than because of who you are.
But I didn’t realize how heavy they were. Not just physically, but mentally. Pulling them on felt
like I was encasing myself in cement. Like they buffered me from the world. And maybe, just maybe,
that’s not a good thing.
These new clothes don’t magically make me a different person, but I do feel…lighter. And I think
I like it.
I’m on the last bite of my bagel when my phone rings. I stare at it, honestly baffled, then pick it up,
swallowing quickly.
“Abigail. Are you ok? You never phone.” I didn’t realize she knew how. The woman has never
once phoned me, but I swear her screen smokes when she texts. She’s that fast. We’ve been texting
regularly for the last couple of days, and I’m truly feeling like we’re friends for maybe the first time
ever.
A small sniffle in my ear, then a watery voice. “We broke up.” She’s never sounded like this.
Abigail is a force of nature, with an infectious laugh and a stunning smile. This is all wrong.
“Oh no,” I say softly. “What happened? I thought things were good between you?” She’s been with
him for years. I can’t imagine she would have stayed with him this long if he wasn’t a good guy.
“I thought they were too,” she says with a sniff, “until I caught him at home with another woman
on his dick.”
My stomach drops at the pain in her voice. “Oh no.”
“Yeah. I had a bunch of interviews lined up, but the last one was canceled, and when I came
home, I caught them.” Her voice hardens. “He had the nerve to say it was an accident. Tripping on a
curb is an accident. This? No way.” How does a man cheat on a woman as vibrant and loving as
Abigail? It doesn’t compute.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I spent the night at a hotel, but I can’t afford to do that every night. The job hunting
is not going well at all, and I’m just so frustrated. Why did he have to fuck up?” she groans. I can
picture her shaking her fist at the sky, cursing her boyfriend’s name.
“Do you…have family you could stay with?” I wince. “Now that I asked it, I feel bad that I don’t
know the answer.”
“No, I don’t have anyone left. Just some cousins, but they’re younger, and they’re not really
