Page 94 of My Only

By the time we’d taken our last bites of food, I knew.

He wasn’t coming.

He hadn’t replied to my message either.

And I couldn’t complain. Couldn’t seem sad about it. Because he was working on this huge project that we were all so proud of him for.

I need my bed right now.

“You’re leaving, Ayla?” Mrs. Franklin asked as she wrapped her arms around me.

“Yeah.” I hugged her tight. “I need to go home and rest before school tomorrow. There are only a few weeks left, and I want to make sure everything’s in place so I can end the school year right.”

That was partly true.

The truth was, I was tired.

Tired of pretending I wasn’t upset.

Tired of trying not to care.

After saying my goodbyes to Mr. Franklin as well, I joined my mother at the front door.

She smiled at me as I pushed my arms through my denim jacket. Then, with a knowing look, she asked, “So…?”

I met her gaze and nodded slowly. “He’s great, Mama. Absolutely perfect for you.”

“But do you like him?”

“I do,” I answered. “I like him a lot.”

But even as the words left my lips, I felt my chin quiver, beyond my control.

And when I tried to stop it, I felt my eyes well with tears.

My mother noticed.

Her face mirrored mine before she nodded, inhaling a deep breath. “I know, I know.”

She held out her arms, and I walked right into them, hugging her tight, fighting to keep my emotions in check.

The tears weren’t just sad.

They were happy too.

Happy that she was finally moving on.

And sad because she was finally moving on.

She held me tighter, her voice soft in my ear.

“Your daddy will always be in my heart, Ayla,” she whispered. “I promise you that. I swear.”

“I know,” I said softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too, beloved,” my mother replied, pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. “Call me when you get home, so I know you got there safely.”

“I will.”

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