2. My Brother’s Friend Michelle “Michelle?” As I walk out of the competition venue, tears blur my vision. The only thing I can clearly perceive is the pain in my heart. I looked up and saw a familiar face. “Abdiel? Is that you?” The man rushes towards me, lifts me into the air, and spins me around. It was unexpected, so suddenly, I didn’t know how to react. “Oh, I’m dizzy!” I let out a spontaneous laugh that, at least for a moment, distracts me from my problems. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you! What are you doing here? Are you here to cheer someone on?” As he puts me down, his words bring me back to reality. “No, not really. There’s someone I know competing, but they weren’t expecting me.” I see from his expression that he doesn’t understand what I mean, but I have no intention of explaining it. “Well, but are you leaving already? Today’s competition isn’t over yet.” “Yes, I’m leaving. For me, it’s already over.” The sad tone in my voice doesn’t go unnoticed, and he decides not to press with questions. “That’s a shame, but give me your contact info. Are you still living in Oregon?” I nod. “Maybe we can grab lunch or dinner sometime. My brother also lives there, and I’m staying with him. His daughter is competing. Do you remember my brother, Dylan?” The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place it in my mind. “You always had a bad memory of faces and names,” he says with an amused smile. “I remember you used to ask me when you couldn’t remember someone.” I laughed quietly. That has always been my big problem. While my memory is excellent in other areas, I struggle to remember faces and names. I’ve always attributed it to my myopia, but I’ve never been sure. “Yes, you’re right,” I admit. “Alright, let’s stay in touch.” He hands me his phone, so I can jot down my number and sends me a message. “We’re all set up. Now I have to go back. Soon it’s my niece’s turn to compete.” I smiled at him, and he gave me a hug before saying goodbye. “It was great to see you. You were the best skating partner I could have had.” What he says is true. When we competed together, we were considered the perfect pair, but various circumstances led us to part ways. I watched him hurry away and let out a sigh. It’s amazing how the past comes back when you least expect it. Could it be some kind of sign? ***** When I reach the exit door, I take one of the parked taxis and return to the hotel. I need to schedule my return trip, but I don’t know what I’ll do when I get home. Well… to what used to be my home. Yes, I know I’m cowardly for not fighting for what, according to the law, belongs to me. But what’s the point? The truth is, the other woman hasn’t stolen anything from me. They immersed themselves completely in their happiness, without stopping to think for a moment about the pain they might cause me. When I arrive at the hotel, I check the airline flights. Fortunately, I found one that leaves in three hours, so I have time. I didn’t bring many things, so I quickly gathered my belongings and checked out of the room. I decided to wait at the airport. I returned the keys to the reception and took another taxi. The ride is short, and I haven’t had the opportunity to think about my next steps. I have a degree in Business Administration, but I only worked for a while at Ryan’s company, and it was more due to my parents’ insistence than my husband’s will. My father, seeing that I would marry so young, imposed the condition that I study and work. During that time, they also helped me with Candace’s care. Maybe that’s why Candace hates me. I sigh. I never imagined that my own daughter would be happy that her father had someone else. I’ve known cases of children who fiercely defend their mothers, but mine simply wants me out of her life. And I’m going to grant her that. I want her to be happy, and if my absence is what will make her feel that way, then I’ll do it out of love. Despite my separation from Ryan, Candace will always be my daughter. I just hope that, someday, she understands that everything I did was for the well-being of both her and Ryan. ***** “Excuse me… I think that’s my seat.” A deep voice draws me out of my thoughts. When I booked the flight, I made sure to choose a seat without companions. There were many available seats, but now, in front of me, someone was claiming their seat. Most likely, they bought their ticket at the last minute, as we were about to take off. I look up and find a man the age of my husband looking at me anxiously. “Mmmm… I’m sorry.” I’m about to get up, even though I was very comfortable in my window seat. However, as I stand up, the plane makes a sudden movement, and I stumble forward, barely catching myself in his arms. “I’m sorry.” I straighten up and step into the aisle to let him pass, but he doesn’t say anything. It’s strange. He settles into his seat, and although it sounds absurd, his face also seems familiar to me. I take the aisle seat, leaving the middle one free to avoid sitting next to anyone. I should have booked the window. I sigh and lean back, nursing my wounds. Although it could just be my imagination, I feel someone’s gaze on me. I open my eyes, but the man seems to be asleep, and on the other side of the aisle, a family chats animatedly. I’m exaggerating, I tell myself. Maybe I’m becoming paranoid. It’s time to analyze what I’ll do when I arrive. I don’t have a job, but I can start looking. I don’t have a house, but I can rent something small, and at least I have a savings account. The first thing I need to do is find a place to live and move my things. Ryan and Candace will take two more days to return, so I have enough time. I also need to contact the lawyer to start the divorce proceedings. Bff… too many things to do. Without realizing it, the insomnia from the previous night takes effect, and I fall asleep. As the plane took off, I thought about how strange it would be to start from scratch. A couple of tears slid down my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away. “No, Michelle. Stop crying. Save your tears for moments that are truly worthwhile. Crying over people who never loved you makes no sense. They don’t deserve it.” ***** Dylan I receive an emergency call and had to return to Oregon immediately. As soon as Susy’s performance ends, I approach her to say goodbye. Her sad face breaks my soul. “Don’t worry, Daddy. I’ll stay with Uncle Abdiel,” she assures me bravely. My brother, who was by her side, patted my arm with a slight smile. I knew I could count on him; he loved my daughter almost as much as I did. “I’ll try to make it back before the final tomorrow,” I promised her. “I promise you’ll win.” Susy hugs me tightly, and I give her a kiss on the cheek. “Take care of her,” I told Abdiel before leaving in a hurry. My assistant had already booked a flight. The plane took off in thirty minutes, which barely gave me time to gather my papers and board. I ran through the airport, passing through security with the staff’s help, and arrived just in time. As I board the plane, I notice the crew giving me disapproving looks. They were just waiting for me. I sighed and walked to my seat, feeling guilty of the delay. But when I get to my seat, I’m surprised to find a woman sitting there. As I approach, she quickly apologizes and moves to let me pass. But just at that moment, the plane shakes as it starts taxiing, and she falls into my arms. It was at that moment that I recognized her, and my heart skipped a beat. She looks more mature, a bit different, but still just as beautiful. I never imagined I’d see her again. Awkwardly, she straightens up and sits in the aisle seat. I can see the sadness in her eyes. Something was troubling her, but I couldn’t ask. After all, in the past, she was just my brother’s friend. I never dared to speak to her alone. I was several years older than her and, besides, she was always in love with that i***t, Ryan Allen. She married him, and I stopped thinking about what could have been. Then I met Cecilia. We were happy in our brief marriage, but deep down, I always wondered what would have happened if I had had the courage to ask her out. I steal a sideways glance at her. She didn’t seem to recognize me. Maybe I was someone invisible to her in the past. Still, her sadness affected me more than it should. I took a handkerchief from my pocket and offered it to her. “This might be useful.” She turns her face towards me and takes it with a slight smile. “Thank you… Excuse me… Do we know each other?” I could have lied. Said no. But my lips spoke before I could think of a response. “I’m Dylan Morrison… Abdiel’s brother.” Her face lights up with surprise. “What a coincidence! I just saw Abdiel a few hours ago. But… wasn’t your daughter going to compete?” I didn’t know she had met my brother. How curious fate is. “Yes, I saw her participate, but I had to attend to an emergency at the company.” She nods but doesn’t ask more. “My daughter also participated,” she says suddenly. I remain silent. At the competition, I thought I had seen Ryan in the distance, but I wasn’t sure. There was a woman with him, and they seemed quite close. “You didn’t stay?” I asked cautiously. She lowers her gaze. Her sadness is evident, and a couple of tears well up in her eyes. “No… they didn’t need me. They’d be better off without me. Her trembling voice leaves me without words. She takes a deep breath and raises her gaze. Then, in a faint voice, she says something I never expected to hear. “I’m going to get a divorce. I need to get home to sort out a lot of things. I also need a job and a place to live.” The surprise paralyzes me for a moment. Who in their right mind would let a woman like her go? “Maybe I can help you,” I say, without thinking twice. I take a card out of my wallet and hand it to her. “I can offer you a job. When you’re ready, you can reach out to me.” She takes the card and holds it between her fingers. Then, she looked up at me with a hint of hope in her eyes. “It seems fate brought you to me… Thank you very much, Dylan.” I nod with a slight smile. Yes… it seems that fate has started a new game. And this time, maybe I can win.