No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Sis-in-law, I can't believe you're also heading to Houston," Susie greeted me with the same bubbly enthusiasm she always had, calling me 'sis-in-law' as if nothing had changed.

It was as if she was blissfully unaware of the gossip swirling around Ernest online, but I knew better. She had seen it, choosing instead to feign ignorance for the sake of our interaction. Despite being Ernest's sister, Susie was her own person, and the turmoil between Ernest and me wouldn't affect her feelings toward me.

"Maybe you should start calling me just 'Licia,' not 'sis-in-law,' given..." I let out a self-deprecating chuckle, "your brother's decided to tie the knot with someone else."

My words seemed to freeze the smile on Susie's face, and she looked on the verge of tears.

"No," she shook her head vehemently, "you're my sis-in-law, the only one I'll ever acknowledge. No one else will do."

Though her words did little to mend my heart, they did offer a sliver of comfort to my fractured spirit.

I couldn't help but cherish her all the more for it.

"Licia, I swear, he still loves you," Susie suddenly raised her hand as if taking an oath.

promise I had made to Ernest just the night

vows for now. How

him holding your stuffed bear, and he even mistook me for you, calling out your name...

or was Susie just spinning tales to make

the fact I'm on this flight is thanks to a ticket my brother bought," Susie added, catching me off guard. "Did he

him about going to see the baseball game for days, and he kept saying no Then suddenly today, he buys me a ticket. I

too

a man who had

Turning to Susie, I

Susie's face twisted awkwardly

she leaned

like baseball, it's that Mack Craig

she

couldn't help but ask,