Catherine Lombardi | Past Life
Short nonfiction from the coalitionist mixed bag. Sunpatch.
I’d read the same paragraph three times but it wasn’t for the reason my sister thought it was. She assumed it bothered me that my soon-to-be ex-husband was in his room with a man. His latest boyfriend to be precise.
Seriously though, I wasn't upset. What bothered me was my sister staring at me expecting me to be upset. This, of course, made me worry because I wasn’t. Was something wrong with me? Should I be upset? I put my book down and thought. Nope. Still not upset.
Sure we’d been together since high school. Over 10 years. The truth was, after multiple panic attacks, I was looking forward to starting over on my own. Maybe I was ready to leave this little town and little life. Maybe my soul knew my forever love was out there waiting for me to find him. Ok, that was super cheesy but I don’t care.
My ex had come out of the closet a few months prior. After the shock had dissolved it made sense and I wanted him to be happy. More importantly, I wanted ME to be happy.
“You know I didn’t ask you to come over. Why exactly ARE you here?” I asked.
“I’m here to support you!” My sister said, adding venomously, “I can NOT believe that jerk had some stranger spend the night in YOUR house!”
She huffed and began pacing. She was taking this harder than I was. I offered her a seat on the couch next to me. She sat and crossed her arms.
“I love you. And I truly appreciate your support. Now I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this a few times but here we go. I’m not upset. The guy seems nice enough. I hope it works out between them.”
I patted her arm, forcing her to look at me as I pointed to myself, “This is me. Not upset.
And this is you agreeing to help me pack the rest of my stuff. The dogs and I are heading south in the morning.”
“Ha. Fine. Wait? He’s really making you take the dogs?!”
“Making me? No way. Those two mutts and the truck were the only things we fought about!”
The next morning I whistled adding, “Come on Daisy and Walter, it’s time to blow this popsicle stand.”
They happily hopped in the truck. Daisy stuck her head out the window and panted. She never let Walter have the window seat. Poor guy.
“Well. I’m ready. You gonna be ok?”
I regretted asking. It was habit. Hard to stop caring about someone I guess.
He smiled and offered me a hug, “Call me when you get settled?”
“Of course.”
We wiped a few tears and hugged one last time.
I started the engine and scratched Walter’s head, “Let’s get out of here.”
Daisy barked as we drove out of the driveway. “Here we come new life and new love!”
Hey, I told you I was a romantic!
Catherine grew up in Northern Michigan where long walks through the forest were a daily adventure. Now, her family strolls the sunny shores and vibrant woods along Florida's Atlantic coast. She thrives on spinning stories, folktales, make-your-choice-adventures, and anything else that leaks from her brain. https://catherinelombardi.weebly.com/