Page 40 of His Atonement
As I get about halfway through I realize the contents are nothing but lists.
Granny's Medications.
Granny's Doctors.
Granny's Daily Schedule.
Granny's Symptoms.
Nat Geo Spread Deadlines.
Itinerary for Allie's Visit.
There are countless lists, three to five per page, front and back and all dated, the oldest going back five years and they seem to follow a code.
A check mark sits next to what I'm assuming are verified or completed items based on content, anXnext to ones that must not have been completed or necessary, and hard pressed lines through certain items, which must mean something about the item or task frustrated her.
It's most curious and slightly fascinating, a peek into the way Frankie's mind works, the almost obsessive need for the organization the lists provide and soon I find myself completely engrossed in the notebook.
Funeral Arrangements.
Things to Do Before Moving.
People to Contact Before Ashland.
Then I stop as one list in particular holds my attention.
Francis Mae Masters Bucket List
With a subheading ofShit to Do Before I Die.
Achill wracks my body when I read those words, a most unwelcome chill that brings so much unease, so much dread and hurt it makes my stomach churn, but it does not prevent me from reading the list.
1. Make sure Allie is happy.
2. Dance in the rain.
3. Laugh more. (Cry less.)
4. Go skinny dipping at night.
5. Try archery.
6. Go horseback riding on the beach.
7. Learn to drive a stick shift.
8. Set up trust funds for Daisy and Lily.
9. Continue documenting everything.
10. Build something, anything.
11. No more vanilla sex. (Experiment, damnit!)
12. Try unusual foods.
13. Count the stars.
