Chapter 3
In the car, I spotted a woman’s blouse and a
baby bottle in the back.
“My friend and his wife left those here last
time they visited.”
Daby Dollie in the pack.
“My friend and his wife left those here last
time they visited.”
John’s explanation was hurried.
I remembered his words in the hospital room.
I couldn’t grasp how he could claim to love
me while being with someone else, having a
child.
I stayed silent, staring out the window.
He chatted the entire ride, asking about my
year abroad.
I barely listened, wanting only to hear the
truth from him.
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I barely listened, wanting only to hear the
truth from him.
A sniffle coming on, I reached for a tissue in
the glove compartment.
Inside was a box of expensive–looking
tissues.
As I reached, John stopped me.
“Use the ones in the bag. Those are scented,
and I remember you liking scented tissues.”
I froze.
I hated scented tissues.
They always made me sneeze.
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I hated scented tissues.
They always made me sneeze.
He’d once seen me sneeze and said, “I‘||
remember you can’t use scented tissues.”
I retracted my hand, staring at the box.
–
I recognized them from online pricey,
designed for babies.
He didn’t want to waste them on me.
It was laughable.
“I don’t like scented tissues.”
“What? You always used to.”
<
“I don’t like scented tissues.”
“What? You always used to.‘
John hadn’t caught on yet.
I closed my eyes, feigning sleep.
At the restaurant, he ordered three dishes.
“Eat up. You must be tired after your trip.”
I stared at the food, unable to eat.
Every dish had celery.
I hated celery.
He used to remember, always picking it out
for me.
Oblivious, he continued eating, “So, what are
you doing back? I thought you hadn’t
graduated yet?”
He’d forgotten everything.
My dislikes, the tissues, his promise.
I forced down a bite of celery beef.
“I graduated…”
His phone rang.
The caller ID: Wife.
Panic flashed in his eyes as he answered,
lowering his voice.
<
He listened, then replied, “I’ll be right there.”
He hung up, looking at me. “There’s been an
emergency. I have to go.”
“Ashley, eat without me. I’ll throw you a
proper welcome party tomorrow.”
Before I could respond, he grabbed his keys
and left.
Watching him go, my heart felt pierced.
I’d counted down the days, eager to return
and be with him.
Now, it was all gone.
His promise had vanished like a bubble.
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དདང་
His promise had vanished like a bubble.
