Chapter 17 - My First Trip Alone
I used the old airline credit.
Mine.
The ticket Daniel originally canceled.
I booked Italy.
Alone.
Emma immediately objected.
“You can’t go alone.”
I laughed.
“That sentence sounds familiar.”
She caught herself.
“Sorry.”
Then smiled.
“Can I come for three days?”
That was different.
“Yes.”
We met in Rome halfway through my trip.
Walked too much.
Ate badly timed gelato.
Got lost.
Emma asked about my marriage to her father.
Not the ending.
The beginning.
“Were you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Was Dad?”
“For a long time, I think so.”
“Then what happened?”
“I don’t know exactly.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Less now.”
She looked thoughtful.
Then:
“Do you think people can change?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think Dad has?”
“Some.”
“Enough?”
“That’s not my question anymore.”
She smiled.
“Good answer.”
When Emma flew home, I continued to Florence alone.
At sunset, I sat overlooking the city.
No husband.
No family schedule.
No emergency phone call.
No one lying about where they were.
I expected loneliness.
May you like
Instead, I felt space.
There is a difference.
