“Yes. No. Kind of. I don’t know.”
“That covers pretty much everything.”
They both laughed.
“Oh, Nat. I don’t know. I was so glad the divorce was over,and I don’t miss Dan. I’m glad it’s all behind me, but now that you’re gone I’m realizing that all I do is work.”
“Oh, honey. I’ve been telling you that for months.” Natalie’s heart clutched a bit. Sheila had been in self-preservation mode from the time she learned her husband had been cheating on her. It was sad that she was realizing all this, but good that she was coming alive again. “Sheila, you deserve true love and happiness. You’re going to get it.”
“Maybe. Maybe not, but I think getting out of the house we lived in together is a good start. I’m putting the place on the market.”
“It’ll sell in a snap. It’s a gorgeous home, and you have decorated it like it’s staged already.”
“I don’t want people peeking through my panty drawers during open houses, though. I was thinking of going ahead and moving into a furnished rental while I look. I could just store all my stuff until I find the right place.”
“Move here.” Natalie’s hopes soared.
“That will never happen, girlfriend.” Sheila’s laugh made Natalie laugh too.
“It would be fun. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”
“Some things you don’t even have to try to know they aren’t a fit,” Sheila said.
“Fine.”
Sheila yammered on. “I’m thinking a little downtown condo with no commute to work would be nice… for a while anyway.”
“Change is good.” Until now, those words had always been one of those empty consoling phrases she’d tossed out. But now… she truly believed it.
“Who are you kidding? We both hate change. Change sucks.”
“I’m feeling differently about that now, Sheila. Change can suck when it’s not what you want, but when it’s your own doing… it’s kind of nice. Still scary, but in a good way. I’m really enjoying my life right now.”
“I think I’m actually ready for this.”
“Shedding the old stuff to start fresh. It’s going to be great,” Natalie said.
“Oh my goodness. Natalie, you are just getting too positive. I don’t think I can take the pep talk.” But Sheila’s heavy sigh was followed by a much more relaxed laugh. “I hear you. You’re right.”
Maybe Orene was rubbing off on her. And Randy too. “I’m getting pretty good at these pep talks. I give myself one every day.” Not exactly a pep talk, but a prayer. Call it whatever, it was changing her life and her attitude, and if it helped Sheila too, that was a bonus. “Do you need me to come help you move?”
“I’m going to hire movers.” Sheila’s laugh was strained. “I just wanted to be sure I didn’t move into some tiny place if you might need to come back.”
“Nope. That won’t happen. Even if I come back, I’m able to get my own place and take care of myself. I can do it. Don’t forget I’m here for you.”
“Of course you are. You’re the best friend a girl can have. Why don’t we set up some time to grab dinner with this Randy guy? I think he’s good for you, but I want to get to know him.”
“So I don’t screw up like I did with Marc?”
“Well, when a guy sorts you from your herd of friends, it’s a red flag.” Sheila paused, and Natalie knew that Sheila was notpassing judgment. “We’ll be more careful to notice those in the future.”
“I don’t think Randy’s that type, but yeah, I’d love your opinion. We’ll plan something, or you could come to the cabin. We could all go fishing.”
“Can you picture me in waders? Yeah, no, that is not going to happen, no matter how wonderful a friend you are.”
“Takes one to know one.” Natalie hung up her phone and set it on the arm of the chair.
She went inside to mark the dates on her calendar, circling the first weekend in November. Then she circled tomorrow on her calendar too.My first scheduled visitor in my new home.She was looking forward to seeing Randy and having her first shooting lesson.
