“Times were different,” Judith shot back. “Now people wait too long and miss their chance. It’s not good for the children or the marriage.”
I caught a small wink from Ned as he looked at me across the table.
“There’s no rush,” he said so softly Judith almost didn’t hear.
But I did, and something inside me cracked open just a little.
As the meal continued, the topic shifted, as it always did, to our living situation.
Judith leaned in.
“So, have you two found anything better yet? I mean, I know Talia’s apartment is cozy, but it’s hardly a place to raise kids.”
“We’re looking,” Grant said smoothly. “We’ve got a few mortgage appointments lined up.”
“Good.” She nodded firmly. “You need space, a real home. Not just a starter box.”
I wanted to speak up, to say that I liked my apartment, that it was filled with books and light and memories, but instead I just sipped my water.
Judith turned to me with a syrupy smile.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, honey, but that little one-bedroom of yours. It’s cute for a single girl. You’re about to be a wife, a mother. That place is a phase, not a future.”
“It’s my home,” I said quietly. “My grandmother left it to me.”
“And that was generous,” she replied without missing a beat. “But legacies can be stepping stones, not destinations.”
I felt Grant squeeze my knee under the table. I don’t know if it was meant as comfort or pressure.
When we got in the car to head home, the silence was thick. Grant tapped the steering wheel like he always did when he was processing.
Then, casually, “You were quiet tonight.”
“Didn’t feel like competing,” I said.
He laughed a little too loudly.
“You’re reading into things again.”
I looked out the window, watching headlights streak past in the dark.
“Are we making all these decisions together, Grant? Or are you just assuming I’m on board?”
“Talia,” he said with a sigh. “I’m not assuming. I just know what’s best for both of us.”
I nodded slowly, my throat tight, and for the first time, I wondered what would happen if I said, “I don’t want this.”
It was a Tuesday afternoon when the call came in. I was at my desk, halfway through translating a 20-page contract from German, when my cell phone buzzed. I almost didn’t answer, figuring it was another spam call, but something made me pick it up.
“Hi, is this Talia Mercer?” a deep, polished voice asked. “This is Holden Graves from Concordia Consulting. We came across your resume through one of our language agency partners. Are you currently open to new opportunities?”
I blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“We’re looking for a senior translator for our European client portfolio. High-level negotiations, international contracts, frequent travel, Munich, Paris, sometimes Amsterdam. Great salary, fast-paced. You are highly recommended.”
I sat back in my chair, heart suddenly thumping.
“Can I ask how soon you’re looking to fill the role?”
“Immediately. If you’re interested, I’d love to meet with you this week. We move fast, Talia. The position requires flexibility and initiative.”
I murmured something about needing time to consider and ended the call with trembling fingers.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. The screen in front of me became a wash of grays and lines.
That night, I didn’t tell Grant. Not right away. I needed to let it breathe inside me. I needed to feel the possibility without having it crushed before I’d even spoken the words.
The next evening, as we were finishing dinner, I finally said it.
“I had a call yesterday,” I said, pushing peas around my plate. “A job offer with a company in Chicago. International consulting. They want me to handle their European clients.”
Grant barely looked up.
“Oh, yeah? How’d they find you?”
“Through the agency. They saw my profile, reached out. It’s a real opportunity. Better pay, travel.”
He chewed his bite slowly, then set down his fork.
“And?”
“I told them I’d think about it. They want to meet.”
“You didn’t tell them no.”
“Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.”
That was a lie, but I said it anyway.
Grant leaned back in his chair and gave me that look, the one that meant he was about to teach me something.
“Talia, we have a wedding in three weeks. We’re looking at houses. My mom already booked the venue. You really think now’s the time to be flying off to Germany?”
“It wouldn’t be forever,” I said quickly. “Just one or two trips a month. I could try it out.”
He scoffed.
“Try it out? What is this, a cooking class? We’re building a life here together, not chasing some pipe dream around Europe.”
I felt my hands clench under the table.
“It’s not a pipe dream. It’s the job I’ve wanted since college.”
“And what about the family we’re supposed to be starting? You going to zoom into our future from a hotel room in Frankfurt?”
I stared at him, stunned by the sarcasm.
“You’re making it sound ridiculous.”
“It’s not.”
“It is,” he said flatly. “It’s unrealistic. Selfish, even. What happened to the plan, Talia? House, kids, normal. You want to throw all that away for a passport stamp?”
Later that night, I sat on the edge of our bed, staring at my reflection in the darkened window.
My own voice echoed in my mind.
What if you said yes?
What if you took the meeting?
What if this wasn’t running away, but finally running toward something that was yours?
I called my mom. It was late, but she answered on the first ring.
“Hi, sweetheart. Everything okay?”
I hesitated.
“I got a job offer. A big one. International. Lots of travel.”
There was a beat of silence.
“And how do you feel?”
“Excited. Terrified.”
“And what does Grant think?”
I didn’t answer.
She exhaled slowly.
“Talia, you’ve always been the brave one. The one who dreamed in more than two dimensions. If this job scares you a little, it’s probably the right one.”
I hung up and looked at the ceiling for a long time.
Maybe this wasn’t about breaking anything apart. Maybe it was about finally building something that looked like me.
The following morning, I woke up to three missed calls and one voicemail from Marleene. Her voice was chipper and commanding all at once.
“Talia, darling, I found the perfect venue for your rehearsal dinner, and I scheduled a fitting for you at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Bridal Elegance on Main Street. Ask for Deanna. Oh, and no need to worry about shoes. I’ll take care of those.”