My Husband Left Me at 54

I cried on a stranger’s curb.

Then I walked back home.

The following morning, I walked five blocks, and the one after, six!

Monica didn’t push.

By the second month, I’d joined a small gym.

The woman at the front desk didn’t ask why I was starting at an older age.

She just handed me a towel and pointed to the treadmills.

I swapped leftover coffee for water and started cooking healthier meals, like salmon, salads, and eggs with peppers, instead of eating dry toast over the sink.

I got a haircut that I chose myself.

Shoulder-length, with a little sweep across the forehead.

When the stylist turned the chair around, I almost didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror, but this time, it was for the right reason!

She just handed me a towel.

Howard started texting around month four.

« Hope you’re doing okay. Saw your car at the dentist’s office. »

I didn’t answer.

Then one night, a longer message came through.

« I just wanted to say I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me. »

I read it twice.

Then I deleted it, considered blocking him, and went to bed.

I didn’t answer.

Steve called me on a Sunday.

« Mom, I’ve been thinking. Have you considered talking to Dad? Just talking. For the family. »

I held the phone tightly to my ear.

« Steve, honey. Do you know what your father said to me the day he left? »

« Mom, people say all sorts of things in the heat of the moment. »

« Well, there was no ‘heat’ when he said what he did. And I’m done with him. »

There was a long pause.