Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO STOPPED WAITING
Olivia moved into a new apartment the following spring.
It overlooked a small park.
There was room for her books.
A proper dining table.
And a wide windowsill for her fern.
She bought a new car.
Nothing extravagant.
A reliable blue sedan.
The first time she drove it along Lake Shore Drive, she laughed.
Not because the car was special.
Because it was hers.
She also began taking weekends seriously.
She visited museums.
Took cooking classes.
And traveled to Wisconsin to see her mother.
One Saturday, she met Daniel for coffee.
They talked easily.
The old affection was still there.
But they both understood that time had changed them.
Daniel had begun dating someone.
A fellow teacher.
Olivia was genuinely happy for him.
As they parted, he hugged her.
"You look good, Liv."
She smiled.
"I feel good."
He nodded.
"That's what matters."
That evening, Olivia returned home and found a package waiting.
Inside was a small potted fern.
And a note.
I saw this and thought of you.
No expectations.
Ethan.
Olivia stared at it.
Then laughed softly.
Of all the things he could have sent.
A fern.
She placed it beside the original plant.
Then took a photograph.
She sent it to him.
Now there are two hostile takeovers on the windowsill.
His reply came a minute later.
I deserve that.
She smiled.
For the first time, thinking about Ethan didn't hurt.
But she wasn't ready to return to the past.
And she wasn't sure she ever would be.
May you like
That was okay.
She had stopped waiting.
