Chapter 5 pt.1 (Draft)

SILENT NIGHTS

By January, she was excited the prospect of getting a position over there. Around the same time my friend's wife, Helen, was thinking about pursuing a PhD. So, just like I had told Helen to "go for it" if she really wanted to, life is too short, etc. Seemed like the supportive thing to say. This time that message was delivered via text. It doesn't take too much thinking to read into the fact that I was not suggesting I was considering going with her. The thought of pursuing this move signaled the beginning of the end of our relationship.

"Well that makes it clearer. Thanks for helping me decide." she texted back.

The affair, that is how I thought of it at the time and shortly after, had been brief but intense. Like most of my romantic experiences this was quick and painful. February and March are dreary anyway. I often forget how dark a period that was for me. Obviously, to start, no more bass lessons. My interest in the instrument faded quickly. The world is such a crazy place! How had that happened? So much can come from a simple decision or even a gesture. Even one that started on Christmas Day decades ago.

The rest of her text was terse: "Thx again 4 Xmas!!!" And, I guessed, that was that. 

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