27 Calls 2 Wristbands 1 Empty Anniversary Chapter 08
Moving day, I threw a housewarming party. Lauren, Courtney, a few close friends. A celebration of the new start.
No one asked about the divorce. We just talked about old times. The apartment buzzed with laughter.
At some point, I checked my messages. Julian had sent over a dozen.
“Where are you? Why aren’t you back yet?”
“Half the stuff in the house is gone. The wedding photos too.”
“Your clothes. Your bags. They’re gone. You moved out?”
“You’re really going through with this?”
“Me and Maddie—there’s nothing there. She was in danger last night. I had to go. Why can’t you understand that?”
“Answer me. Why aren’t you replying?”
***
I scrolled through them. A smile crept onto my face. Unbidden.
The night Maddie came home, Julian and his friends threw her a welcome-back party. He didn’t come home all night.
I sent message after message. He didn’t answer a single one.
I curled up on the sofa. Waited until dawn.
He stumbled in the next morning reeking of alcohol.
When I confronted him, all he said was “Didn’t see them.”
Now it was his turn.
Reading his barrage of demands, I finally understood the annoyance he must’ve felt that night.
I only replied to the one about the divorce.
“Yeah. Sign soon.”
The second I hit send, my phone rang. Julian.
I didn’t pick up. Switched it to silent. Tossed it aside. Went back to my friends.
I didn’t push him the next few days. Let him think it through.
I even flew back to Ohio. Told my parents.
Dad didn’t say much. Just sighed.
Mom held me. Tight.
“Your father and I always thought Julian was cold. We knew you’d get hurt married to him. If leaving makes you happy, then that’s all that matters.”
My nose stung. Tears came. I buried my face in my mom’s shoulder and finally let go.
Every bit of hurt. Every disappointment. I cried it all out.
Julian would never get to me again.