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“You’ve seen him,” I say “He’ll find somebody He’ll be happy”

“And what about you?” she asks, her voice loud and echoing in the room “Doesn’t that matter?”

I shake my head It’s better this way I’ll survive

Elle puts her bowl of ice cream on the table and looks unhappy I’ve never seen her put down ice cream before “Anyway,” she says, “as it thataround the store for a ithout saying anything, so why now?”

“Marcy had the baby My o to the hospital to see the baby And I don’t knohat to do”

She laughs “And ask s at the store”

“No,” I say “I ht see hi Tellso that I don’t collapse into a puddle of tears”

“You know I’ to do that,” she says

I laugh “Yeah, I know that now”

Elle snatches the bowl of ice creareed with you, Katti This sucks It’s okay to be in pain You don’t have to be strong when you see the man you love, even if you made the choice to break your heart yourself”

“I don’t love him” The words co myself that for the last week I don’t love him I don’t

I don’t

I don’t

I do not

Elle snorts “Keep telling yourself that”

“I will”

She sighs “Of course I can take care of things at the store You know I’ve got you”

“I need to give you a raise”