I looked at him for a long time.
For the first time, I understood that loving someone did not mean trying to claim them.
Sometimes it meant giving them the freedom to choose.
“I won’t ask you to leave her,” I said.
“I know.”
He gathered the empty coffee cups.
“But I won’t let her destroy you, either.”
He left shortly afterward.
I watched him walk home, and for the first time, I wondered whether the distance I had created between us was protecting anyone at all.
The next morning, my principal called again.
This time, she sounded more concerned.
“Willa, the district has received another document relating to the fundraiser.”
My stomach dropped.
“What document?”
“An invoice from Penn Ridge Building Supply. It appears to show a payment made for the materials in the photograph.”
“That invoice is false.”
“I understand that you dispute it. The district will need to verify the original records.”
