“Power imbalance? What does that matter?”
“Before you came in here, who did you talk things over with? Who was your go-to person?”
“No one. I mean, it used to be Dylan until he broke things off with me.”
“And who paid all the bills—rent, food, electricity, etc?”
“Well, Dylan did but—”
“And who got you your job?”
“Dylan.”
“And whose family and friends did you hang out with?”
“Dylan,” I whispered.
Anne paused and blinked a few times. “Don’t you see? He held all the power in your relationship. A less scrupulous guy would’ve taken advantage, maybe even narrowed your world further—talked you into quitting your job so you were absolutely trapped with no way out. But not Dylan. He wanted you to expand your world. Have experiences. It’s pretty noble when you think about it. He set you free because he loves you. Just like in that poem.”
I rolled my eyes. “He did it literally a minute after we found out about our fathers’ fight.”
“Sure, the timing wasn’t ideal. But really, what difference would an hour or a day have made? Your dad is healing. His dad is getting more charges, the asshole. And you two are still apart. I guess the real question is what are you doing to make a difference? Are you getting out there? Meeting people? Getting your life back on track?”
I dropped my head as each question made me feel lower.
“Are you doing everything you should to make this sacrifice worthwhile?”
“No,” I whispered. “I’ve been too caught up in grief.”
“And that’s okay too. You’ve gone through so many changes in the past couple of years. But there comes a point in time where it’s not healthy anymore. When you need to reach out like you did tonight. And you need to keep reaching out. You need to keep living. Life doesn’t end just because of a paradigm shift. I felt the same way after my divorce. But eventually you do have to move on. I had my kids to goose me into action. Fortunately, you have me.”
I grinned at her subtle boast. “I’m glad I have you, Anne. Thanks.”
“Any time, kiddo. And I mean it about calling me every day. I want to know what you’re up to and how you’re getting out there, okay?”
“Okay.” She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight again. Then sat back after one more pat to my shoulder. “Now, let’s get some food into you so we can come up with a plan. Stuffed French toast?”
I nodded. “And a side of crispy bacon.”
“Coming right up.” She grinned at me before sliding out of the booth and heading for the computer console.
And for the first time in a long time, everything felt…normal. Hopeful, even.
* * *
Things didn’t change overnight, but Anne was right. It helped to get out there and expand my world past Dylan and his family.
I started volunteering at a women’s empowerment center, working once a week as a receptionist, answering the phone and welcoming visitors. It was the kind of place I wished I’d known about when I got evicted. Their mission statement was to educate women who are homeless and empower them with the skills and confidence necessary to get a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children.
Helping other people helped me align my thinking about my own situation. Because, really, I didn’t have it all that bad. I had an apartment. A car. A job. And people in my life who cared about me.
But maybe there was something about Wendy and Dylan’s belief of a power imbalance. I needed to be able to stand on my own two feet and experience life.
I’d called my advisor and sorted out all my paperwork for the next semester. And while I was on campus, I ran into a few friends from the previous year. We exchanged numbers and met up a few times for coffee and to talk.
And I’d gone back to the girls’ book club. Sure, they were part of Dylan’s realm, but they were in my corner too. The number of calls and texts I’d received from them since the split was proof of that.
And Anne agreed they could count toward my friend tally.
