Relief

Lily

‘Ron…fired.’

The words reverberated in my mind as I processed it all.

“He’s gone?” I barely heard my voice waver admit the maelstrom of emotions weighing down on me.

“Yeah.” She sighed out, “It happened out of nowhere, I overheard some of his coworkers talking about it. It happened so suddenly about a week ago. They said he looked pretty banged up at that.”

Something in me loosened, lightened.

‘Gone. He was gone.’

Lisa noticed, eyeing me carefully.

“Are you okay? Did something happen between you and him?” She asked.

I nodded. Something did happen after all, but not in the way she thought.

My most recent dream came to mind at the moment. His words like vitriol, spitting in the trust and friendship I had built with him after all these months.

“These aren't sad tears, I assure you.” A wet laugh left my lips. Even though the weight of my sobs held my lungs captive, another feeling swirled.

‘Relief.’

I didn't have to fear meeting him again. I didn't have to think about crossing paths