She didn’t feel defeated as much as weary as she leaned over to put on her seatbelt. The entire drive back to the motel was a blur. Though in the driver’s seat, she felt more like a silent passenger.

When she arrived back at the motel, she slowly made her way to her room and headed for the balcony to sit awhile.

That would have to wait.

The room had a jacuzzi tub, and right now, that was exactly where she was going.

She slowly sank into the warm water and rested her head.

“Ahhhhhhh.”

Jacuzzis had always been one of her favorite happy places. They never failed to transport her busy mind into one incapable of thought.

Her tummy rumbled.

Guess I’ll have to eat soon. I don’t know how, though. I can barely move and don’t want to.

She managed to wrap herself in the motel towel and make her way to the room service menu.

“Oh, look. A grilled chicken salad. Perfect. Wait, I know. A side of fries, heavy on the ketchup. Yummy.”

After ordering, she reached for her book but grabbed the remote instead.

While she waited for the food, she put on her favorite lounging jammies.

She was surprised by how quickly the food arrived. It had been thirty minutes, but she’d been lying there, lost in a delightful daze of nothingness. Awareness of time had left the motel room altogether.

She turned on a lighthearted comedy.

For the rest of the night, she laughed and smiled until she fell asleep before the show had even ended.

The next morning, she finally made her way to the balcony. Her coffee, still hot, warmed her hands in the cool, crisp air. A soft breeze danced through her hair.

She leaned back and propped her feet on the small round table in front of her.

Slowly, she took each sip and let the moment linger before she took the next.

Her attention drifted from her coffee to a nearby mockingbird.

It always amazes me how the sounds of birds in the fresh morning air never get old, she thought.

She sat there, breathing slowly, listening to the birds, when the sudden ring of her phone made her jump.

“Morning, Roni. How are you today?”

“Well, before I tell you how I am, I’m calling to follow up.”

“Huh?” Lilly said.

“Justin wants to know how your piece is coming and if you’re ready to meet again. Isn’t he the most thoughtful?”

“He sure is. But I’m not sure what our plans are tomorrow with your big day coming up. Time is flying.”

“Don’t remind me, Lilly. I still have so much to do.”

“Why don’t we wait until after the wedding?”

“That’s sweet, bestie, but I need to get Justin out of my hair for a little while.”

“Uh-oh, girlfriend. Not a good sign.” Lilly laughed.

“No, nothing like that.” Roni laughed. “How about tomorrow at the same coffee shop?”

Lilly hesitated as she looked toward her notebook.

“Lilly, are you still there?”

“Oh, yes. Sorry, Roni. Can we meet later in the day?”

“Sure. How about 4:00?”

“Perfect,” Lilly said.

“Oh, and don’t worry. Justin is there to help you. It isn’t a test, so just breathe and have fun with it. I can’t wait to hear all about it from both of you. I’ll meet you there at 5:00, and we can all go out to dinner. Sound good?”

“Yes, but Roni, I feel a little guilty. I should be helping you more.”

“Oh, hush. You know what a control freak I am. I’ve got this. Now go get ’em, writer extraordinaire.”

Lilly hung up and put her phone on silent.

Just a few more minutes, she told herself.

She leaned back again, listening to the melodies of the birds.

Lilly took a deep breath.

Now, where was I?

She picked up her coffee and took a sip.

Cold.

“Shoot.”

She shrugged. That was okay.

She sat there a moment longer until a pesky fly decided it wanted her coffee, too. She waved it away, laughing.

The woman in the ocean came to mind.

Then Helen, twirling in front of the mirror.

Lilly smiled.

Neither of them had been thinking about how the moment looked from the outside. They were too busy enjoying it.

She looked at her cold coffee, then out toward the birds.

For the first time in days, she hadn’t been trying to figure anything out either.

She leaped up, tingling with excitement.

“Alright, laptop. It’s time to try again. I’m ready. This is it!”

Settle down, Lilly, she told herself.

“No, I won’t. I love to write, and so I shall.

Not later, but now…”

Lilly’s journey is nearing its end, with just a couple more bits to go. I’m a little sad to see it end, but excited to see where she lands.

Tag, you’re it. If you’d like to jump in, feel free. If not, I’ll keep moving it along, bit by bit.

Sending warmth and kindness.