CHAPTER 9: THE ENCOUNTER
I ran into Mark at the grocery store, two years after his release.
He was pushing a cart, filling it with groceries, looking like a regular person doing regular things.
I almost didn't recognize him.
"Evelyn," he said, surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Same."
"Lily—is she okay?"
"She's good."
"I'm glad."
We stood there awkwardly.
"How are you?" I finally asked.
"I'm okay," he said. "I'm in therapy. I have a job. I'm staying clean."
"Good."
"I know I can't undo what I did."
"Mark, I've spent a long time being angry at you. And I'm tired of it. I'm not saying I forgive you. But I'm done carrying the anger."
He nodded.
"That's more than I deserve."
"Maybe. But I don't care about what you deserve. I care about what I need. And I need to move on."
He smiled.
"Thank you."
I smiled back.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
I walked away, and I felt lighter than I had in years.
May you like
I had let go of the weight.
And I was finally free.
