“Hey, girlfriend, I just wanted to make sure you knew about the party on Saturday at the Lilac Lake Cottage.All three Gilford sisters will be in town, and they wanted me to make sure you could come.We know how hard it is for you sometimes to get away.”
“My mother has already promised to babysit, so I’m free to be there.Thanks so much.What’s going on with you?”
“I’m continuing to work in Emmett’s medical office, and I’m really liking it.In addition to reception and office work, I’m helping with his patients.With the opening of the Emergency Center and with the number of people, both elderly and young, needing time to discuss their problems, I’m finding it very interesting to help them come up with solutions.Nothing beyond simple, logical solutions.But Emmett is thrilled with the response he’s getting from my participation.”
“Having accessible medical help in rural areas is a problem for so many states.I’m very relieved he chose to stay in Lilac Lake,” Sarah said.
“Me, too.How are those adorable girls of yours?”Crystal asked, and Sarah noted a tinge of envy in her voice.
“They’re doing really well.They love it here.Having my parents involved in their lives has been very special.”
“And how are you doing?”Crystal asked quietly.“It’s been just over a year since you returned to Lilac Lake.”
“I’m slowly healing,” Sarah said.“Since my husband’s death, I’ve been seeing a grief counselor, and she’s helped me a lot.As much as anyone could.”She hadn’t admitted even to Crystal that she couldn’t think of herself as worthy of a man’s love again.She hadn’t been able to do enough to save her husband.
Crystal broke into the silence.“Recovering from someone’s suicide is a shattering thing for anyone to handle.Please don’t try to do it alone.”
“In this town?”joked Sarah.
Crystal laughed.“I’m so glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor.You were always such fun to be around growing up.”
“I’m trying,” Sarah said honestly.“Thanks for the call.See you Saturday.”
After they finished talking, Sarah sat for a moment, remembering her high school days when she was the one everyone wanted to include because of her upbeat, smiling, laughing manner.If only she could become that person again.
###
Sarah left the store and went to pick up the girls from preschool.She was lucky that Cherie Downes, a former kindergarten teacher in town, had decided to open a preschool, “Bright Beginnings,” for a limited number of children.Not everyone who applied for the program was accepted.Sarah had endured a long interview process about her philosophy on raising children and how much quality time she was able to spend with her girls.She’d passed with flying colors.
Mia and Emily were thrilled that Cherie’s two teenage daughters helped out from time to time.Already, the twins were fussy about what clothes they wanted to wear.Thankfully, they didn’t want to dress alike.Sarah had gone out of her way to encourage them to avoid that routine.
When Sarah arrived at Bright Beginnings, other mothers were picking up their children.Sarah waved at them but didn’t take the time to talk.She was anxious to get home.She’d left her cabin in a mess and wanted to have things in order in case Misty Owens or Hazel Belmont decided to drop by.She’d heard about the cabin for rent through Crystal’s sister, Misty, and had jumped at the opportunity.She could easily walk to the preschool and to work from there.
When she entered the building, her two little girls ran to her.
“Mommy!Mommy!”they cried together.
Mia held up a paper with the letter “C” on it.“I colored it.”
“Me, too,” said Emily, not to be left out.
“We’ll hang them on the bulletin board,” Sarah said, accepting the artwork.She kept a bulletin board in the kitchen where their art projects rotated from one to the next.
“Mine first,” said Emily, smiling at her sister.
Mia shrugged, not taking the bait for a battle.
Sarah didn’t interfere.She let them work out as many issues as possible on their own, but kept a close eye on them so thatthings remained equal between them.
On the walk home, the girls chattered about their day at school.Sarah smiled, listening to them.Having been an only child, she had longed for a sister, so seeing her two girls together now brought her happiness.
###
When they entered the cabin, Sarah silently scolded herself for being such a late riser.They’d left in a hurry as usual, and things were chaotic, with beds unmade and dirty dishes in the sink.
She gave the girls a snack, quickly straightened up, and started a load of laundry.As she worked, she glanced out the windows several times.The woods leading to the river were filled with birds chirping happily.She noticed a couple of squirrels running across the grass and knew they were busy storing nuts for the winter.
When Sarah had dated Aaron in high school, he’d made her aware of the wildlife around them, and she’d learned how to identify different birds from their appearance and their songs.One reason she loved living in the woods was because of Aaron and all he’d taught her to enjoy in nature.With leaves changing color, it was a gift.
