Come on, let's go for a drive

Wednesday's sneak peek

Let’s go for a drive
The destination
up in the air—
What joy lies around the bend? 
I’m determined 
to find it.  

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Back to the book:

I walked in from a run and pulled off my gloves and hat. There was Jeff, just where he was an hour ago slumped on the couch with blankets bundled around him. His face turned toward the window. He did not look good.

My heart felt sick. I wanted to take all my happy hormones from my run and give them to him. I hated he had to endure this and a part of me wished it was me instead of him.

What can I do? I searched my brain for something to cheer him up…a drive.

I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder, “Let’s go.”
He looked at me and shrugged.

“Come on, let’s go for a drive it will be good to get you out of the house.”

I was happy he didn’t resist the idea and agreed. I had no idea where we would drive but trusted I would know once I got into the car. I made a quick change of my clothes before he changed his mind. He bundled up and grabbed a hat.

Cazenovia was a small village about 15 minutes away. We hadn’t been there in a while so I headed in that direction. I turned the music on thinking maybe that would help his mood.

We parked the car and sat for a minute —now what? I wasn’t sure if he would feel like walking. Jeff was tired and his stamina wasn’t great which was to be expected with the chemotherapy treatments he had endured so far. He unbuckled his seatbelt and said, “Let’s walk a bit.”

I smiled, “Alright.”

I was happy he was willing to give it a go. We checked out the local shops for a few minutes on foot then headed back to the car. He was cold. I suggested we find a coffee shop to warm up. We buckled up and headed to a local coffee/bakery shop called Toast just down the road.

We stepped into the shop. My nose inhaled sweet bread, muffins, and cookies. I looked at Jeff as he smiled at the choices under the clean, window displays. “Jules, look at these cookies!” He was thrilled.

I was surprised to see his shift in mood. I was so happy—Jeff is back. His entire posture changed and for a moment I forgot he was sick. I forgot all about next week’s round of chemotherapy. My friend Terri Tomoff was right— “Don’t underestimate the power of a chocolate chip cookie” and I will add to that— and a drive… just for the ‘fun’ of it.

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Thank you for reading,

Julie

Below is the link for our Friday write together session at 11 am (EST). I hope you can join us.