We talked about walking along the Seine, sitting outside little cafés, and seeing the Eiffel Tower illuminated at night.
Then the children arrived.
Money went toward school expenses, car repairs, medical bills, and the mortgage.
The envelope gradually stopped filling.
I blamed Helena for allowing our dream to fade.
But the truth was that I’d stopped contributing to it too.
Instead of helping us create the life I wanted, I began resenting the one we had.
Then I met Whitney.
She was confident, outgoing, and full of energy.
We met through work, and what began as casual conversations quickly became something else.
Whitney laughed at my jokes.
Listened enthusiastically when I discussed business opportunities.
Complimented my appearance.
Made me feel like an interesting, successful man rather than a tired father with responsibilities.
“You have so much potential, Ross,” she told me one evening.
I remember smiling.
“You really think so?”
