The Moretti Woman Who Stopped Waiting

The apartment was silent.

I had bought it five years ago.The deed was in my name,but Adrian and I had chosen almost everything together.Back then,he was just a supervisor,not a regional manager,and he stubbornly insisted on paying for half the furniture."This is our home,"he had said."It cannot all come from you."

I had loved him so much for that.

Now I understood that many of the things he gave me were not expensive.They were just enough to keep me trapped.

I stopped at the empty room we had once called the nursery.Adrian had laughed that I was thinking too far ahead,but he still helped me pick the cream paint and assemble the little wooden rocking horse.Now there was no child,only dust and boxes.

Inside the bottom box were old cards,photos from Coney Island,a graduation boutonniere,and a cheap silver ring.Years ago,under a streetlamp in Queens,Adrian had slipped it onto my finger and said,"When I can afford it,I will buy you a real one.Wait for me."

So I waited.I waited through my father's anger,through the family lawyers'marriage proposals,through every promotion Adrian earned while still saying it was not the right time.

The front door opened.Adrian came in quietly,carrying cold night air and the faint gardenia scent of Claire's perfume.He stopped at the nursery door.

"Still awake?"

"Yes."

"Feeling nostalgic?"

I closed the ring box."Did you get her home?"

"Yes.She lives far out.It really is hard to get a car at night."

"I see."

He came closer and reached to help me up.I stood by myself,my legs numb from crouching.When I swayed,he reached again,and I stepped away.

The air went still.

"Adrian,"I said.

"Yeah?"

"We should break up."

He stared for two seconds,then gave a tired laugh."Still mad about the bouquet?Elena,do not be petty.You know who is in my heart.Claire and I grew up together.She is family.If you keep treating an old friend like an enemy,you are only hurting yourself.Wash up and sleep.I have an early meeting.We can talk after you calm down."

I watched his back."Next Saturday,I am getting married."

His hand stopped on the doorknob."What did you say?"

"The hotel is booked,the dress is chosen,and the guest list is done."

He looked at me as if I had lost my mind."Marriage is not a toy you use to provoke me.Did Sophia say something?Or did your father finally find some family prince to make me bow?"

I did not explain,because half of it was true.My father had given me one final deadline:Sophia's wedding day.If Adrian gave me a clear promise,the Morettis would wait.Instead,he handed the bouquet to Claire.

"Adrian,"I said,"I want a home."

He frowned."Do we not have one?"

I looked at the empty nursery."I want a home where I do not come after everyone else.A home not held together by next time,later,and wait a little longer."

His expression hardened."Are you that desperate to get married?"

"Yes.I want to marry a man who chooses me."