Not Quite by the Book

by Julie Hatcher

Life was composed of a million tiny moments, of a million little nows—and my now was happening.

“They wanted to share their favorites with you. That’s how people are. We share what we love with the people we love.”

Do you think the real reason I’m unhappy lies within me? I stared at the words, hating them and questioning their truth. Would I be sad wherever I went because I was the problem? Not my family, my job, or my singleness?

My heart couldn’t take the chaos of his hot-and-cold behavior.

Suddenly all the other failures in my life formed a kick line and danced into my mind, each stomping a little harder on my heart until tears began to brew.

I wanted a big, epic love,