I missed him, too.
But after eighteen years of marriage, I’d grown accustomed to business trips, airport goodbyes, and family dinners with an empty chair.
That morning, Ryan kissed my forehead while I prepared breakfast.
“Chicago again?” I asked.
“Unfortunately. Two days of meetings.”
“Remember to call the kids tonight.”
“Of course.”
He picked up his suitcase.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Two hours later, everything changed.
My mother’s neighbor, Harold, called.
“Kylie, your mom became dizzy while gardening. She’s been taken to the hospital!”
My stomach dropped.
Mom lived outside Chicago, roughly forty minutes from the airport.
Harold reassured me that she was awake and speaking, but doctors wanted to monitor her condition.
I immediately booked the earliest available flight.
My sister-in-law, Denise, agreed to look after the children.
At the airport, I called Ryan twice.
He didn’t answer.
I assumed he was already attending meetings.
