Chapter 23 - Daniel and I try again
Daniel and I went on our second first date twenty-one months after the shower.
That phrase made us laugh.
Coffee.
No candlelight.
No emotional reconstruction.
We already had enough.
I said:
“This does not mean remarriage.”
“I know.”
“It doesn’t mean we pretend the divorce was a mistake somebody else caused.”
“I know.”
“Karen lied. You still chose.”
“I know.”
“Olivia lied.”
“I know.”
“I was awful sometimes too.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t need to balance the ledger.”
Annoyingly mature.
I smiled.
We dated slowly.
Separate homes.
Separate finances.
Individual therapy.
Couples therapy before calling ourselves a couple again.
At six months, we took a weekend trip.
At nine months, he left a toothbrush.
I made him take it home.
“Why?”
“Symbolism.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Yes.”
At twelve months, he got a drawer.
Relationship advancement.
No pregnancy attempt.
Not yet.
People assumed healing meant trying again for a baby.
We refused that timeline.
May you like
June did not need replacement.
Our marriage did not need proof.
