I ran my fingertips over its lace sleeve.
I remembered visiting the bridal shop with Mom.
She’d called me beautiful, and I’d studied my reflection while imagining a future with Seth.
A husband.
A home.
Perhaps children of our own.
I sat on my bed and cried.
Not because I regretted leaving.
Because I’d wanted that future so desperately.
Around four, Heather sent another message.
Colin managed to switch two shifts. He can take the kids Tuesday and Wednesday. I have one personal day left, and my supervisor approved it for Monday. I’m still working on Thursday and Friday.
I read it twice.
Her difficulties hadn’t magically disappeared.
She still needed arrangements for the remainder of the week.
Perhaps she’d have to take unpaid leave or pay more for another childcare provider than she could comfortably manage.
But she was actively finding solutions.
And on Monday, her children would be cared for without me sacrificing my job.
