They were allowed to have their own feelings about what had happened.
At the café, Tyler looked older than he had a few months earlier.
He stirred his coffee without drinking it.
“Rachel and I aren’t together anymore,” he said.
I nodded.
“I’m sorry the situation has become difficult.”
He looked at me.
“That’s all you have to say?”
“What would you like me to say?”
He seemed unable to answer.
After a moment, he sighed.
“I thought I would be happier.”
I studied him.
“Did you?”
He looked down.
“I thought leaving the marriage would solve everything I was unhappy about.”
“And did it?”
“No.”
I waited.
He continued.
“I think I blamed you for things I didn’t know how to deal with in myself. I was frustrated with work. I felt as though the best years of my life were passing me by. Rachel made me feel exciting again.”
