JENNIE

After I hung up, I opened a flights app. The earliest flight to Tel Aviv was at 6 a.m. I looked at the clock, seeing it was midnight. By the time I got to the hospital, after having been through security checks and customs if it went fast and easy, Lisa would have been there for an hour. I booked the tickets immediately; it was a three-hour flight from Kyiv to Tel Aviv.

Kai found me shoving my necessities in my carryon bag. His eyes widened. He was tired, the corners of his lips tugging down.

"Are you leaving already?"

I told him about my call. Kai sat on the bed and watched me silently. Then he went to the kitchen and brought me some snacks.

"So you won't be hungry. You are always famished on planes."

The girl he loved was leaving. Only an hour ago he was sure we were on the way to a happy life together with a family, and now everything was different.

When I was ready and had double checked to make sure I had packed everything, there were still two hours left before I would leave for the airport.

"Sit with me. Do you want some tea?" Kai asked.

"Yes, okay."

We moved to the kitchen, and I looked around. I didn't know when I would see it again. I loved this place; the spot on the windowsill was my favorite place in the apartment.

"Are you going to find a new place to live?" I asked.

"Not now. I need some time to get back on my feet, literally, and then we'll see. It's too much to think about now."

Two steaming cups sat between us, and I studied Kai.

"I am sorry," I said. "I am sorry that I couldn't give you what you wanted."

"I know, but it doesn't make it easier." He ran a hand through his hair. "And I didn't even fight for you."

I laughed. "It's real life, not some kind of movie."

He was silent.

"Thank you again, for staying with me. You put me above your relationship."

I nodded, doing one good thing had hurt another person badly.

We talked about our future, how uncertain everything was. I hoped so much that he would be in his happy place soon. But it was time for me to go.

I dressed and opened the Uber app. The car was seven minutes away. I hugged Kai.

"Good luck, Jennie."

"Goodbye."

I had closed the door on my previous life.