Chapter 7
I opened the cancellation confirmation and checked the timestamp again.
Ten oh three last night.
I’d forwarded it to Daniel before boarding that morning.
I didn’t explain again. I put my phone beside me and continued updating a coworker on the project.
My sister brought over a plate of noodles. She glanced at the message and frowned.
“That’s all he asked?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t even ask if you got home?”
I took the plate.
“Let’s eat. I need to check the drawings this afternoon.”
She pulled out a chair across from me and let it go.
After lunch, I slept for two hours.
When I woke, there were several messages from Daniel.
“It’s a hassle to rearrange everything at the last minute.”
“You should have made it clear you were changing the plans.”
The last one read:
“Forget it. I’ll handle it.”
I saved a record of the forwarded emails and closed the conversation.
That afternoon, the boat charter company called.
They wanted to know whether to keep the setup I’d requested for our photos.
I sat up.
“My reservation was canceled.”
“Yes. Daniel booked and paid for today’s excursion separately. We wanted to confirm whether you’d like us to transfer the anniversary setup to his booking.”
“That’s his reservation. Please ask him directly. Don’t transfer any of my custom arrangements.”
The representative apologized and agreed to keep the bookings separate.
After hanging up, I checked the refund notice.
The amount was correct.
No new charges.
My sister passed the doorway carrying clean sheets and stopped when she saw the trip paperwork in my hand.
“Still sorting it out?”
“It’s done. He booked the boat again.”
She looked at me and set down the sheets.
“Want to go for a walk?”
I shook my head.
“I’d like to finish my work today. I’ll go grocery shopping with you tomorrow.”
She nodded and pulled the door partly closed.
That evening, I opened my phone and saw a new photo on Rachel’s social media.
She stood at the bow, her hair blowing in the wind.
Daniel stood behind her with his hand on her waist.
I recognized the boat.
The charter company had sent me three options. I’d chosen that one because of the shaded seating at the stern, where we could enjoy a long lunch.
Now two wineglasses sat on the table.
The caption was one sentence.
“Thank you for always knowing how to make me happy.”
I saved the photo and locked my screen.
My sister came to call me for dinner. When she saw me sitting motionless, she walked over and rested a hand on my shoulder.
“You can tell me if it hurts.”
“It does. A little.”
I held her hand for a moment.
“I used to think he really didn’t have time.”
This time, he had time for a boat trip.
Time to pose for pictures.
Patience to re-book an excursion I’d canceled.
Yet since I’d left, he hadn’t asked where I was.
My sister pulled up a chair.
I opened my laptop and made a list of what I needed for Monday.
My monitor.
My drawing tablet.
The project files still in the office at home.
“Will you go back with me tomorrow?” I asked. “I’ll get my work things and some clothes.”
“Of course. We’ll go in the morning.”
I put the travel records in a folder and added my important documents to the list.
That night, Daniel finally sent a message that wasn’t about the itinerary.
“I bought you a gift. I’ll bring it home.”
I read it without replying.
From the doorway, my sister asked, “Will one suitcase be enough?”
I opened the closet and looked at the few clothes I’d hung there.
“Let’s take two.”