Page 80 of Fauxmance

The doctor didn't exactly sound happy about it.

"That's why I had to cancel last Friday," she explained. "And it's not that I dislike her. She is who she is, and we're different. I accept that. But I hate having to drop everything."

"That's understandable," I said.

"Then I get a text saying she wants us to go shopping later—which basically means she wants to buy me new clothes because the ones I have aren't good enough."

I looked her over. "But you have great clothes."

"Thank you, Magnolia. My mother-in-law says my sense of fashion is dull and too working-class. She wants me to look like a lady."

"Must not be a big fan of the pencil skirt," I commented which made her laugh.

When Dr. Moorehouselooked at me, she was smiling for real. "Okay, enough about me and my week. You mentioned something about an elevator? That sounds a hundred times more interesting. Would you please tell me again? I promise you have my full attention."

I went through everything, and by the time I was done, her eyes were wide as dinner plates.

"Wow," she said. "So, you have a fake boyfriend?"

I nodded.

"I can't believe I got distracted right at the good part."

"Doctor M, come on."

She waved a hand in front of her face. "Sorry, sorry. That just sounds like something out of the romance books I love to read."

"Yeah"—I laughed—"me, too. But now, it's my life."

Her face turned serious then. "How are you feeling about Sean?"

"Honestly, the more time we spend apart, the more I realize I was blind to a lot. He didn't even think twice about letting me and my sister down." I shook my head. "I'm not sure he really loved me. I think he was just waiting for something better to come along."

It was still painful to say it.

"He's not who I thought he was—which makes it harder and easier somehow. If that makes sense?"

"It does," she said. "Sometimes we build people up in our minds only to be disappointed when they don't measure up."

"Maybe I was the one who didn't measure up," I mumbled.

Doctor Moorehousetilted her head from side to side. "Sean might think that. But in your case, it sounds like you only saw his good attributes, and now, you see another side. The good thing is maybe seeing his flaws are allowing you to let go faster. That's not necessarily a bad thing, Magnolia."

"Yeah, but…I hate losing people," I said. "You know that."

Her eyes went soft. "I do."

"Sean was a big part of my life for a long time. I feel kind of heartless, getting over him so quickly."

"Please Magnolia, you're a sweetheart."

"But shouldn't I be depressed, miserable for longer?"

"Everyone has a different grieving period," she said then gently added, "and some losses are greater than others."

That was true.

Oh how true I knew that statement was.

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