The breeze was fresh and clean through her window. She sighed. There was nothing she could do now, she told herself. The deed was done.

Maria stood, allowing herself one more long glance out to the slowly awakening world, then turned and made her way to the kitchen. No use worrying about it anymore, right? She put her ladybug kettle on the stove for tea, turning the heat on low. Natalie would be home soon. She’d have the tea ready and surprise her with it. Maybe then it wouldn’t be so bad.

She probably shouldn’t have written it. She probably should have kept her thoughts to herself. But it had gotten excruciatingly painful lately, and when there’s no one to take charge but yourself, then you have to do something. So that’s what she did. She took charge. It’s reasonable, right?

She didn’t know how Natalie would respond. Of course, if she had known, then the whole thing wouldn’t be a problem. She wouldn’t have to question and wonder and have her brain run around in circles trying to figure it all out. It would just be simple. Yes or no.

Maria grabbed the pan of monkey bread that she had made sometime around three am and started cutting pieces out. Maybe Natalie would be hungry. She always loved the monkey bread. Maybe that would help. The tea bubbled innocently as she slowly laid out the small slices in a circular pattern. Natalie didn’t care much for presentation, but Maria’s habits were strong. Any decoration or cleanliness in their tiny little apartment was all thanks to Maria.

A light whistle snapped Maria out of her daydreaming. She made her way over to the teapot, turning off the heat in a swift, practiced motion, then brought it over to the little island counter where the monkey bread sat. She let the pot rest on a cute little pink ceramic trivet while she grabbed their matching teacups down from the cupboard – one was gold, the other a yellow-green, both engraved with intricate designs of the other’s color. They had picked them up at some antique fair years ago. Natalie had feigned disinterest, but Maria knew she was fond of them; she purchased them despite their outrageous price and her meager salary.

Remembering that little fact made Maria smile. Natalie always treated her cup with such tenderness, like she did with all the things that Maria gave her. And they had lived together for such a long time that Natalie had amassed quite a few gifts. Not that Maria didn’t treasure her own presents. She just could see that there was something special about the way Natalie handled the things she loved.

Maria’s heart clenched a little as her thoughts returned to the letter. Was it the right decision? Or would everything change after this? No, can’t think about that. Don’t let yourself think about it, Maria. It’ll only be harder. You’ll have your answer soon, and then…

She felt the breeze rustle her hair slightly, and a soft, melodic jingle rang through the air. The chimes – they only rang when someone opened the door, there was never a strong enough breeze coming through that window –
Maria stood and walked around the short corner to see Natalie standing in the doorway. Her face was red and splotchy, her cheeks covered in tears. A piece of paper was clenched tightly in her hand.

“Welcome home,” Maria said.