Chapter 8
The next morning, Mom, my two best friends and I catch the earliest flight
or the entire time.[]
Mason follows us all the way to the airport. We don’t say a single word to each other the
Right before boarding. I tell him: “Contact me when you get back to the city. We need to file for divorce.”
The word “divorce hits him like a punch to the gut. His face crumbles.
“Lily…”
He tries to say something else, but I’m done listening.
Back home, I finally breathe easy for the first time in days.
Actually, things aren’t as bad as they could be. At least I came to my senses before it was too late.[]
Mom can tell I’m hurting, so that night she cooks this huge feast. My girls come over too.
The four of us crack open some beers. Once I get a little buzzed, I finally open up and tell them everything I’ve been holding inside.
All the hurt and disappointment just comes pouring out,
We were together for five whole years–of course it hurts to walk away. It hurts like hell.
But I had to do it. Better to rip the band–aid off now than suffer for years.]
Mom holds me tight and says, “My Lily never gives me any trouble. She always knows how to make the right choice.”
“But what if this is the wrong choice? What if I’m making a huge mistake?“]]
Mom strokes my hair like she did when I was little. “Following your heart is always the right choice.”
Her words give me the peace I needed.
Three days later, Mason’s back in town. He’s still trying to win me back, and this time he brings his parents with him.[]
The old couple has none of their wedding day arrogance. When they see me, they’re hunched over like guilty children.[]
“Lily… we came to apologize. What happened at the wedding was our fault.“]
“You two are already legally married–how can you just throw that away?”
“Every family has problems, every couple fights. You compromise a little, he compromises a little, and you work it out.“[]
“Mason already talked to us. We promise we’ll never interfere in your marriage again. If you want, we can have another wedding–a beautiful one this time. Nothing like before.“[
Mason’s mother raises her hand like she’s swearing an oath. “Just… give Mason one more chance.”
I shake my head. “Some chances only come once. You don’t need to keep trying to convince me. I know you never liked me anyway–Mason forced you to come apologize, didn’t he?“]
“You really don’t need to do this. I don’t want your apology, and I’m not changing my mind.”
I look directly at Mason. “Let’s go. Time to go to city hall.” 1
Mason breaks down crying again. Even though he’s completely unwilling, we go to the courthouse and file the paperwork.[]
A month later, after the cooling waiting period, our marriage is officially dissolved.]
It’s a beautiful sunny day. I feel this incredible sense of clarity.[]
Watching Mason sob his heart out, all I feel is calm.]
The weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m ready to start over.
Om
