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Mary

I couldn’t stand another minute at that wretched brunch with my judgemental mother and her superficial society wives’ friends. Their constant criticism about my clothes, my love life, and my entire existence was suffocating me. As soon as I could, I slipped away under the pretense of having urgent work to attend to.

My phone pings with another message from my mother scolding me for my ‘rude exit’.

Work on a Saturday? Preposterous.

Working on the weekend may seem absurd to some, but to me, this office is my happy place. In this room, I do not constantly feel lacking or incomplete.

Here, I can regain control and focus on what matters. My career.

And for now, that is enough.

I open the chat with Chris and type.

Mary: Why aren’t you answering?

Mary: At least let me know you’re okay.

I sigh, leaning back in my desk chair and closing my eyes. Even though I try desperately to forget him, he’s always on my mind, and every time I do the Savasana, he’s disrupting it. Our night together was so passionate, so tender…

I’ve replayed it countless times in my mind, analyzing every detail. What did I do wrong? Why did he leave without a word? The sadness in his note offering only a simple apology... I just don’t understand.

My mother’s voice creeps back into my thoughts. “You’re almost 30, Mary. All the good men your age are married by now. No one wants raisins. If you don’t hurry, you’ll end up alone!”

She’s right... maybe that’s why Chris left.

A sob catches in my throat. I thought I was cried out, but apparently not. Pressing my palms to my eyes, I try to dam the fresh wave of tears.

I gave him everything—my body, my trust, my fragile heart—and he threw it all away without a second thought.

No more blind, naive trust. It’s time to open my eyes to reality. From now on, I’ll rely only on myself.

I take a tissue and wipe my eyes.

I am proud of who I am and what I’ve accomplished on my own. My goals, my dreams... those are mine alone. Not my mother’s. Not society’s. Mine.

The glow of the computer screen in the dark office soothes me. This is my element. Success in my career may not fit themold of what’s expected from a woman my age, but I won’t compromise my ambitions.

I don’t need a man.

Putting on my earphones, I lose myself in the rhythm of the music while cross-checking spreadsheets. Late evening is the most productive time for me. It always has been, even in college.

My phone lights up, and I glance down to see a notification from our group chat.

Earlier, I had asked them about two pictures I found in a local gallery. Both would fit in our living room. One shows the ocean with a sunset, and the other shows a field of flowers.

Gemma: The first one is nice. How much wall space does it take up?

Lil: No. The second one is better. Love it! So artsy!

Mary: Great. Now, my vote counts?

Gemma: Seems like it.

Mary: I don’t want to decide.

Gemma: Surprise us ;)

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