Not Quite by the Book

by Julie Hatcher

I wanted it, but it didn’t want me.

Being alone was fine. I was fine.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers.

Not everyone is meant for a partner in life. Maybe I’m one of those.”

Maybe all sisters had some points of contention.

I enjoyed the busyness and satisfaction of a job well done, but I hadn’t actually enjoyed running the shop in a long time.

I’d made excuses and accommodations for bad behaviors, all in the name of remaining open minded. I was patient when they were moody and short tempered, accepting when they were habitually late, and I’d dutifully provided the princess treatment to every single frog. Thankfully I’d since learned there was a difference between staying open minded and being a willing doormat.

Emily loved life, but she knew loneliness despite a vibrant family and the many connections all around her.

I’d traveled to another town, hoping to give up on the epic love I’d always wanted. But part of me wondered if resigning myself to eternal singledom by choice would leave me in a worse condition than when I’d started.

Even recluses had visitors.