Chapter Text
She clears her throat.
She's breaking up with me. I can feel it
“Matt…” Her voice cracks
“It's ok”
She sniffles
“No.”
“I want to do this… it'll help me move on”
The truth is, our relationship has been on the decline for months. I got a promotion which meant more burdening hours and less time home. Her job wasn't moving in any direction or pace so she's been stuck in the same routine for weeks
“I got a job… offer”
“Really” I sit up. I am genuinely happy for her. Her job currently is not doing her any good mentally
“It's um…” She sits up too, wiping strands of hair from her face. “It's in New York…”
“New York…”
She inhales sharply and nods, “Yes”
"I love you forever and ever, but…! But this is good for me… and- and I really want to take it”
I nod, “You should.”
“Really?” She looks relieved
“I'm!”
“I'm sorry, I'm really sorry to do this to you… but you got a promotion at work, and I'm stuck here all day- I just…!”
“You should go to New York”
She breathes.
She's been raving about New York for years
Our lives are just going in different directions
I'm a first-rate journalist and she's in project management at her current position, with this New York branch, she'll be promoted to Supervisor.
“This is good, Joanne”
She nods. She takes my hands into hers, “I'm really so happy for you and your promotion.”
“You’ve been talking about New York since you got into management, you should take it”
“We’ve been together since we were kids… I need…” She inhales
“Some new experiences”
“Oh god” She holds her head, “That sounds horrible!...” She looks away
We were each other's firsts.
“I feel horrible even thinking about it”
“Joanne.”
“It's natural”
“You know I will always love you, Matt” She looks me in the eye
“New York is full of opportunities…- and… you might find someone who shows you everything I couldn't”
“I wouldn't say that…” I mumble
“I don't think I could do long distance anyway”
“You have a very special place in my heart”
“Please promise to keep in touch, update me if you do find a girl”
“You too.”
“When do you fly out?”
“This week”
“Saturday”
It's Wednesday
“I've already started packing”
She looks at me, I see tears start to form
I stand up and hold my arms out. She stands up immediately and hugs me.
I can't lie, a few tears pricked my eyelids too
I had this one coming, it's my fault entirely, I haven't been as affectionate lately as I wanted to be.
I was the catalyst in this breakup. I take full responsibility