“We both are.”

I had not decided to stay forever.

But I had decided I would not stay from fear, financial habit, or a sense of obligation.

If we continued, it would be because we were creating something worth choosing freely.

PART 18: The Anniversary We Did Not Celebrate

Our tenth wedding anniversary arrived in June.

Before Marian’s illness, Lucas would have planned an expensive dinner and expected the evening to serve as proof that all was well.

That year he asked what I wanted instead.