Lori’s New Year’s Resolution
Hanna sipped her water and sighed. “I, for one, am looking forward to 2021. Have you made your new year’s resolution yet?”
Audio Chapter 29—Dan: Flowers and kittens; Jessica: Space and time
I race up to her and follow her into the kitchen. “What are we having?”
“This.” She pulls on my t-shirt and I wrap my arms around her and lean in for a kiss. Sweet as the chocolate chip cookies packed in a plastic bag on the table. Warm as the summer sun. Necessary as air.
Audio Chapter 28—Jessica: More than a loaf of sourdough
I pulled him close, took off his mask—brazen woman that I am. And kissed him.
And I’ll do it again. I’m sure of it. I sit beside him as his gaze takes me in inch by inch. He’s studied my hair, badly in need of a cut, and he’s gone over every inch of my face and my body. On a normal day, I’d feel self-conscious. But today, it’s wonderful to be the center of attention.
Chapter 29—Dan: Flowers and kittens; Jessica: Space and time
The news this morning has been breathless as the world awaits the first American space launch since before Lori was born. I’ve kept it on the television all morning, delighted to listen to good news for a change.
Today, the newscasters report in flowery prose, as they talk about the mission and the astronauts and the new space ship.
Audio Chapter 27—Dan: Flowers, candy and apologies
“C’mon, Rex.” Like I have to prod him to hurry after Monster.
We race around the corner where a woman wearing an Old Bay mask is picking up the little creature.
It’s Jessica. My heart gets a workout like nothing it’s experienced before. It pounds out a tune before rising with joy when she looks up at me and smiles.
“Look what I found. This little kitten ran right into my arms.”
Smart cat. Exactly what I wish I could do. I stop about ten feet away. I don’t know if I should get any closer to the woman who isn’t speaking to me.
Chapter 28—Jessica: More than a loaf of sourdough
I don’t remember what we said. There were apologies and health reports and then there was that kiss.
I didn’t wait for Dan who looked like he was too nervous anyway.
I pulled him close, took off his mask—brazen woman that I am. And kissed him.
And I’ll do it again. I’m sure of it.
Audio Chapter 26—Jessica: Hanna to the rescue
What Hanna says next is something I do not expect. “Wake up, Jess. You’ve got a good thing in that man.”
She’s got that little wrinkle between her brows. It’s her signal that she’s saying something difficult and she knows it. But she means it, too.
Chapter 27—Dan: Flowers, candy, and apologies
Though it lasts only a moment, I think it’s a kiss that is forever engraved into my soul.
Chapter 26—Jessica: Hanna to the rescue
Life with Lori hasn’t been rosy the past few days. She’s tired of school by computer and more days than not, I’ve found her playing under the dining room table rather than finishing her homework. I’ve had to sit with her through the few sessions Mrs. Gambino can manage. Poor teacher. She’s still teaching her students how to mute and unmute themselves. And fewer show up each day. Yesterday, five showed up for her social studi
Audiobook: Chapter 24
I wash the mess off my hands and take a deep breath, gathering my courage before I punch in Dan’s number.
What to say, though. How are you, Dan?
Need anything—like my forgiveness?
No. No. No.
Mary K. Tilghman writes 