Chapter 13 - I STOPPED TRAVELING LIKE A SINGLE MANMy work had been my hiding place since Emily died.
After her diagnosis, I became the practical one.
Appointments.
Insurance.
Schedules.
After she died, practicality became motion.
Airports.
Hotels.
Assignments.
I told myself I was building Sophie’s future.
Meanwhile, Sophie needed me in the present.
That realization hurt.
I could not undo the trips.
So I changed the next ones.
I accepted a regional leadership role.
Less travel.
More video meetings.
Delegated.
The company survived.
Imagine that.
One afternoon, Sophie rolled into my office.
“You’re home again.”
“Yes.”
“Did you get fired?”
I laughed.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
She considered.
“Okay.”
Then rolled away.
That was Sophie’s version of affection.
A month later she said:
May you like
“I like when your suitcase stays upstairs.”
That sentence mattered more than any promotion.
