That I had accepted the job and intended to leave without looking back.
That our relationship had meant less to me than my future.
I stared at the page.
“I never wrote this.”
“I know.”
“Then who did?”
Anna looked at me.
“Carol.”
I couldn’t speak.
For almost forty years, I had believed that Anna had abandoned me because she didn’t want to follow me.
And she had believed that I had abandoned her because I cared more about my career.
Neither of us had known the truth.
Carol had stood between us.
But why?
I looked at Anna.
“Why would she do something like that?”
Anna shook her head.
“Because she loved you.”
I almost laughed.
It wasn’t funny.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“It didn’t make sense to me either.”
Anna sat back.
“Carol was in love with you before you ever realized it.”
I remembered those years.
Carol had been around our college circle.
She had always been kind to me.
Friendly.
Quiet.
I had never thought of her romantically.
At least not then.
Anna continued.
“She knew you were going to marry me. Everyone knew.”
I nodded slowly.
“Then you got that job offer.”
“Yes.”
“Carol thought it was her only chance.”
