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***
When I returned home that evening, I acted calm. I cooked dinner and smiled.
During the day, I’d planned every detail. I replayed conversations, rehearsed tones, and reminded myself of one thing over and over.
If I did nothing, that would never end. I couldn’t afford fear anymore.
My in-laws, Richard and Elaine, arrived right on time.
Elaine hugged me tightly, her perfume familiar and comforting.
I couldn’t afford fear anymore.
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“You look tired,” she said softly. “Are you all right?”
“I will be,” I said, and I meant it more than she realized.
Dinner started politely. There was small talk about the weather. Richard asked Norman about work, and the latter complained about a shipment delay as if it were the worst injustice in the world.
Halfway through the meal, I set my fork down. “I wanted to tell you both something in person. I was offered a senior position running a clinic.”
Elaine’s eyes lit up. “Teresa, that’s wonderful!”
Halfway through the meal, I set my fork down.
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Norman cleared his throat loudly.
“It didn’t work out,” I added, lowering my gaze. “The offer fell through.”
Elaine frowned. “What happened?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Norman didn’t think it was a good fit, anyway.”
Norman shot me a warning look. “That’s not what I said.”
I tilted my head. “You didn’t think it was right for me.”
“The offer fell through.”
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Richard leaned back in his chair. “What kind of clinic was it?”
Norman answered too fast, giving the clinic’s name. “They wanted her to oversee staffing and budgeting too, which she’s never done.”
Richard blinked. “You didn’t mention that part earlier.”
My heart pounded. “I never told you those details, honey.”
The room went quiet.
Elaine looked between us. “Strange. Norman, dear, how did you know that?”
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