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He pulled the chair out for me, which was draped in a blue cover. I sat down and he sat next to me.

Priscilla sat to my right, and I could feel the daggers she was throwing my way. I kept my eyes locked on the blue bird in the cage in front of us. At events like these, I felt a lot like that bird—dead inside and in a cage where everyone could see me.

Mrs. Carter got up from her chair, made her way to the small stage, and took her spot in the middle with a microphone.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for being here. After having to cancel last year, we at the Great Tits Foundation wanted to make this year even bigger and better. We have a wonderful night planned for all of you. To kick off the event, we do have an announcement.” She paused dramatically as the crowd gasped. “As you all know, my father was the Chairman for over thirty years. After his passing last year, we’ve been on the hunt for a replacement. After much consideration, we would like to announce that my son, Thad Carter, will be stepping into the Chairman role of the Great Tits Foundation.”

My mouth hung open and I looked at Thad.

“For real?” I mouthed.

He nodded.

“Son, would you mind coming up here to say a few words?” His mother asked into the microphone.

Thad got up and went to the center of the stage. As soon as he was up there, his mom wrapped him in a tight hug. He took the microphone from her hand.

“Hello, I am Thad Carter. I’m the grandson of George, the founder of this incredible foundation. I’m honored to be your new Chairman.” There was a round of applause and cheers. “Today we are here …”

My stomach knotted and I blacked out. Thad knew about the new position, why didn’t he tell me?

BEFORE YOU GO

Earlier Today

My alarm blared. “Happy moving day!”

I rolled over to find Thad’s spot in the bed empty.

“Babe?” I called out, still snuggled under the blankets.

No response.

“Thad?”

Nothing.

I checked my phone and saw a text from him.

Thad: Went for a run.

Rose: Okay! I’ll have coffee ready for you.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed as the realization hit me. Last night was the last time I would ever sleep in this room.

Thad and I had agreed—it made financial sense to keep the Seattle apartment and rent it out. The cost of living in Wippowa was much cheaper, so the bed would stay. Most of the furniture would. Thad said we’d start fresh when we got there. Everything would finally be ours, not just his.

I studied my reflection in the mirror, the exhaustion from a restless night evident in the dark smudges under my eyes. Today was, by all accounts, the biggest day of my life.

Last night’s event had been… interesting. Beyond the not-so-lovely conversation I’d overheard—one I couldn’t stop replaying—I kept circling back to the same thought. Why hadn’t Thad told me about being placed in a leadership role for the Foundation? It wasn’t bad news. It was actually great news, which made his secrecy even more confusing.

Still, despite the unanswered questions, a weight had been lifted. With this move finally here, I felt lighter, freer.

Telling my parents about Wippowa had been a moment I’d braced myself for, expecting concern or hesitation. Instead, they were ecstatic. Ecstatic. Not at all the reaction I had anticipated. But when I asked why, they simply said they were ready for their own change. My move was the push they needed. They were selling their house, buying a camper, and setting off to travel the country. They’d always dreamed of it, and now, they were making their dreams a reality.

It’s never too late to follow your dreams.

I finished getting ready, moving through the apartment with a newfound awareness, drinking in the details one last time. The way the morning light poured through the massive windows. The steady hum of the city below. The kitchen island where I sat for breakfast while Thad got ready for work.