Rescued By Nova

Chapter 2

It felt like a normal Tuesday evening; I was cleaning up after the kitchen after dinner. Liam walked in and said, “We need to talk”.

I turned around and said, “What do we need to talk about?” I had no idea what was about to come out of his mouth.

“We don’t want the same things out of life anymore. I don’t think we are happy together anymore. I think it would be best if I moved out. I have already rented an apartment and will have all my things moved out this weekend.” He stated with almost no emotion in his voice.

That is when I notice he had a suitcase next to the door. He was already packed and ready to go. I just stood there. I didn’t even know what to say, how to respond. I was speechless.

“I’m sorry it has to be this way, but I really think it will be for the best. If you need anything you know how to reach me. Goodbye Maggie.” He walked towards me and kissed me on the cheek, then he turned and walked out the door, grabbing his suitcase on the way.

Nova came to my side and nudged her face into my hand. She knew I needed her comfort. I slid down to the floor and just sat there with Nova for what seemed like an eternity. I didn’t even cry, I was just stunned. We hadn’t had any fights; nothing had happened that could have prepared me for this happening.

The rest of the week went by in a blur. Functioning on auto pilot, still trying to come to terms with Liam leaving after 10 years with so few words, so little explanation.

I went to work on Monday, seemingly a normal Monday morning, only to be notified on an emergency staff meeting being held by as soon as everyone had arrived. Dr. Phillips greeted us all with sadness in his eyes as he informed us that he had been diagnosed with very aggressive form of cancer and would be closing the clinic. The clinic would be open for the remainder of the week for clients to pick up records, but as of Friday the clinic would be permanently closed.

I was bawling, I was an emotional, blubbering mess. This was way worse than Liam leaving. Dr. Phillips was Family. I was crushed by this news. This was going to be one of the hardest weeks of my life.

The week was full of goodbyes. Clients that had become friends. Patients I had watched grow up since they were just tiny kittens and puppies. Co-workers that I was definitely going to miss. Friday was here way too fast, and I didn’t know how to handle it. I was terrible with goodbyes. When they day finally came to an end, I didn’t think I could emotionally handle anything more. I was mentally exhausted. I don’t even remember driving home.

In just 2 weeks my life had changed so much. I was single and unemployed. Both of those things felt so foreign to me.

As I sat on my back deck watching Nova run and play in yard, drinking wine from the bottle for the 3rd night in a row, I decided maybe it was time for me to do something for myself for a change. I knew if I stayed in Oklahoma with my family basically next door, I would never have the courage to do anything drastic. I needed to some distance to find myself, to not have to worry about anyone else but myself. Give myself a fair chance.

The last several days I spent a lot of time thinking about my life. Looking back on my life with Liam, I must admit, we were more roommates than two people madly in love with each other. I couldn’t tell you the last time we went on a date with each other or even the last time we had s*x. I will never admit it to him, but he was right to leave. Our life together was just comfortable. Easy. I hate that he was right. I hate that I didn’t even realize it.

I loved my job. I loved helping animals. But it takes a toll on you. It is mentally and emotionally exhausting. Working in Veterinary Medicine is not for the weak. As much as I will miss it, I didn’t even realize the mental toll it had begun to take until really thinking about it the last few days. Most people don’t realize as rewarding as the job can be, it can also be one of the hardest jobs depending on the day.

I wanted to travel. I wanted to spend some time alone; I needed to find myself and decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I want to see the world and figure out who I was without my family guiding my decisions. For the first time in my life, I needed to do something for me. And I needed to do it without thinking about what anyone else would think or say about. Given the chance, I knew every member of my family would try to talk to me out of what I was about to do.

I had a pretty good chunk of money in my savings, but not enough to get my very far. So, it was time to start making some plans. Nova and I had some adventuring to do.