The question she had been holding back.
Cole looked through the window at people crossing the street. A father walked past with a little girl sitting on his shoulders. An elderly couple shared an umbrella despite the fact that the rain had nearly stopped.
Life continued in small, ordinary moments.
For years, Cole had thought the end of his marriage would leave him permanently incomplete.
Instead, he had discovered that he could be lonely without being lost. He could regret the past without needing to return to it.
“I don’t think we should try again,” he said.
Claire closed her eyes briefly.
Then she nodded.
“I understand.”
“I don’t say that because I hate you. I don’t.”
“Then why?”
“Because I need to find out who I am when I’m not trying to become the man you want me to be. And you need to find out who you are without measuring your happiness against someone else’s life.”
