problems. Disgusted with myself, I snatched a file off the stack and logged the entries in a spreadsheet.
Concentrate on work, nothing else.
Hours later, I threw on a track suit and took off for a jog, returning to my old stomping grounds. At the end of the sidewalk, I stared at the overgrown yard and vacant house. It looked different without lights on, without two females sitting on the front porch, without the wood blinds open…
Without Gram.
Without me.
Without…even the sun.
It had come out earlier but now remained hidden, concealed by a misty fog that rolled in about an hour ago, shielding my homestead and shrouding it in a haze.
Right there. My reminder. My purpose. My intent.
Fired up, I ran full blast, determined nothing and no one would get in my way.
Sunday and my first day off began with Mylaynee pounding on my door at the crack of dawn, rocking on the balls of her feet. “So what are we doing today?”
“Uh, I’m not sure. I need another cup of coffee before I can think straight.” I walked to the kitchen for a refill. “Want some?”
“No, I don’t drink that stuff.”
I pretended shock at her claim. “I’ll have three then, one just for you.” She giggled all the way to the balcony. We plopped down in the plastic chairs and propped our feet on the rail as we watched the whitecaps. Hypnotized by the ripples, I wracked my brain for something we could do. In under a week I’d made at least one friend, and maybe over time I’d have a few more. Mylaynee situated herself into my life, making the transition smoother and happier than I could’ve predicted. An idea forming, I asked, “Do you like animals?”
Her scrunched brows and hesitant answer didn’t show much confidence. “Yes.”
I took a sip from the steamy mug before responding, building the suspense. “Have you gone horseback riding? Croton Point Park offers trail rides on the weekends, and it’s not too expensive.”
She sat up taller, her feet dropping from the railing. “No I haven’t, but I’d like to try. Have you gone?”
“Gram and I used to sometimes.”
She grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We could do something else.”
I shook my head. “No, I need this, but thank you.” My smile widened to reassure her.
She leapt across, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and squeezing tight. “Okay, then. What do I wear?” she said on a rush, glancing down at her bright white, steam-pressed linen outfit.
I laughed because I hadn’t seen her in jeans or anything that could be considered casual. My smile got larger as I envisioned her wearing my thrift store garb. “Let’s go look in your closet and see what we can find.”
After rooting through her massive collection, we found out that cowgirl duds most definitely did not come in designer labels.
Mylaynee insisted on buying a cowboy hat and boots on our way there. The little kids on the trail ride got a kick out of her as she sang out-of-tune country songs the entire time. It didn’t take long for the others to join in too. She had me in stitches so much that tears flowed non-stop. Joyful ones and exactly what I needed.
Not a second off the horse, she announced another activity, taking me to a different type of park not far from Croton Point. Sweat dripped from my hairline as I tilted my head back and locked sights on the towering monster she made a beeline for as soon as we got there. I regretted in that instant, agreeing to her idea. My stomach twisted in knots as I peered at my worst fear—the Ferris wheel.
“I don’t think I can ride that. The sign says it goes six hundred thirty feet in the air and carries up to fourteen hundred people. What’s with those capsule things? Where’s the seats? I’m dizzy and we haven’t even gotten on it yet,” I whined with scaredy-cat perfection.
She looped her arm through mine and tugged me forward. My hand cupped over my brow forming an imitation sun shield, I examined every inch. Crap, much
Concentrate on work, nothing else.
Hours later, I threw on a track suit and took off for a jog, returning to my old stomping grounds. At the end of the sidewalk, I stared at the overgrown yard and vacant house. It looked different without lights on, without two females sitting on the front porch, without the wood blinds open…
Without Gram.
Without me.
Without…even the sun.
It had come out earlier but now remained hidden, concealed by a misty fog that rolled in about an hour ago, shielding my homestead and shrouding it in a haze.
Right there. My reminder. My purpose. My intent.
Fired up, I ran full blast, determined nothing and no one would get in my way.
Sunday and my first day off began with Mylaynee pounding on my door at the crack of dawn, rocking on the balls of her feet. “So what are we doing today?”
“Uh, I’m not sure. I need another cup of coffee before I can think straight.” I walked to the kitchen for a refill. “Want some?”
“No, I don’t drink that stuff.”
I pretended shock at her claim. “I’ll have three then, one just for you.” She giggled all the way to the balcony. We plopped down in the plastic chairs and propped our feet on the rail as we watched the whitecaps. Hypnotized by the ripples, I wracked my brain for something we could do. In under a week I’d made at least one friend, and maybe over time I’d have a few more. Mylaynee situated herself into my life, making the transition smoother and happier than I could’ve predicted. An idea forming, I asked, “Do you like animals?”
Her scrunched brows and hesitant answer didn’t show much confidence. “Yes.”
I took a sip from the steamy mug before responding, building the suspense. “Have you gone horseback riding? Croton Point Park offers trail rides on the weekends, and it’s not too expensive.”
She sat up taller, her feet dropping from the railing. “No I haven’t, but I’d like to try. Have you gone?”
“Gram and I used to sometimes.”
She grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We could do something else.”
I shook my head. “No, I need this, but thank you.” My smile widened to reassure her.
She leapt across, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and squeezing tight. “Okay, then. What do I wear?” she said on a rush, glancing down at her bright white, steam-pressed linen outfit.
I laughed because I hadn’t seen her in jeans or anything that could be considered casual. My smile got larger as I envisioned her wearing my thrift store garb. “Let’s go look in your closet and see what we can find.”
After rooting through her massive collection, we found out that cowgirl duds most definitely did not come in designer labels.
Mylaynee insisted on buying a cowboy hat and boots on our way there. The little kids on the trail ride got a kick out of her as she sang out-of-tune country songs the entire time. It didn’t take long for the others to join in too. She had me in stitches so much that tears flowed non-stop. Joyful ones and exactly what I needed.
Not a second off the horse, she announced another activity, taking me to a different type of park not far from Croton Point. Sweat dripped from my hairline as I tilted my head back and locked sights on the towering monster she made a beeline for as soon as we got there. I regretted in that instant, agreeing to her idea. My stomach twisted in knots as I peered at my worst fear—the Ferris wheel.
“I don’t think I can ride that. The sign says it goes six hundred thirty feet in the air and carries up to fourteen hundred people. What’s with those capsule things? Where’s the seats? I’m dizzy and we haven’t even gotten on it yet,” I whined with scaredy-cat perfection.
She looped her arm through mine and tugged me forward. My hand cupped over my brow forming an imitation sun shield, I examined every inch. Crap, much
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