Page 11 of Georgia: Britain's Story: Part 1
“We could definitely explore that more, if you want to.”
“No, I think I’m ready to focus on some of the bigger elephants in my life.” Like Georgia, likehim. “Oh, also, I let myself feel something! Sadness. I was finally sad about the divorce.”
“And how was that?” Carla asks.
“Fucking terrible. I cried for hours until I finally passed out. But it must have been cathartic because I slept. Sound, dreamless sleep. And now that I remember that feeling, I’mall inon getting it all the time.”
“Soundspeace-ful,” Carla muses. Yep, Carla, you got me. I’ve had a taste of “the peace” and now I want peace with all of it.
Walking out of Carla’s office building, I’m astonished at how non-crappy I’m feeling. My shoulders aren’t tense, and I’m not teary eyed from anxiety. My phone pings as I step into the parking lot.
Jess
Ready when you are boss.
I told Jess we needed to get together for a travel planning huddle after my session. I hit call while I slide into my Audi. The engine turns while I wait for Jess to answer.
“So, you’re really doing it?” Jess greets me.
“I am.”
“Okay, so I’ve already ironed out most of the travel plans, just need your approval.”
“Sounds good, hit me with it,” I say with a smile. Jess is the best at, well, damn near everything. But her travel itineraries are always first-class perfection.
“K, so fly into SFO on Monday. Stay the night at The Proper Hotel. Tuesday, meet your Aunt Rose in Berkley. Proceed from Berkley straight to your rental at Spearhead Lake. Well, actually you have to stop at a place called Broken Ridge Ranch first. That’s where the realtor is who will give you the keys. Don’t ask me why they couldn’t just leave the keys under a doormat or something. Freaking weirdos. I’ll put the addresses in the formal itinerary I’m emailing over. I reserved everything under the nameLondon Scott, didn’t know how incognito you wanted to go.”
“Cute,” I interject. “Not going incognito, but that’s fine. Wait, is Londonthestage name? Myalter ego?!” I ask mockingly. She ignores me and continues on.
“Also, the rental car will be waiting for you at The Proper Hotel. You’ll just need to retrieve it from valet. And while you’re gone, I have painters coming to the Virginia house. Anything else you want done while you’re away???”
“Hmm, any chance we can get Lauri out to start working on a primary suite redo?”
“I may have already scheduled an appointment with her, but I’m glad it was your idea.” We both laugh.
“Return flight for June 6th? I want to be home to drive the girls to summer camp.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Okay, and our reservation is all set up for The Salamander this weekend, right?”
“Yup, can’t wait,” she says. Whenever we need to celebrate, or mourn, or boost our spirits, we’ve formed a little tradition over the years where she and I take the girls somewhere for a slumber party. Since the girls are mid semester, we’ll stay local and do a quick overnight at the resort by their school.
“I’m going to miss you,” Jess says, her tone subdued.
“Aww, I’ll miss you, too. But it’s not like I’m going to stay there forever! Hell, it’ll be a miracle if I even stay all the way to June 6th.”
“Mm hmm, that’s what they always say. But then you’re going to meet some guy or reunite with a former love, and next thing you know I’m hiring cross-country movers for you and begging Tommy to relocate to California.”
“Ha!” I burst out in a laugh. “You’re reading too much smut, Jess. I’m staying at Spearhead Lake.Off-season. The only men there will be loggers and retirees. And even when I make my way into town, chances are slim I’ll find someone new, let alone someone I used to knowanddoesn’t hate me.” I say this as a little pang of anxiety settles in. I really just left everyone and everything behind because some stupid guy broke my heart and I was too weak to handle it rationally.
“Well, if you do run into someone you used to know, and they hate you, fuck em’.”
“Literally or metaphorically?”
“Depends how hot they are,” Jess replies, and the laughter consumes me.
“I brought the goods!” Jess exclaims as she empties out her tote filled with candy and snacks, most of them international with labels in foreign languages.
