Author's Note: I managed to write this on on the same day. I hope the word fits and that I get better at this over time.
canonical: authorized; recognized; accepted
So, this is it. The thought entered Maya's mind and settled there as she ran her index finger over the words on the paper. Reading and touching it brought a sense of crushing finality. That was ridiculous, right? It was her actions that set the wheels into motion. This is what she wanted. Right?
The choked sob that burst from her could not be stopped. She dropped into the seat in front of her desk, her entire hand covering the paperwork before her. Her fingers again caressed his name. Her ex-husband's name. Thinking of him like that felt wrong, unnatural. But this is what they both needed to move on with their lives. To become the people they were always meant to be. Their marriage was a detour, a distraction. They both knew that.
Now, it was time for a new beginning. With a new job. A new man.
Her cell phone rang and she saw that new man's name on the caller ID. "Hey."
"Hey, babe. Are you home? I've been knocking on the door for a couple minutes."
"I'm so sorry. I was… taking a nap and didn't hear it. I'll grab my things and meet you at the car." After she hung up, she picked her purse up from the bed and slung it over her shoulder. At the last second before she walked out the door, she went back to the desk to put the papers in the drawer. She ignored the quick stab of pain at what the documents meant. You need an end to have a beginning, she told herself.
It didn't matter that her pulse didn't jump at the sound of his voice. It didn't matter that her heart didn't stop at the sight of him. It didn't matter that every day was exactly the same as the last. What she had now was consistent. What she had now was what she'd said she wanted.
So it didn't matter if she wasn't so sure that's what she wanted anymore. It was over.