Susan sighed as she leaned against the chair. It was insane that taking care of one child, Susie, could be so tiring. It probably would help if she could sleep at night, instead of constantly thinking of what she had left behind in Chicago. She looked sadly at the phone. Sure, he was only a phone call away. Perhaps calling him would make more sense, instead of wondering what he really thought. But she was too certain that the way she had left - the way she hadn't left anything for him to hope on - that the last thing he wanted to hear was her voice. Let bygones be bygones - it might be more difficult now, but at least he wouldn't be left wondering. He could move on. If she felt like this after two weeks, another two weeks would definitely dull the pain, and they could both begin their new lives.
Mark stood at the door to her - his - apartment, staring absentmindedly at the handle on the door. He knew, logically, that taking over the lease was the worst idea he had carried through for a while. What use was it reminding himself of her? The way she had left - he had wanted to tell her so much the speech he had rehearsed for the past month - but she had a new life, and that new life was in Phoenix, away from Chicago, away from County, away from him. He pushed open the door with a regrettable sigh, stepped in, and glanced at the phone. He knew he should call her, but if she hadn't wanted him to be a part of her new life, calling would just be imposing himself. He should be happy for her. Moving forward was something that she had decided on, and he would have to work towards.
Susan picked up her gurgling niece, surprised that she was hungry again.
"I only just fed you an hour ago!"
She smiled indulgently as the baby waved her arms around, and whacked Susan in the face.
"Ow! Oh you..."
Susan smiled as she strapped Susie into the walker, ready to walk out and meet Chloe at the community hall for dinner - when all of a sudden, the world spun. Leaning on the sofa, she sat down and wondered what had happened.
"Oh get over it, it's probably lack of sleep..."
As she got to her feet again, the weight on her legs made them buckle and she crumpled heavily onto the floor. Susie began wailing as she sensed something was wrong.