I was simply building a life that didn't revolve around a marriage anymore. About Four months after the divorce, Graham called me on a Thursday evening. I was leaving the office when I saw his name on my phone. I answered, "What's up? " "Nothing much. You busy? " "Just finished work. " There was a pause.
Then he said, "I saw Alice yesterday. " I stopped beside my car. Okay, she doesn't look good. I opened the driver's door. What do you mean? She looks exhausted, that's all.
Then I hope she's okay. Graham sighed. You really don't want to hear this, do you? Not unless there's a reason I need to. Fair enough.
We talked about other things for a few minutes before hanging up. I didn't think about Alice again that night. A few weeks later, I ran into another mutual friend, Sarah, at a restaurant. We hadn't seen each other since the divorce. After we talked about work and travel, she asked me how I was doing.
I'm good. She smiled. You actually are. I am. Then she hesitated.
Have you heard from Alice? No. She's having a rough time. I took a drink of water. What happened?
Sarah lowered her voice. Thomas isn't exactly who she thought he was. I waited. Apparently, he's been disappearing for nights at a time. He says it's work, but she doesn't believe him.
That's unfortunate. Sarah looked at me. That's it. What do you want me to say? I don't know.
I thought you'd feel something. I do? What? I feel sorry that she's having a hard time. Sarah studied my face.
You don't want her back? No. She nodded slowly. Even if she wanted to come back? I answered without hesitation.
"That's not happening. " Sarah didn't argue. Instead, she changed the subject. I was grateful. A few weeks passed. Then Graham called again.
This time he sounded almost amused. You remember when you said you didn't want updates? Yes. I'm probably about to annoy you. Then don't.
They broke up. I sat back in my office chair. Who? Alice and Thomas. I was quiet.
How long ago? About two weeks. I looked at the calendar on my desk. It had been almost 7 months since the divorce. Did she say why?
Graham hesitated. She didn't give me all the details. That's fine. I don't need them. I know.
I'm just telling you because I thought you should know. Why? Because apparently she mentioned you. That caught my attention. What did she say?
She said she didn't understand how you could move on so quickly. I leaned back. I didn't move on quickly. What do you mean? I moved forward.