“Yes, you ridiculous man!”
I stood, and she threw her arms around my neck.
When we kissed, the city glittered below us.
And somewhere in the middle of that moment, I understood something I had been too young to understand when our story began.
Love isn’t proven by how much you are willing to sacrifice.
Sometimes, it’s proven by how patiently you allow another person to choose.
Karen had chosen herself first.
Then, when she was ready, she chose me.
And I had never been more grateful for anything in my life.
The Wedding and the Empty Chair
We got married the following spring.
Karen wanted a small ceremony in the garden behind Second Chapter. Her sister helped organize everything, and Daniel insisted on giving a speech.
That decision worried me more than the weather forecast.
On the morning of the wedding, I stood in the little room behind the bookstore, trying to tie my tie.
