In A Holidaze

But this time, I’m not going anywhere. “Your time-traveling girlfriend.”

Andrew’s smile lights up the inside of the closet. “Finally, Maisie. I thought you’d never ask.”

“My time-traveling what?”

Okay, well, you’re going to learn how to manage conflict because smart people like us in relationships don’t agree with each other all the time. It’s science.”

Can I say it now?” he asks, pulling back a few inches.

“Say what?”

“That I love you?”

“I told you to go upstairs!” Zachary shouts before it sounds like someone claps a hand over his mouth and carries him out of yelling range.

This way, it’s only a sketch, just a possibility. Even if it never turns into more, you are the only one who makes me that happy, and I am so grateful for it.”

When I thought it didn’t matter and no one would remember, I finally started living authentically. I quit my job. I was honest about my feelings. I went after what I wanted without fear.

Just thinking,” I whisper back. “I want you to be proud of me. I want to be proud of myself.”

Mom only asks that we come and listen respectfully, and that we work to be good and kind, and live generous lives.

I realize everyone around you being messy might make you feel like you can’t ever be, but that isn’t true. It’s okay to be messy sometimes, honey.”