The Missouri Review

"What Happened When the Young Woman Turned 35"

by Jennifer Bryan

She asked him if he would love her forever, and he knew that in the brief moment that he hesitated, not blurting yes, forever he would love her, she got sad. Years ago her parents had divorced, and she had wanted her family to go back to normal. Then both her parents had remarried. Her brother was married, her sister divorced twice and remarried. She constantly wondered if anyone stayed married and happy.

The Missouri Review, Volume 31, Number 4, 2008

Cover Art: Tom Chambers