain, are now inextricably linked by a single, life-altering night.

Unraveling and Reaching Out

Both Josie and Daniel are left reeling. Josie tries to return to her routine—teaching swim lessons, going through the motions—but the emptiness persists. Daniel, unable to shake his concern, returns to the cliff, hoping to see her again. Their paths cross unexpectedly when Josie's car breaks down and Daniel, through his sister Penelope, comes to her aid. The awkwardness of their reunion is tinged with relief and unspoken gratitude. As Daniel insists on helping, Josie is forced to confront the reality that someone cares, even if she can't yet accept it. Their connection deepens, and the possibility of friendship—and something more—begins to take root.

The Weight of Grief

Josie's grief is a constant companion, manifesting as numbness, anger, and self-doubt. Her mother's death left her untethered, and the pressure to live up to her legacy as a champion swimmer is suffocating. Daniel, too, is burdened by guilt over his brother Adrian's drowning, a trauma that fractured his family and left him terrified of water. Both are surrounded by people—teammates, friends, family—but feel fundamentally alone. Their shared pain becomes a bridge, allowing them to open up in ways they haven't before. Through small acts of kindness and reluctant vulnerability, they begin to help each other shoulder the weight of their losses.

New Beginnings, Old Wounds

As Josie and Daniel navigate the awkwardness of new friendship, old wounds are reopened. Daniel's teammates tease him about his reputation and his past relationship with Amanda, while Josie is confronted by her ex, Bryson, whose betrayal still stings. Both are wary of intimacy, afraid that letting someone in will only lead to more pain. Yet, their shared hiking class and swim lessons become safe spaces where they can be themselves. Through banter, confessions, and gentle challenges, they begin to trust each other. The process is slow and fraught with setbacks, but the foundation for healing is laid.

Lessons in Survival

Daniel's fear of water is both literal and symbolic—a manifestation of his unresolved trauma. Josie, once a prodigy in the pool, now avoids it, associating it with her mother's expectations and her own failures. When Daniel asks Josie to teach him to swim, it's an act of trust and a step toward reclaiming agency over their lives. The lessons are awkward, filled with vulnerability and frustration, but also moments of triumph. As Daniel learns to float and Josie rediscovers her love for the water, they both realize that survival is not just about not drowning, but about choosing to live, even when it hurts.

The Ties That Bind

Both Josie and Daniel are shaped by their families—by love, loss, and the longing to be enough. Daniel's relationship with his parents is strained, especially with his father, who blames him for Adrian's death. Josie, orphaned and estranged from her mother even in life, is haunted by the absence of unconditional love. Their friends—Penelope, Angel, Vienna—offer support, but also complicate matters with their own dramas and expectations. As Josie and Daniel grow closer, they must navigate the messy realities of chosen and biological family, learning that belonging is not about perfection, but about showing up for each other, flaws and all.

Breaking the Surface

The line between friendship and romance blurs as Josie and Daniel's connection deepens. Their physical attraction is undeniable, but both are afraid to risk their fragile peace for something that might not last. Setbacks—misunderstandings, jealousy, and the resurfacing of old traumas—threaten to pull them under. Yet, each time they falter, they find their way back to each other, buoyed by honesty and the willingness to try again. Their first kiss, their first night together, are not perfect, but they are real—messy, vulnerable, and full of hope. In each other, they find the courage to break the surface and breathe again.

The Edge of Enough

Just as Josie and Daniel begin to believe in the possibility of happiness, the weight of their unresolved pain threatens to pull them apart. Daniel's mental health spirals, culminating in a drunken confession that he's been using Josie as a distraction from his grief. Josie, devastated, ends the relationship, believing she is not enough to save him. Both retreat into isolation, haunted by the fear that love is not enough to heal what's broken. Their friends rally around them, offering support and tough love, but ultimately, Josie and Daniel must each choose to fight for themselves before they can fight for each other.

Collisions and Confessions

In the aftermath of their breakup, both Josie and Daniel hit rock bottom. Daniel's panic attacks and depression force him to confront the reality that he cannot outrun his pain. With the help of therapy, medication, and the support of his family and friends, he begins the slow process of healing. Josie, too, seeks help, opening up to her friends and a therapist about her grief and self-sabotage. Through honest conversations and the willingness to feel—even when it hurts—they both begin to understand that healing is not linear, and that it's okay to not be okay. Their separate journeys are painful, but necessary, laying the groundwork for reconciliation.

The Cost of Happiness

Time apart allows Josie and Daniel to grow individually, learning to prioritize their own well-being and to accept help. When they finally reunite, it is not with grand gestures, but with quiet honesty and the willingness to try again. They apologize, forgive, and promise to share their pain instead of hiding it. Their love is not a cure-all, but a partnership built on mutual respect, vulnerability, and the understanding that happiness is a choice made every day. Together, they learn that the cost of happiness is not the absence of pain, but the courage to keep going, to keep loving, even when it's hard.

Letting Go, Holding On

With renewed commitment, Josie and Daniel rebuild their relationship, this time with healthier boundaries and open communication. They move back in together, support each other's dreams, and make space for both joy and sorrow. Their friends and families, once sources of pain and confusion, become pillars of support. Josie accepts a coaching position, reclaiming her love for swimming on her own terms, while Daniel returns to baseball, learning to play for himself and not just for Adrian's memory. Together, they learn to let go of the past without forgetting it, and to hold on to each other, even in the face of uncertainty.

The Light Returns

As the seasons change, so do Josie and Daniel. Their love, once fragile and tentative, becomes a source of strength and light. They celebrate small victories—Daniel learning to swim, Josie finding joy in coaching, both of them choosing to stay. The darkness that once threatened to consume them recedes, replaced by the warmth of hope and the knowledge that they are not alone. Their story is not one of perfect healing, but of resilience, forgiveness, and the willingness to keep trying. In each other, they find the light they thought they'd lost, and the promise of a future worth fighting for.

Healing in the Aftermath

With time, Josie and Daniel's world expands. Their friends—Penelope, Angel, Vienna—become chosen family, offering laughter, support, and the reminder that healing is a communal act. Daniel reconciles with his father, and Josie learns to forgive her mother, if not for what she was, then for what she left behind. Together, they create new traditions, fill their home with memories, and learn that love is not about fixing each other, but about showing up, day after day, even when it's hard. Their new normal is not without pain, but it is full of meaning, connection, and the knowledge that they are enough.

Love on the Other Side

Years pass, and Josie and Daniel's love endures. They marry, pursue their careers, and support each other through life's challenges. The scars of their past remain, but they are no longer wounds—just reminders of how far they've come. Together, they choose to build a life rooted in honesty, compassion, and the willingness to keep growing. When they return to the cliff where it all began, it is not as broken souls, but as partners who have learned to love themselves and each other, even on the darkest days. Their story is a testament to the power of hope, the necessity of vulnerability, and the beauty of choosing to stay.

The Promise of Tomorrow

In the epilogue, Josie and Daniel stand on the cliff, now expecting their first child. The place that once symbolized despair is now a site of renewal and promise. They reflect on their journey—the pain, the healing, the love that saved them both—and look forward to the future they are building together. Their story is not one of fairy-tale perfection, but of real, hard-won happiness. They have learned that life is messy, that healing is ongoing, and that love is a choice made every day. As they embrace the promise of tomorrow, they know that whatever comes, they will face it together, hand in hand, hearts open to the light.

Characters

Josefine "Josie" Resendiz

Josie is a former swimming prodigy haunted by the death of her mother and the emotional neglect that defined their relationship. Her grief manifests as numbness, self-doubt, and a persistent sense of invisibility. Josie's journey is one of learning to feel again—to accept help, to trust others, and to believe she is worthy of love. Her relationship with Daniel is both a lifeline and a mirror, forcing her to confront her own pain and the ways she self-sabotages. Through therapy, friendship, and the slow work of healing, Josie learns to let go of the past without forgetting it, to embrace vulnerability, and to choose life, even when it's hard. Her arc is one of resilience, growth, and the reclamation of hope.

Daniel Garcia

Daniel is a college baseball star whose life is defined by the trauma of his brother Adrian's drowning—a tragedy for which he blames himself. Outwardly charismatic and beloved by friends and teammates, Daniel hides a deep well of pain, anxiety, and depression. His fear of water is both literal and symbolic, representing the unresolved grief that threatens to pull him under. Daniel's relationship with Josie is transformative, offering him both the chance to save and be saved. Through therapy, honest communication, and the support of his chosen family, Daniel learns to forgive himself, to accept help, and to believe he is worthy of happiness. His journey is one of redemption, self-acceptance, and the courage to keep going.

Penelope Garcia

Penelope, Daniel's sister, is a source of warmth, humor, and unwavering support. She is fiercely protective of her brother, often acting as a bridge between him and the rest of the world. Penelope's own struggles with heartbreak and betrayal mirror the central themes of the story, and her friendship with Josie is a testament to the power of chosen family. Through her, the narrative explores the complexities of sibling relationships, the pain of loss, and the importance of showing up for those we love, even when it's hard.

Angel Sanchez

Angel is Daniel's closest friend and teammate, known for his humor, loyalty, and occasional bluntness. Beneath his easygoing exterior lies a deep well of empathy and understanding, especially when it comes to Daniel's struggles. Angel's role is both comic relief and emotional anchor, offering tough love and unwavering support when it's needed most. His own experiences with loss and mental health add nuance to his character, making him a vital part of Daniel's journey toward healing.

Vienna

Vienna, Josie's friend and fellow athlete, is a beacon of light and resilience. Having lost her own mother, she offers Josie both empathy and practical support, refusing to let her retreat into isolation. Vienna's humor, warmth, and refusal to give up on those she loves make her an essential part of Josie's healing process. Her presence in the story underscores the importance of community, the power of shared experience, and the necessity of asking for help.

Bryson

Bryson, Josie's ex-boyfriend and Daniel's teammate, embodies the toxic patterns Josie is trying to escape. His betrayal and subsequent attempts to win her back force Josie to confront her own worth and the ways she has allowed others to define her. Bryson's actions are a source of conflict, but also a catalyst for Josie's growth, pushing her to set boundaries, demand respect, and choose herself.

Amanda

Amanda, Daniel's ex-girlfriend, represents the lingering wounds of past relationships and the difficulty of moving on. Her attempts to rekindle things with Daniel, despite her own betrayals, highlight the story's themes of forgiveness, closure, and the necessity of letting go. Amanda's presence complicates Daniel's journey, forcing him to confront what he truly wants and what he is willing to fight for.

Monica Jameson

Monica, the new Director of Women's Swimming, is both a reminder of Josie's past and a guide toward her future. Her belief in Josie's talent and her offer of a coaching position challenge Josie to reclaim her love for swimming on her own terms. Monica's empathy and understanding provide a model of healthy mentorship, helping Josie to see that she is more than her pain.

Julio Garcia

Julio, Daniel's father, is a complex figure—grieving, distant, and burdened by his own guilt over Adrian's death. His strained relationship with Daniel is a source of pain for both, but also an opportunity for growth and reconciliation. Through honest conversation and the willingness to forgive, Julio and Daniel begin to rebuild their bond, offering hope that even the deepest wounds can heal.

Adrian Garcia

Adrian, though physically absent, is a constant presence in Daniel's life. His death is the catalyst for much of Daniel's pain, but also a source of inspiration and motivation. Adrian's memory shapes Daniel's choices, his fears, and his hopes for the future. Through therapy, family, and love, Daniel learns to honor Adrian's memory without being defined by it, allowing himself to move forward while carrying his brother with him.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Alternating Perspectives

The novel employs a dual narrative structure, alternating between Josie and Daniel's points of view. This allows readers to experience the story from both sides of the emotional spectrum, deepening empathy and understanding. The alternating perspectives highlight the ways in which trauma, grief, and healing are both personal and communal, and how two people can save each other without losing themselves.

Symbolism of Water and Swimming

Water is a central motif, representing both the source of pain (Adrian's drowning, Josie's fraught relationship with swimming) and the possibility of healing (swim lessons, learning to float, reclaiming agency). The act of learning to swim becomes a metaphor for survival, resilience, and the courage to keep going, even when the current threatens to pull you under.

Post-it Notes and Small Gestures

Throughout the story, Daniel leaves Josie Post-it notes with simple, heartfelt messages: "I'm so happy you're here." These small acts of kindness become lifelines, tangible reminders that someone cares. The accumulation of these notes mirrors the slow, incremental process of healing, and their presence in the narrative underscores the importance of everyday acts of love.

Found Family and Chosen Community

The novel foregrounds the idea that family is not just about blood, but about the people who choose to stay. Josie and Daniel's friends—Penelope, Angel, Vienna—become their chosen family, offering support, tough love, and the reminder that healing is a communal act. The story's ensemble cast provides both comic relief and emotional depth, illustrating the necessity of connection in the face of pain.

Honest Depiction of Mental Health

The narrative does not shy away from the realities of mental illness—panic attacks, suicidal ideation, therapy, medication, and the slow, nonlinear path to healing. By showing both the darkness and the light, the story offers hope without minimizing the struggle. The inclusion of therapy, support systems, and the 988 Lifeline grounds the narrative in real-world resources and emphasizes the message that help is available.

Cyclical Structure and Foreshadowing

The story's structure is cyclical, beginning and ending at the cliff where Josie first contemplated ending her life. This return is not a repetition, but a rewriting—a transformation of a place of despair into one of hope and new beginnings. Foreshadowing is used throughout, with early references to water, darkness, and the possibility of change, all of which pay off in the story's resolution.

Analysis

Please Don't Go is a raw, unflinching exploration of grief, mental illness, and the redemptive power of love. E. Salvador crafts a narrative that refuses easy answers, instead offering a nuanced portrayal of two young people learning to live—and love—after trauma. The novel's strength lies in its honesty: it does not romanticize pain, nor does it suggest that love alone can heal all wounds. Instead, it shows that healing is a communal, ongoing process, requiring vulnerability, support, and the willingness to keep trying, even when it hurts. The story's modern relevance is clear—addressing suicide, depression, therapy, and the importance of mental health resources. Its message is one of hope, not in the absence of pain, but in the courage to keep going, to reach out, and to choose life, day after day. In a world where so many feel unseen, Please Don't Go is a testament to the power of being seen, of small acts of kindness, and of the belief that even in the darkest moments, there is light worth fighting for.

Last updated: January 13, 2026