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wedding ring. Turning the ring on the tip of her finger, she thought of when she and David first married. He was so charming. She remembered the laughter and love they shared in those earlier days. He would always say she was his angel, sent down from heaven, and he couldn‘t believe that a woman as beautiful as her would love a man like him.
    Her family and friends loved him, except Lisa. Lisa always believed he was too obsessed with her. “I mean, you are a wonderful woman, don’t get me wrong.” Lisa would explain, “But he’s got you on a pedestal; you’re his angel, his princess . . . you’re perfect! And what happens if you fall off that pedestal?”
    Tears rolled down her cheeks, and Kristina threw the ring in the back of the bathroom drawer. I found out that answer , she recalled with anger and bitterness choking her throat.
    Shaking off the haunting memories, she dried her face and finished putting away her things, her chin quivering from time to time. Looking at her tear-stained face in the mirror, she admonished her reflection. “Stop! You are starting over, and this time nothing, and no one, is going to hurt you."
    After unpacking, she set about preparing for her first day at school. Throwing herself into her work, she lost track of time. Before she knew it, it was midnight.
    The next two days were filled with much of the same. She spent her time alternating between working on her classes and getting herself settled into her new home. There was plenty of occasion for breaks as a constant barrage of visitors came knocking at her door. She was delighted that none of her visitors included the high and mighty Nathan McKinley. May came by Friday morning to invite her to dinner at their house that night, and she was invited to church on Sunday by April, who stopped by Saturday night to bring her a pie.
    “Yes, Nathan invited me too. I’ll be there.”
    April chortled, “I can see that boy hasn’t lost his charm.”
    “Oh no, it’s not like that. He just said it would a great way for me to get to know everyone at the dinner afterward…” she let her words trail off as she saw April's knowing smile was not relenting.
    “Do I need to bring anything for the dinner?”
    “Heavens, no darling. You are a guest…for now.”
    Kristina managed a weak smile. April rubbed her arm, and said, “Well honey, I know you must be tired. I’ll be letting you get some rest.”
    At the door, April hugged her and said, “Don’t let Nathan’s charm fool you either. He is much more than just a dashing smile. That man is one of the sweetest and compassionate men I have ever known, and godly too. Any woman would be lucky to have a man like him.”
    Kristina’s face paled; she’d had enough “godly” men in her life…she would consider herself lucky to never have to deal with one again.
    The phone rang just as she closed the door, and she was relieved to hear Lisa’s voice. She was exhausted from plastering a smile on her face.
    “Your students keep coming by and asking how you are doing.” Lisa said casually, though concern tinged her voice. “What should I tell them?"
    “Tell them I’m doing great.” Kristina proceeded to tell Lisa about her encounter with Mrs. Rose, the steady stream of visitors and the invitations she had already received.
    “Well,” Lisa admonished, “You better take the one to church.” At Kristina’s silence, she added, “I know how you feel. Don’t let what happened keep you from church. God’s the only one who can heal you.”
    Silenced stretched across the line.
    “So, I didn’t just call to chit-chat. David’s lawyer came by the school this week.”
    “What did he want?” Kristina’s voice was barely a whisper.
    “Your address, he has some papers that need your signature. I told him I would be willing to forward anything to you, but you wished your location to remain private.”
    “Good, did he leave it with you?”
    “No, he said he needed to deliver it in person. I