I took a generous gulp of my drink.

"Ernest's already left.

",

"Huh?

" Fanny was sitting cross-legged across from me, curiosity all over her face.,

"I turned him down, and he left. Off to work, he said, just like that,

" my words left Fanny momentarily stunned.,

"He left? Didn't even try a bit harder?

" Fanny shook her head.

"Man, his game is weak.

",

"He knew when to back off, not the clingy type,

" I couldn't help but think of Ernest's rough and rugged demeanor as I spoke of him., Fanny tilted her head, looking at me.

"If he had pursued you a bit, would you have...

",

"No!

" I cut her off,

"I wouldn't heal wounds from one man with another.

",

"Guess no one can easily replace Conrad,

" Fanny concluded., I smiled faintly.

"Conrad agreed to break up.

", Fanny froze, and I set down my glass, saying,

"I stopped by to shower and change before I go clear things up with Herschel and Jacqueline at the Wagner place about Conrad and me. It's totally over.

", I lowered my head as I said that. It wasn't about not letting go or feeling relieved. The emotions were complex and difficult to articulate., It had been ten years. I was giving up my love for Conrad, ten years of my youth, and all the beautiful expectations and aspirations for love., Fanny seemed to sense my mood, stretching her long legs to hook mine.

"Let it go. The old must make way for the new.

",

"Heh,

" I chuckled,

"Yeah, out with the old, in with the new.

", As I said that, I stood up.

"I'm going to take a quick shower.

", I turned on the shower in the bathroom, letting the water cascade down as I closed my eyes. The water flowed over my hair, forehead, and the corners of my eyes., When I arrived at the Wagner family, lunchtime had just passed, and Jacqueline was fussing with her flower arrangements., Seeing me, she immediately dropped her gardening shears.

"Felicia, you're back. Thank goodness, I've missed you so much, you little devil. Going off the grid like that, and you had me worried sick.

" Jacqueline grabbed my hand, looking both frustrated and happy.,

"I'm sorry, Jacqueline, for worrying you. I heard you were ill,

" I apologized first.,

"It's okay. It was no big deal. It wasn't your fault,

" Jacqueline pulled me to sit on the couch, urging me to eat some fruit from the table., I picked up a grape and popped it into my mouth.

"Jacqueline, are you feeling better now?

",

"All better. Now that I've seen you, everything's fine,

" Jacqueline kept hold of my hand, her face all smiles, making it difficult for me to bring up the tough conversation., But I knew I had to do it sooner or later, so I asked,

"Where's Herschel? Not home?

",

"He's in his study,

" Jacqueline said as she called out,

"Herschel, come out. Felicia's back.

", Jacqueline's words put more pressure on me with each utterance, and I could tell she knew why I was there, hence her approach., Herschel came out of his study with reading glasses on. Seeing me, he began,

"Have you eaten? If not, let's get you something. We always have your meal ready.

", Before I left, Herschel and Jacqueline had taken me as their daughter-in-law, knowing now that Conrad and I hadn't even made it official, yet they continued treating me so, clearly pressuring me., Jacqueline was about to get up, playing along, but I stopped her, knowing my following words might upset them. But the conversation was inevitable. The longer it got delayed, the more restless everyone would become., I took a deep breath, and as Herschel sat down, I finally said,

"Herschel, Jacqueline, I came here today to talk to you about Conrad and me.

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