At first it was odd being paid to do something she enjoyed so much, but as winter gave way to spring and the real estate market picked up, running from house to house, sometimes three to four in a day, quickly began to feel like work. Between her job, dog and children, Lina was almost too busy to think, so when Phil asked about spring break, she had no choice but to tell him she couldn’t afford the time away, and so for the first time in her life she was completely alone while Logan and Katie enjoyed a Caribbean vacation with their father.

“You’ve never been alone overnight?” Diane asked over dinner, the day after Phil and the kids left.

“Not until last night. I went from my house to Phil’s, and we were married while he was in law school and then had babies before he ever traveled, so no, I was never on my own.”

“And how did it feel?”

Lina shrugged. “Fine. To tell you the truth, I was too tired to notice. I was asleep by nine thirty.”

Diane laughed. “You’ve turned into a career woman overnight. You realize this is the first time I’ve seen you in over a month.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just been so busy. I haven’t seen anyone besides the kids and Adele. Can you believe I hired an assistant? I actually have an employee. To think a year ago I wasn’t even working and had never really worked, and now I’m someone’s boss. It’s surreal.”

“It must be agreeing with you. You look good.”

“Do I? I feel like I look tired.”

“No, there’s a healthy glow to you. You’re happy.”

“Happy,” Lina repeated, forcing a smile. “I’m not sure I would say happy, probably ‘not sad’ would be a more apt description. I’m not sad anymore.”

The next night, Lina met Adele and a few coworkers for happy hour. What at first was fun—chatting with work friends and nibbling appetizers—quickly became depressing when Adele invited a couple of men from a nearby table to join them and Lina found herself making small talk with an accountant who was staring at her like she was his next meal.

Her eyes traveled the bar as she absently listened to him complain about his ex-wife. Lina wondered if Phil frequented similar places on the nights he wasn’t visiting the kids or exercising. If he did, she had no doubt women approached him, just as Adele had approached the men currently sitting with them.

“I’m going to leave,” Lina whispered to Adele.

“What? Excuse us for minute,” Adele said to the men before grabbing Lina’s arm and leading her to a quiet hallway near the bathroom. “Why would you leave? They’re cute.”

“I’m tired. I just want to go home.”