3
That night, I slept soundly.
I didn’t wake until noon the next day.
Downstairs in the living room, the master
bedroom door was slightly ajar; John was
gone.
Only a note remained on the dining table: “I was supposed to take you to dinner yesterday, but the exhibition delayed me.” “I’ll come home early tonight to make up for the missed anniversary. Please forgive me?” Next to the note was a small six–inch photo. It was the photo of John and me holding
hands.
He’d made a smaller version and placed it
prominently.
As if to showcase his meager “deep
affection.”
I tore it into pieces, along with the note, and
threw them in the trash.
During our early courtship,
John’s OCD was severe, but he tried to
overcome his fears.
At school, other couples strolled hand–in-
hand.
We held opposite ends of a piece of cloth.
Maintaining a distance of more than a foot
and a half.
I knew he was terrified of intimacy, so I
wouldn’t force him.
Even our first kiss was through a pane of
glass.
John blushed, tears welling, apologizing. “Sarah, once I’m better, I’ll be the first to hug
you.‘
I wasn’t angry; I adored this unusual boy.
No matter how long it took, I would always be
by his side…
Suddenly, an unknown number called.
The sudden ring pulled me from my reverie. I leaned back, pressed answer, and heard a
familiar voice:
“Sarah, I’m starting at a company overseas
next month. We haven’t seen each other in
く
over six months. Let’s grab a drink in a few
days?”
It was Summer, a former colleague.
We worked in the same department and were
close friends.
I quit my job to care for John.
I even gave up social activities, fearing that regular outings would unsettle him.
After some pleasantries, I learned from
Summer that she was going to a newly listed
company.
The offer was several times better than
before.
“Sarah, I’m going abroad, and I don’t know when we’ll see each other again. I’ve made a
reservation; you have to come, okay?”
Summer’s voice held a hint of reluctance.
I cleared my throat and tentatively asked:
“Could you ask if they have any openings?
We could go abroad together.”
After a few seconds of silence, a shriek
erupted.
“Are you kidding? You really want to go
abroad?”
I confirmed, and Summer became even more
excited.
“Of course! With your skills, big companies
will be scrambling for you.”
“Wait, I’ll finish up here, and we’ll talk properly
when we meet!”
