We live together. We are raising your son as our own. We celebrate holidays and birthdays as a family. Tell me why not after three years? Why don’t you want to marry me?”Josie looks at me with tears in her eyes. She wipes them angrily, smearing her make-up in the process. “I don’t know.”“That’s not a reason and you know it.” I kick my shoes off and head to her bedroom. I’m done calling it our bedroom. Clearly I’m in the wrong here, thinking we have something special. I stare into the closet and look at my clothes next to hers. I can’t stay here, not tonight. Not after this second rejection. My suitcase mocks me in the corner, reminding me that nothing in this house, aside from clothes and a few books, is mine. I moved into her home. I never gave it a second thought. Noah’s stuff is here and it made sense. The house is big enough for the three of us, even though I want to expand our family.I think I need to give her space. Maybe that’s the only answer. I pull my suitcase out of the closet and set it on the bed.
