- 6.
I woke up in a small clinic, an IV in my arm.
David sat beside me, looking exhausted.
Seeing him didn’t hurt as much as I thought it
would. I felt strangely calm.
I tried to sit up.
<
“Don’t move. It took forever to get that IV in.”
I stopped. Not because he said so, but
because I knew resources were scarce here.
“What are you doing here?” My voice was
hoarse.
He stared at me, his voice laced with concern
and reproach.
“You’ve lost so much weight. Why are you
pushing yourself with your ulcer so bad?”
“Anna, you’re being reckless. You shouldn’t
have just run off without a word!”
“Why can’t you be more like Sarah-”
III never pe like Saran, I interruptea.
“And I lost the right to be ‘reckless‘ a long
time ago, didn’t I?”
Maybe I was reckless when David loved me.
But after Sarah, I’d walked on eggshells.
Only the favored one gets to be carefree.
He frowned, about to yell, but stopped
himself.
“Anna, let’s not fight. Pack your things. We’re
going home.”
“David,” I said calmly, “we’re not together
anymore, are we?”
<
He ran a hand through his buzz cut.
“I never withdrew the application. I was just
angry.”
I gave him a flat look.
“I meant it. I’m not going back, and I’m not
marrying you.”
“If that’s all, please leave.”
I turned away.
I’d found my purpose.
Standing before my students, hearing them
call me “Ms. Anna,” I knew I belonged here.
“Not going back? Do you know how serious
L
your ulcer is? You’re killing yourself!” he
shouted.
I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep. I was
tired of fighting.
After a while, I heard him whisper, “I know
you don’t like Sarah. She’s getting married
next month. Are you happy now?”
I opened my eyes, shocked.
I’d thought he had feelings for Sarah.
I’d assumed he’d marry her after I left.
He continued, “Sarah’s always been like a
sister. You never believed me.”
“Let’s stop this, okay? I’ll give you a proper
wedding when we get back.”
The thought brought back painful memories.
“David, I’m not going back with you,” I said
firmly.
We stayed like that until John arrived.
