8. Dad…Did Mom Leave? Michelle I adjusted the jacket I chose for the interview, trying to project confidence, even though my sweaty hands betrayed me. I know Dylan will find something for me, even if it’s a cleaning position, but the uncertainty is still there, causing a knot in my stomach. I run my hands through my hair, giving it some shape and volume before leaving my room. In the kitchen, my parents are having breakfast cheerfully, as if my worries don’t affect them at all. Maybe they’re pretending not to make me feel bad, or perhaps they really believe everything will be fine. Either way, I appreciate their attitude. “Good morning. Mom, I’ll just have a cup of coffee.” She immediately shakes her head. “No, missy, not just coffee. It’s better if you eat something. I made you a sandwich.” I make a childish face, causing both of them to laugh. “You look good, sweetheart. I’m sure there’s a very good position waiting for you.” I hope he’s right. I haven’t worked in years, so I feel a bit rusty. After finishing breakfast, I brush my teeth and check my reflection one last time. I’m struck by a strange feeling: I was always the one who made breakfast for my family, but lately, I’ve been getting used to being taken care of. I haven’t told them yet that I’m moving today, but as soon as I get back, I’ll talk to them for sure. I got in my car and headed to Dylan’s company. Upon arrival, I was taken aback by the impressive building. I take a deep breath before entering. “Good morning. I’m Michelle Gómez. I have an appointment with Mr. Dylan Morrison.” The receptionist calls Dylan’s assistant and directs me to the elevator. Twelfth floor. I press the button and go up, feeling my anxiety rise with me. It was my first job interview, a completely new experience. But I suppose that from today, there will be many firsts waiting for me. When the doors open, I take a deep breath and walk firmly. Although inside I tremble like a leaf, at least on the outside I must appear confident. “Good morning. I’m Michelle Gómez. The woman who greets me raises an eyebrow, evaluating me with an inscrutable expression. Her appearance makes it clear she doesn’t like me. “Yes, good morning. Mr. Morrison is expecting you. This way, please.” I follow her as a trace of her perfume lingers in the air. She is a beautiful woman, the kind that turns heads: long blonde hair, though clearly dyed, green eyes that look like they’re from contact lenses, long legs, a small waist, and wide hips. Her figure shows she hits the gym, which makes me think that maybe I should start exercising too. I’ll have more time for myself now, so adding an exercise routine and a healthy diet to my life wouldn’t be a bad idea. “After you, ma’am.” I opened my eyes in surprise. Ma’am? Do I look older? I look at my outfit and admit it looks a bit outdated. Okay, I’ll add a visit to the mall to my to-do list. “Thank you, miss…” I look for her name on the badge. “Leonor.” I gave her a polite but distant smile. She responds with a barely-there smile before knocking on the door. “Dylan, here’s the person you were expecting.” The man stands up, looking overly excited. “Michez! Come in, please. Leonor, bring us coffee.” She barely nods and leaves. Once we’re alone, I dare to make a comment. “I don’t think your assistant likes me.” Dylan looks uncomfortable but dismisses it with a gesture. “Don’t mind her. She’s just the assistant.” He takes a seat and offers me one in front of his desk. I squint, wondering if there’s more behind his response. “I’m glad you could come today. I’ve been reviewing the information you provided, and I think I already have the ideal position for you.” After his call, I sent him my resume via message, so I suppose he’s already reviewed it thoroughly. “Really?” My voice sounds more excited than I’d like. “You need to look professional, Michelle. Control yourself.” I cleared my throat, but I knew he had already noticed my enthusiasm. “Hahaha, yes. I saw you worked in marketing at your husband’s company. We’re precisely looking for creative staff. Would you be interested in starting in an assistant position?” “Is that a trick question? Of course, I’m interested!” We both laughed at my clear excitement. Ahem, ahem. Leonor returns, placing the coffee on the table with an unfriendly gesture. “Here are the coffees. Anything else, Dylan?” I noticed her familiar tone, something I hadn’t caught before. I had better look away. “That’s all. You can go. Oh, and by the way, ask Robert to come to my office.” She leaves, and I can’t help but make a comment. “She definitely isn’t fond of me.” Dylan lowers his gaze, blushing slightly. “Well… I have to confess something. Years ago, when Cecil died, I felt lost. Maybe she approached me and I didn’t refuse. But soon after, I realized my mistake and asked her to forget any hopes she had for me. Since then, I’ve only focused on Susy.” Of everything he says, there’s one word that repeats in my mind. “Are you a widower?” I realize my question is too direct. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Dylan smiles sadly and nods. “That’s right,” he responds with a heavy sigh. My wife had a heart condition and, after the birth of our daughter, her health deteriorated rapidly. We couldn’t do anything, her body simply didn’t respond to the treatments. He pauses, as if searching for the strength to continue. “So Susy grew up without knowing her mother, and I’ve tried to make up for that absence as best as I could. I never sought anyone to replace the love I had for Cecil, even though she barely remembers her.” His story breaks my heart. Growing up without a mother’s love must be one of the hardest experiences to endure. I, on the other hand, was lucky to raise my daughter, to fill her with love and support at every stage of her life, even if she didn’t fully appreciate me. But not everyone had that opportunity. “I’m really sorry, truly,” I say sincerely. “But I’m sure you’re doing a great job.” An awkward silence stretches between us until the sound of the door interrupts the room. A tall man with curly hair and glasses enters the office with a confident stride. “Good morning,” he greets, addressing my new boss. “Dylan… I was told you needed me.” Dylan stands up and gestures with his hand. “Yes, Robert. I want to introduce you to Michelle, your new assistant.” Robert offers me his hand with a warm and welcoming smile. “Welcome to the team, Michelle. I hope we work comfortably together and achieve great things.” His kindness makes me feel more comfortable in the environment. I returned his smile with gratitude. “I hope so too.” “So, when do I start?” I ask with enthusiasm. They both chuckled at my eagerness. “First, you need to visit Human Resources and complete some paperwork,” Dylan explains to me. “But if everything is in order, how about starting tomorrow?” I stood up, adjusting the bag on my shoulder with determination. “Of course. See you tomorrow, then.” I said goodbye to them both and headed towards the area they had indicated. As I rode down the elevator, I couldn’t help but smile. What were the odds that the most disastrous day of my life would lead me to reconnect with people from my past and end up with a secure job? I must have good luck. **** “I don’t want you to go.” After browsing through the mall and buying a couple of suits, blouses, and skirts, I returned home to give my parents the news: I’m leaving. I didn’t think my mother would react with such distress. Her expression of sadness moves me, and when her eyes start to well up, I hug her tenderly, trying to console her. “Don’t worry, I’ll visit you often.” I know they feel like they’ve gotten back the Michelle who left home ten years ago. But I’m no longer that inexperienced young woman who left in search of happiness. Now I’m a woman pursuing her independence, seeking her own place in the world. My mother is not entirely satisfied. I notice it in the way she presses her lips and avoids looking me in the eyes, but I also see a hint of resignation in her. It’s time to fly again. When I arrive at my new apartment, a strange sensation takes hold of me. I stand at the door, holding the key, taking in the fact that this place is mine. Only mine. I take a deep breath and cross the threshold. I leave the bag with the food on the table and the suitcase in the living room. I instinctively walk to the small balcony, where the night wind greets me with a gentle and fragrant breeze. The pots overflowing with life give off a fresh and relaxing aroma. I approached the railing and closed my eyes. The moon peeks out in the sky, illuminating my skin with its silvery glow. Today begins a new chapter in my story, one I must write more carefully, with more awareness. Now I have more experience, more scars, and more dreams than ever. I just hope that, on this new path, I can find someone to share happiness with, someone who lets me make them happy too. ***** Ryan The flight home was delayed longer than I expected. We were supposed to have landed three hours ago. Candace, exhausted, slept throughout the entire journey back and continued sleeping in the taxi. I know she misses her bed and her mother’s cooking, even if she doesn’t say it. When the taxi finally stops in front of the house, I gently shake her. “Honey, wake up. We’re here.” Candace stretches lazily in the seat, blinking sleepily. Outside, the driver unloads our suitcases. “Take yours,” I told her. She drags it along without much enthusiasm. Her trophy is safely tucked inside. She won it in her category, securing a spot in the regionals. I’m proud of her, but the exhaustion on her face tells me all she wants right now is to lie down. As we walked up the driveway, a knot formed in my stomach. Michelle must be worried by now. We hadn’t spoken in days, and when she called, I didn’t answer. I knew it wasn’t right for me, but at that moment I didn’t know what to say to her. How can I explain that my indecision continues to hurt her? Blake insists more and more, but I… I’m still trapped in this reality. I’m married to Michelle, yet unable to ask her for a divorce. I opened the door, expecting to find the familiar home waiting for us. Instead, we’re met with an unfamiliar silence. Candace frowns and looks at me with concern. “Could Mom have stepped out?” I have no answer. We got up the stairs in silence. She goes to her room; I go to mine. But when I open the door, something doesn’t fit. There’s an odd sensation, as if the air feels lighter. As if the room has lost its essence. I leave my suitcase on the floor and look around. Something is wrong. I took the phone and dialed Michelle’s number. It rings several times before going to voicemail. I try again. Nothing. A third attempt. The same. A chill runs down my spine. I took a deep breath and walk to the closet. I opened the door. Empty. My eyes scan the space where her dresses, her shoes, her boxes of memories used to be. Now there are only empty hangers, swaying silently. I step back, feeling the confusion morph into growing anguish. I walked to the nightstand on her side of the bed. Also empty. I opened the drawers. Nothing. I go to the bathroom, almost hoping I’m imagining it all. But her things aren’t there either. The air feels colder. What on earth is going on? I hear the front door open and my heart skips a beat. I turn with the hope of seeing her come in. But it’s not Michelle. Candace is at the door of the room, her eyes wide and her voice trembling. “Dad… Is Mom gone?”