I won in this life.
I fell in love with a good man and I'll never stop being grateful for that.
A self made man. A hardworking man. A gentleman and safe man. A man who takes care of me in all the ways that matter.
It was the same older woman from my flight.
Woman: Girl, get in that car.
I wanted the ground to swallow me.
My boyfriend started laughing.
Me: Don't.
Boyfriend: I didn't say anything.
Me: Your face did.
I got in.
There was a blanket on my seat.
And my usual gas-station snacks in the cup holder.
Me: You bought these?
Boyfriend: Nope. They magically appeared.
Me: You're so annoying.
Boyfriend: Eat your chips.
I opened the bag.
Five minutes later, I was asleep against the window.
When we got home, he carried my suitcase upstairs while I walked behind him half-awake.
That was three years ago.
We're still together.
And now whenever I say, βI can handle it myself,β he just looks at me and says:
I know you can.
Then he helps anyway.