The Marriage License For Me, The Boat For His Regret Chapter 10
Nolan had no strength left. He just watched her walk into the building, carrying that thermos.
He remembered how things used to be.
He’d skip breakfast all the time. His stomach was always hurting.
Tessa would make him soup. Different kinds every time. He’d come home from work and there it would be on the table, always something new.
“Nolan, try this. I promise it’ll warm you right up.”
But now the soup was still being made. Just not for him anymore.
He covered his face with both hands and sobbed.
…
The next time he saw Tessa was five years later.
Nolan’s cousin dragged him out to the mall—his mom’s idea.
He saw twin girls there, sneaking bites of an ice cream cone.
“Hurry, Mom’s gonna see!”
“My turn! My turn!”
Nolan stared. They looked so much like Tessa it hurt.
Then a man next to him spoke. “Mr. Hayes. Fancy seeing you here.”
He looked up. Reid.
The world tilted.
A second later, Tessa rushed over. “Reid, did you buy them ice cream again?”
She noticed someone else standing there and immediately straightened up.
“Reid? Who’s this?”
Nolan’s whole body jerked. His shoulders rounded.
Reid smiled slightly. “An old business contact.”
The family of four walked away.
Nolan listened to Tessa scolding the three of them—Reid and both girls—their heads hanging low.
He cried.
His cousin came back with an armful of snacks. “Nolan, you have to eat all of these today. Look how skinny you’ve gotten.”
She looked at his face, confused. “Nolan? Who did you see? What’s wrong?”
Nolan answered quietly.
“I lost the one person who was never coming back.”