Vanessa was already measuring the bedroom wall in my guest house when she casually told me she’d be living there for a year, rent-free.

I had loved that dress when I bought it.

I still loved parts of it.

That hurt more than if I had suddenly hated everything associated with him.

Vanessa sent one final message.

She had found a room across town. It cost more than another room she had previously turned down, and Colin had helped with some moving expenses.

She said she hoped I understood how stressful everything had been for her.

I started typing a response explaining how stressful it had been for me.

Then I deleted it.

I’m glad you found a place. Any questions about Colin’s promises should go to Colin.

She never replied.

Life slowly became ordinary again.

One week, Ruth’s faucet started leaking.

Beth sent me a photograph.

I approved the plumber.

The bill was $210.

For the first time, I actually smiled while entering an expense into my rental spreadsheet.

This was what I had renovated the guest house for.