Chương 9 - THE FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A HUSBAND
December returned.
I expected to hate it.
Instead, I was busy.
Hotel project opened December fifteenth.
Leah sent champagne.
Margaret sent a text:
DO NOT DRINK ALL OF IT. YOU HAVE A CHILD.
I replied:
I am thirty-four.
She answered:
AND YET.
Noelle was nearly one.
Walking badly.
Falling enthusiastically.
Obsessed with the lights on the Christmas tree.
Roman and I agreed Christmas Eve with me.
Christmas morning with him.
No lawyers needed.
Growth.
At six on Christmas Eve, Roman arrived early.
He carried presents.
Too many.
I stared.
“No.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“That is not a normal amount.”
“I have one child.”
“You bought half of Michigan Avenue.”
“Noelle likes books.”
“There are twelve books.”
“She needs options.”
I laughed.
Roman smiled.
It no longer hurt every time.
That surprised me.
He stayed twenty minutes.
No dinner invitation.
No boundary test.
At the door, he handed me one small box.
I stared.
“I said—”
“Not jewelry.”
Suspicious.
I opened it.
A framed photograph.
Me holding Noelle after the hotel opening.
Someone from my team must have taken it.
I was laughing.
Hair messy.
Noelle reaching for my necklace.
“You look happy,” Roman said.
“You said that before.”
“I know.”
Then:
“I wanted you to see it.”
My throat tightened.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
“Merry Christmas, Savannah.”
“Merry Christmas, Roman.”
He left.
No attempt to stay.
No asking whether I missed him.
No dramatic snow confession.
Just respect.
I stood at the door until his car disappeared.
Then closed it.
May you like
Not angrily.
Simply because it was cold.
