‘I was forgiven.’
by Melanie Hemry
Latisha Stephens sank onto the sofa, leaned her head against the cushion, and closed her eyes. The quiet seemed hollow without her sons, ages 11 and 13. Quiet was what she needed. Time to think, process and decide what to do with her life. That’s why she’d agreed to housesit for a friend who’d gone on vacation.
This was her time to decide if she was going to give up on the nine-year relationship with her boyfriend. He was a great guy. They’d bought a home together with property where the boys loved to play. They’d talked a lot about marriage. Talked. A lot. For nine years.
Taking a shuddering breath, Latisha made herself confront the truth. It would continue to go on being a topic of discussion. Not a reality. Could she live with that? She didn’t know. What she did know was that it felt less like a relationship and more like having a nice roommate. He paid his bills and lived his own life. She paid her bills and wondered why he didn’t care what she did. That’s what wasn’t working for her. A life together should mean more than that.
Sorrow made her feel exhausted. Defeated. She’d stayed in the relationship for nine years because she wanted it to work. She didn’t want to fail. Again. She already had several failed relationships and a failed marriage on her romantic résumé.
BVOV : 15
