“You don’t have to decide anything today.”
Michael didn’t pressure me. I changed the locks back. You have both new keys. I also closed the Northshore inquiry and changed every password. I’m sorry. I booked an appointment with a therapist. Just for me. Thursday at 4. No need to answer. I found the anniversary restaurant receipt in my desk. I kept it because I was angry. I realize now I never actually told you how hurt I was. I’m trying to understand why I expected you to know. Thursday afternoon, he texted after therapy.
It meant he began to understand that change wasn’t performance. Saturday, I went back to the condo while Michael was at the gym. My key worked. The condo smelled like coffee and cedar. The lock looked ordinary again. Northshore file closed. A password-change log. A list of all accounts Linda had ever had access to. Then, underneath those documents, a handwritten letter from Michael. I kept trying to write an apology that would make you understand me.
