Divorce Anxiety

Samuel knew how painful it was to miss somebody.

It turns out that even thinking of someone hurts all over.

His stomach twisted. It was the kind of pain that would spread to every limb before having them smashed by boulders.

Despite the pain, he found that he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Kathleen fell silent.

Samuel’s gaze deepened. “Say something.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” she bluntly said as she lay down. “I’m going to take a nap. Please carry on with your work.”

Samuel studied Kathleen thoughtfully, trying to decide if she would be heartbroken or disgusted if he told her he had missed her.

Judging by her expression, probably the latter.

Meanwhile, Kathleen felt awful.

Samuel hasn’t changed. Why would he tell me this after a year? Does he think that I’m foolish enough to change my mind just because he said that? I’m no longer that girl who loved him wholeheartedly in the stupidity of my youth. Not anymore. Why didn’t he treasure me when I did? Leaving him was the right choice.

Samuel looked sideways at Kathleen, who had her back to him. She seemed to be asleep.

He didn’t bother her further. Instead, he turned off the light.

The night suddenly became unbearably long.

Kathleen woke up the following day in a daze.

“Good morning, Katie,” said Diana with a kind voice.

Kathleen was surprised. “Old Mrs. Macari?”

Diana sat on the chair between the two beds as she reached out to stroke Kathleen’s head. “Are you feeling better?”

“I am,” Kathleen murmured demurely, like a small furry animal being caressed.

something delicious.” Diana turned to Maria.

Maria brought a

Kathleen was taken aback.

to whip up some mushroom

Macari, you really didn’t have to

really loves me. I can feel

on weekdays, anyway. I’m happy to cook you something nice. Now, be a good girl and have

before picking

her eyes were reduced

long as you

smile with an embarrassed grin of her

saw Samuel looking at her and pursed her lips at

her attention. “Samuel had

Kathleen looked over.

really did,” Samuel affirmed

word, Kathleen turned her attention back to

gazed at her grandson. “I did some digging of my own. What happened with the

Samuel was struck dumb.

not as dirty as

that Diana didn’t

a ward is being vacated this afternoon,” Diana announced. “I have already arranged

and didn’t voice his

at Diana thoughtfully before

she stroked Kathleen’s hair. “I’d said before that I’ll treat you like my

Diana didn’t intend to bring them back

on the other hand, remained

door was vacated, and

Diana turned to look at Samuel. “Katie

deign to answer

already missed your chance with Katie,” Diana lamented. “It’s not going to work with her no matter how hard you force things. The sacrifice

do care for her, Grandma,”

Samuel like that

soon as Samuel was old enough, she addressed him by his