Autumn's Harmony by Donna Wyland

Author:Donna Wyland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Donna Wyland
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

18

Doing, Being, Searching for Joy

As the morning sun began to warm the flowers that filled the pots on the patio out front, Anna carried Cassie’s letter down their winding driveway and placed it in the mailbox, careful to lean it just right against the side. Then she strolled back to the house hoping Cassie would receive her letter with an open heart.

Once inside, Anna couldn’t resist the urge to snuggle a moment with her prize quilt wrapped around her. As usual, Brillo made a comfortable spot on the edge and quickly fell asleep.

Pondering the Happiness seminar she planned to attend that night – unless she lost the courage to go, that is – she recalled the many turns her life had taken. How many times had each scenario played in her mind? The “what if’s” were too numerous to count.

George had agreed to be home before seven, an impossibly early time he complained. Yet, he said yes because he recognized the importance of having someone keep watch over Richie throughout his grounding.

The blinders were off and Anna and George were, for once, on the same side of the war – at least concerning the current battle pertaining to Richie.

Anna had long forgotten how it felt to have help with their children, but George’s small gesture to be home early reminded her it was still possible. Perhaps, deep down they were partners after all. Maybe even friends.

When the phone rang that afternoon, Anna tossed the quilt aside and raced to answer. Brillo tumbled off then jumped onto the loveseat to resume her nap.

“What’s up?” Lori asked.

“Nothing much. Just sitting with my prize quilt and thinking.”

“Playing the ‘what if’ game again?”

Anna’s brow wrinkled. How did you know?

Lori laughed. “Listen, there’s a one-woman play downtown tonight about the joys and pains of motherhood. It’s supposed to be hilarious. Want to go?”

Anna shook her head, no, though no one was there to see. “Could be depressing.”

“No way! It’s supposed to be comedic drama. Listen, Gerry's out of town. Come on. What do you say?”

Anna tilted her head and pressed the phone closer to her ear. Her heartbeat quickened acknowledging her secret. “I can’t tonight. Maybe another time?”

Anna paced back and forth beside the kitchen counter. Why do I feel guilty for not inviting her? She might want to know the key to happiness, too. She paused. Wait. What am I thinking? Lori could teach the seminar. She is a walking advertisement for happiness.

Lori said she understood. She’d see her another time. Quite unlike her normal self, she didn’t press Anna about her plans which helped calm Anna’s heart.

Anna organized piles that were out of place, ran the dishwasher, and browsed through the latest issue of House Beautiful before deciding to run to the post office for stamps. She hoped to have Cassie’s graduation invitations in the mail by the end of the week.

She and Lori had decided to keep the decorations simple to minimize time and cost. Fresh flowers in baskets would be centerpieces. Balloons and streamers would float from trees and the backs of chairs.

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