I picked up my coat.
“I haven’t decided what I’m doing with my marriage.”
She looked relieved.
“But I have decided what I’m doing with my life.”
I opened the door.
“I am going to work Monday.”
Margaret said nothing.
“I am keeping my promotion.”
She looked down.
“And I am never again going to apologize for being financially independent.”
Then I stepped outside.
The cold Seattle air hit my face.
I stood on the porch for a moment.
My scalp was still tender from what Margaret had done.
I touched it gently.
A week earlier, I would have hidden under a hat.
That night, I didn’t.
I walked to my car with my head uncovered.
For the first time since the nightmare began…
I wasn’t embarrassed.
I was angry.
But underneath the anger was something stronger.
Clarity.
I drove to the hotel.
Once inside my room, I opened my laptop again.
