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Driving home, I’m excited and grateful for the unexpected plans with Kat for the evening. After checking out the website from the link she sent, it looks like the restaurant where we’re meeting is a trendy new farm to table place in the central part of Richmond called SHAGBARK. It’s sleek and sophisticated if the pictures are any indication.
Maybe I should dress up a bit. Biting down on my lip, my mind travels to the last time I wore my favorite emerald green dress. I should’ve been offended by his words, but the swirling sensation in my lower belly had me too distracted. I’d been standing in the cashier’s line thinking about what I needed to put on my list for the grocery store when an unfamiliar warmth traveled up my back. I can’t say it was unpleasant, but I was so shocked I quickly spun to determine the origin. Who knew those incredible whiskey-colored eyes would be staring down at me?
Your scent is irresistible. There was nothing else in here that had my mouth watering, so I knew it had to be you.
Lord. What is wrong with me?
Parking the car, I head inside my modest abode. Dan and I purchased the one-story ranch after his diagnosis was confirmed. We’d been living in an apartment prior to that, but our residence on the second floor caused him to have difficulty with the stairs early on. A townhouse didn’t seem to be an option, as none of them had a first-floor master.
Once we located this neighborhood near the hospital, we knew we’d found the right place. There was a mix of homes ranging from three story lake front homes to single story ranches like ours. We didn’t sacrifice the square footage, as the layout is quite spacious. But we were able to have a floor master bedroom and a living area that provided the open floor plan we desperately needed to accommodate his wheelchair and adaptive equipment.
Dropping my purse and keys on the kitchen island, I make my way to the bedroom. Kicking off my shoes, my gaze darts about the room, it hasn’t changed much in the years since Dan died. I eventually purchased new bed coverings and tried to brighten up the space to get out of my funk. But quite honestly, it’ll always feel like his presence lingers here.
My mother and brother urged me to consider selling. But at the time, I wasn’t in the right place for that conversation. I’m still not sure I’m ready, but I’m at least at a point I know I need to consider a future without him. And that might include a new home.
Walking into the closet, my gaze quickly lands on the vibrant green maxi dress. Biting the inside of my cheek, I try not to giggle. It really is absurd how looking at it makes me feel beautiful now. I grab a pair of strappy sandals and some silver and blue jewelry and place everything on the bed before heading into the bathroom to run water for a quick soak before I meet Kat.
Ding.
Darting over to my phone, I verify Kat hasn’t messaged to say we should reschedule as Nick is out of surgery earlier than expected. Nope. Just a pesky text about a sale on T-shirts. I knew I shouldn’t have clicked that box enabling text messaging when I bought Rita’s birthday gift.
Heading back to the bath, I deposit the phone on the chair and start to undress. Maybe I’ll put the meditation app on for ten minutes or so while I’m soaking. I used to be pretty good about starting and ending my day that way, but with all of the extra hours at the hospital lately, it’s fallen by the wayside.
I reach for my favorite bath oil of eucalyptus and mint and inhale the relaxing scent. I haven’t enjoyed such a nice day off in ages. As little as I do beyond work and my mother, I should make more time for dinners with friends. And maybe look into that pottery class I told Kat I’d resume.
Sliding down into the hot water, I carefully reach for my phone and start the meditation app. Thank goodness for these. If there wasn’t someone’s voice encouraging my mind to “return to the breath,” I’m certain I’d fall asleep halfway through. It’s feast or famine really. Some days the app works well, and it can train my brain to focus every time it wanders to the fifty things on my to do list. Other days, I consider it a win if I complete the experience without snoring.
As Jason Clarke’s soothing voice advises my time is up and to slowly open my eyes, I take another deep inhale and sit up in the tub to try to stretch my muscles. I’ll admit, I’m not sure the meditations he narrates are all that relaxing. His voice kinda gets me all hot and bothered. But I tried to keep my eye on the prize, so to speak.
Grabbing my phone, I close the app and decide to quickly check to see if I’ve received any newsletters from my favorite authors. Sometimes they share sales or new releases. The book I’ve been reading is okay, but honestly, unless there’s some crazy twist I didn’t see coming, I’ll be happy to try something new. It’s not likely that’s going to happen in the epilogue, but you never know.
It kind of stinks that I’ve always been a rule follower. It’s nearly impossible for me to stop reading a book I’ve started, even when it falls flat.
Hmm. What’s this?
The subject line says:
Congratulations. You’re on your way.
It’s probably a scam. The sender is Bedrock Entertainment Corp. Lying back against my bath pillow, I open the email with my finger hovering over the trash icon.
Congratulations, Poppy Danforth. You and up to three immediate family members are headed to Jamaica! St. Luke’s Hospital is so grateful for your service to their patients that they’re pleased to offer you an all-expense vacation of a lifetime. Five nights and six days at a luxury all-inclusive ocean front resort. We can guarantee you’ll enjoy beautiful ocean views from your suite, all you can eat meals and snacks, complementary drinks, and various forms of outdoor entertainment. (The only thing we can’t guarantee is the weather.)
We at Bedrock Entertainment are your travel agents for this amazing trip. Once you have decided on the dates for your vacation, please complete the attached contract so we can facilitate the booking of your hotel room, airfare, and transfers to and from the airport.
Holy shit!
Water splashes all about the floor as I attempt to keep my phone from tumbling into the bath. Is this really happening? I’m so overcome with excitement that I can’t read the fine print. I pull up the print feature on my phone and send a copy of the email and attachment to my office. I’ll get Kat to look over this at dinner. Because I’m so overwhelmed right now, I’m not sure I could trust myself to catch if this is merely a scam. There are too many details that line up with what was on the entry form. It has to be real.
The deep relaxation of my meditation app long gone, I squeal as I kick my feet, adding more water to the tile floor. Taking in the sight, I throw my head back in laughter. Who cares?
I’m going to Jamaica, baby!
* * *
Pulling open the heavy glass doors to SHAGBARK, I revel in the gorgeous interior. The dining area has deep brown wood tones on the floor, tabletops adorned in white linen, and chairs with gorgeous, white leather cushions. The lighting is comprised of beautiful clear glass domes, which seem to mirror the stemware on the tables.
“Hi,” the hostess greets. “How many?”
