“That proved you weren’t going to respect my answer.”
“I made one mistake.”
“Which one?”
He couldn’t answer.
Because there had been several.
I took off my engagement ring.
It caught against my knuckle, and I had to twist it free.
Then I placed it in his hand.
“I don’t want to marry you.”
“You’re choosing a tenant over us.”
“Ruth didn’t do this.”
Before September, we exchanged our remaining belongings.
Colin returned my spare key.
On September first, Ruth arrived before the moving truck.
Beth completed the inspection with us.
We checked windows, faucets and cabinets.
Then Ruth called the movers.
While they carried furniture inside, my phone buzzed.
Colin.
Is there still time for you to change your mind?
I silenced it.
Beth handed Ruth the keys.
Ruth attached them to her own key ring.
That simple motion gave me an unexpected sense of relief.
