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“You alright?”
“No, not really. I just need to get home. While it’s still home, anyway.”
A few days later, Emma was in her bedroom, packing knickknacks and books into a box. Her heart sank into a bottomless pit when she came across the snow globe that Chad had given her on their second date. With trembling fingers, she grazed the smooth surface of the glass dome as if it held all her broken dreams inside.
Lisa entered with an empty box. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay. It’s the packing.” Emma set down the globe and collapsed onto the bed. “I’m feeling a bit...I don’t know. This is all just a lot.”
Lisa took a seat beside Emma. “Well, how about a break? I’ll make us tea.”
“Sure,” Emma said, her voice almost too quiet to hear.
“Or we can go out. We could get dressed up and grab some drinks.”
“Now that’s tempting...” A hint of interest flickered in Emma’s eyes as she paused, almost tasting the long-overdue strawberry margarita. “But not tonight. I’d rather stay in. I don’t have much time left here.”
“How about a movie night, then? We can watch something funny, get our minds off things. I can grab some ice cream—the chocolaty kind with the peanut butter chips that you love.”
“I guess. I’m not hungry though.”
“You might be in a little while. For starters, let’s go downstairs and pick out a movie. We can finish packing tomorrow.” Lisa grinned, extending a hand to Emma. “Come on, let’s go get our Netflix on!”
Before Emma could stand, all seventy pounds of Riley bounded onto the bed, sending tremors through the mattress. He scrambled onto her lap, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he whined for attention. It was as if he had forgotten he was no longer the little golden retriever pup she’d adopted five years ago. “Riley, be careful, boy. You’re squishing me.”
“Ah, canine therapy,” Lisa said. “Works every time.”
Emma chuckled at Riley’s antics and reached down to rub his belly, feeling the soft fur beneath her fingers. Through every tear, every rage-filled rant, he had been her constant. The judge had been right to give her custody. Chad had never been a fan of animals and had even scolded her when she picked him up from the rescue. But since Riley had kept her occupied and out of Chad’s business, he tolerated him.
The divorce proceedings had brought to light the signs that were there all along but were difficult for her to see. Deep down, she had known their marriage was crumbling. Although she’d tried to hold on, to believe that things would get better, they never did. Chad, the man she had once fallen in love with, had changed over time, and the reality of it all was too painful to bear.
Emma eyed the unfinished boxes scattered on the ground.
“So, have you thought about what you’re gonna do?” Lisa asked, sinking back on her elbows.
Emma moved up to Riley’s ears, scratching behind them, and looked up at the wall. There, above the side of her bed, hung a painting of the ocean that she hardly noticed anymore. But today, her eyes were drawn to its crashing waves, which seemed to mirror her own desire for change. “I think I’m gonna look for a place closer to the water. A small cottage for me and Riley. We don’t need a big place...just something cozy and quiet.”
“That sounds lovely. Have you started looking yet?”
“No—I should, though. It’s a lot to think about right now.”
“Don’t let this stress you out.” Lisa took Emma’s hand. “I’ll text a few of my realtor friends to see if they have any listings near the water. I’m sure we can find you a place in no time.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” A lump formed in Emma’s throat, and her voice quivered. “Seriously, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Lisa leaned in, giving Emma a quick hug. “That’s what friends are for. Now let’s pick out that movie.”
She nodded, then followed Lisa out of the room. As she closed the bedroom door, her thoughts ventured to the prospect of moving into a beachside cottage. The idea filled Emma with hope and excitement, a glimmer of happiness amidst the chaos of her divorce. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she envisioned herself walking along the shore with a salty breeze in her hair, basking in the serenity of her new coastal sanctuary.
Though as she descended the stairs, a mix of sadness and resolve weighed on Emma. The future loomed, uncertain and intimidating. Yet, she knew she couldn’t cling to the past.
Somehow, some way, she would have to learn how to begin again and leave behind the life she thought she’d always have.
2
Luke
Chicago
