I glanced at Nick.
He nodded.
And for once, he didn’t argue.
In December, Tara sent me a message.
She was further along in her pregnancy and wondered whether she could borrow a warm maternity cardigan.
But this time, she added something important.
*If you’d rather keep yours, please say no. I’ll find another way.*
I had two cardigans.
I chose to lend her the newer one Elaine had purchased.
Tara came to collect it.
She thanked me.
Then she asked when I’d like it returned.
That simple exchange felt surprisingly important.
For the first time in months, helping her felt like a choice I had made freely.
Tara’s baby, Owen, arrived in January.
When I visited her, I brought a little outfit I’d personally chosen.
We sat together talking about motherhood.
Neither of us pretended the previous autumn hadn’t happened.
But we were beginning to move forward.
