Leaping Around the World Like a Goat

You gallop across the world like a goat
Well pull off wonders, Molly, you just wait and see, Jessica waved her arms, perched on the window ledge of their university halls. You with your consulting, me in marketing, and thenbam! Well start our own agency. Everythings ahead of us!
Molly looked up from her revision notes and laughed, tossing her heavy braid over her shoulder.
Jess, our exams are in a week and youre already building an empire.
Cant a girl dream? Jessica hopped down from the sill and flopped beside her on the sagging bed. Im serious, Molly. Were nothing like those chickens from our course. Were clever. Well make it, you and me.
Molly put down her pen and regarded her frienddisheveled, faded T-shirt, but eyes burning bright. And in that peculiar moment, Molly believed herwholly, inexplicably.
Well make it. Absolutely, she whispered.
Ten years vanished like a breath…
…Molly chewed through those years. An internship at a multinational, late nights wrestling with reports, business English at dawn, Mandarin on Sundays. Conferences, forums, new contacts. She clawed upward, scuffed elbows and bruised knees, never stopping. By thirty, Molly wore tailored British suits, flew to Hong Kong for presentations, and couldnt remember the last time she cried from exhaustionthere simply wasnt time.
…Jessica met Tom in her third year. He fixed cars, smelled of engine oil, and looked at her as though she was the sole woman in the universe. By the fourth year Jess was expecting, by the fifth she dropped out. Their agency dissolved somewhere between her daughters first tooth and her sons second birthday. Now her empire was a three-bedroom flat on the edge of town, commanding saucepans, tantrums, and a perpetually leaking tap.
They still saw each other sometimesless and less. Molly brought gifts from business trips: a silk scarf from Florence, a box of rare Nepalese tea. She showed photos, talked about temples in Kyoto, shared stories of negotiating with Japanese partners.
They never say anything outright, can you imagine? All hints and shades. I spent three months learning their etiquette so I didnt blunder at the first meeting.
Jessica nodded, turning the tea over in her hands, silent. Then sighed heavily.
Must be nice for you. Meanwhile, Tommys brought another virus home from nursery, Toms always working late, moneys always tight
Molly never knew quite what to answer. Between them stood a wall built of different lives, languages, and scentsher £180 perfume versus Jessicas childrens washing powder.
…On Jessicas birthday, Molly arrived straight from the airport. Navy suit, heels, hair still neatly styled from the business lounge. She slipped easily into the party, laughed, spoke about her new project, drew interested glances from men, and respectful ones from women.
Jessica sat in the corner…
Her dress was old, the same one shed worn to Toms work social three years ago. Her hair pulled up into a ponytailnot enough time for a blow dry in the morning, Tommy had thrown a fit again. She watched as Molly sparkled in the centre of the room, everyone hanging on her words, and inside something rosedark, bitter, sticky.
Not envy.
Something worse.
Molly went to the kitchen for water and paused at the doorway. Jessica stood by the window, clutching her wine glass, gazing into nothing.
Jess, why are you here on your own? Molly drew closer, touched her friends shoulder. Come on, cakes coming outNadines bringing it.
Jessica shrugged off her hand.
Go. Theyre waiting for you.
Molly frowned, but didnt back away. She poured herself some water, sipped, and carefully began:
Look, Ive been meaning to say You miss working, dont you? I can tell. We have an opening at my companyentry level, but promising. I could talk to HR, get you an internship, and then
The glass collided with the table so abruptly red wine pooled in a blood-coloured puddle.
An internship? Jessica spun around, and Molly flinched at her face. For me? An internship?
Jess, I just wanted to help
Help? Jessica laughed, but the sound was harsh, fractured. Do you hear yourself? Mighty Molly Emily graces her pathetic friend with charity. Thanks so much for your mercy!
Thats not what I meant, Molly tried to keep her voice steady. I see you hurting, wanting something more, so I offered a way forward.
Did I ask you? Jessica stepped closer, and Molly instinctively retreated. Youve changed, Molly. Used to be normal, nowproud, arrogant. You look down on everyone, with your Hong Kong trips and fancy suits.
Thats unfair.
Unfair? Jessica snapped, someone peeked from the living room but vanished again. Is it fair that you parade your perfect life everywhere? Every day on Instagramhere I am on a flight, here at a conference, heres my five-hundred pound smoothie! Think its nice to see?
Molly choked from surprise…
Im sharing my happiness, Jess. Its normal.
Happiness? Jessica snorted. No, youre showing off! Boasting how successful you are, while the rest of us are failures. Proper women have families and kids at thirty, and you? You gallop across the world like a goatno husband, no child. Empty blossom!
That word cut somewhere deep, in the softest place.
I worked, Mollys voice trembled. I slogged nights while you watched TV dramas. I studied languages while you made stews. It was my choice, and I have a right.
Oh spare me! You trampled over people, thats what. Dont think I dont know how you edged out Marianne for that job? Selfish! Youve always cared for yourself alone!
Molly fell silent, watching her former friendher trembling lips, flushed cheeks, old festering resentment finally found its shape.
Suddenly, it was all clearto a nauseating extent.
You dont hate me, Jess, Molly said quietly. You hate yourself. For being afraid to risk, for giving up. Easier to believe Im the villain than admit you simply lost nerve.
Jessicas face blanched.
Go.
Im already gone, Molly set her glass on the table and walked to the door. Goodbye Jess. Best wishes for domestic bliss.
Molly snatched her bag from the coat rack and shoved open the front door. Cold rain slapped her face, but she hardly flinched, stepping into the grey wash.
Her heels echoed on the wet pavement. Expensive suit soaked, clinging to her back, mascara surely streaking down her cheeksbut what did it matter now. Molly strode to the underground, and each step made breathing easier.
She expected paina sharp grief for fifteen years of friendship, for that girl with blazing eyes on a university ledge, for their shared dreams and plans. Instead, she felt only reliefquiet, perhaps shameful.
Their friendship hadnt died tonight. It faded, year by year, conversation by conversation. Every time Molly shared joy, and got pursed lips back. Every time she spoke of plans, Jess rolled her eyes. Every time she tried to lift her friend, Jess clung to her feet, pulling her under.
Molly descended into the tube and sat on an empty seat, heedless of the damp marks she left behind. She took out her compact, checked her reflectionsmeared mascara, messy hair, red eyes. She smiled and put it away.
Tomorrow shed rise at six, style her hair, put on another suit, and head to work. Because life doesnt end with someone elses envy…
A month later, Molly was called to the managing directors office. She entered, ready for anythinga new project, criticism, another marathon of meetings. But Mr. William quietly handed her a folder, and Molly scanned the first page.
Appointment as Regional Director for Asia-Pacific.
Annual contract in Singapore.
Youve earned this, Molly Emily, the director leaned back. The board voted unanimously for you. You fly in three weekstime to prepare?
Molly looked up from the papers and nodded.
Ill be ready.
She stepped from the office, holding the folder close. Gave herself a moment to stand in the empty hallway. Outside, Novembers sun drew lines of gold and scarlet across the sky. Somewhere, in a suburb, Jessica was probably making dinner and complaining to Tom about the worlds unfairness.
Molly packed her suitcase for Singapore.
And not once, not a single time her whole life, did she regret her choice. As they say hereeach to their own, after all.