Page 5 of Tessa and Nash

TRAIL RIDES → arrow → STORIES AT NIGHT.

CAMPFIRE FOOD (REAL FOOD).

(ASK ROSE ABOUT MENUS)

Another arrow shoots off toward the side.

FAITH

→ PHOTOS

→ VIDEOS

→ “DAY IN THE LIFE”

I draw a tiny phone icon and add:

SHE’LL LOVE THIS.

I laugh quietly to myself, shaking my head.

The next page is numbers. Not clean columns, more of a controlled string of thoughts.

FIX MYSELF = $

HIRE HELP = $$

DON’T CUT CORNERS = NON NEGOTIABLE

I circle non negotiable three times.

For once, the math doesn’t feel like a threat. It’s a challenge I actually want to take on.

I scribble down another thought before I lose it.

THIS IS MINE.

No arrow. No explanation. Just the words, sitting there, solid.

My chest tightens, but it isn’t fear.

I flip to a new page and write it big.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

I draw a box around it, then a second box, then add little exclamation marks in the corners as warning signs.

Underneath, I jot:

CLEAR

HONEST

PREPARED

Then, almost without thinking, I add in smaller letters off to the side:

DON’T PANIC