Emily: I’m here!
I grab the bag of samosas from the coffee table and walk down the hallway to the main sitting area of the café.
Even with the expansion, there aren’t any empty seats. Picnic & Treats is one of the hottest spots in town, even more so with the new programs I now offer…including a monthly book club meeting for spicy romances.
Despite my crushing realization about Garrett, I can’t keep the grin from my face at seeing what I’ve accomplished. Picnic & Treats and the work I’m starting to do with the small-business association…those are my crowning glories.
Too bad my crowning glories can’t give me orgasms.
Or kiss me the way Garrett can.
No man can kiss me the way he can.
“Text me if you need anything,” I tell Anastasia, who’s working behind the front counter.
Then I join Emily standing near the main entrance. She’s wearing a yellow sundress covered with daisies and is carrying a picnic basket. A bright smile shines on her face.
Emily is a perpetually sunny day, happy to share her warmth with everyone.After receiving Garrett’s latest text, I’m more than delighted to absorb that warmth. To bask in its glow.
We stroll along the sidewalk to the local park and find an empty bench overlooking the pond to sit on. The sweet scent of freshly mowed grass and the lazy last days of July ease my lingering stress.
Emily’s phone rings, and she checks the screen. “Sorry, I have to get this. It will only take a second.”
I nod and flash her a reassuring, I’m-good-with-that smile. I inhale deeply and repeat several times in my head my daily mantra:I choose to remain positive so my body can heal.
Chronic pain is often linked to depression, and pain and depression can become a vicious circle. The more intense the pain, the worse the symptoms of depression. The worse the symptoms of depression, the more intense the pain…
It’s a cycle I’ve been working hard at not getting caught up in, which isn’t always easy to do.
I open the photo app on my phone and visit the positivity visionboard I created last weekend. The uplifting photos and quotes make me smile and remind me that I’ve got this.
Sure, the vision board won’t cure my chronic pain, but there is something to having a positive mindset. The creation of vision boards is just one more thing in my arsenal to help manage the pain. The added bonus is that it is side-effect free.
I slip my phone in my purse as Emily ends her call. “Did Melody and Hunter figure out what they want for their rehearsal dinner?”
“They did. They sent it to me just as I was walking out the door. I’ll forward it to you once I get back to the office.”
“Thanks.” I open the bag of samosas sitting next to me and offer one to Emily. “I don’t know how you do it all. Working for Kellan and running your own business.” Especially at this time of year, when she’s dealing with more weddings than normal.
“Ha. As if you aren’t super busy with everything you’ve piled on your plate.”
I shrug half-heartedly. “Touché. But I am doing a better job with balancing everything, now that I know about the spondyloarthritis and how to manage it better. Lord knows what might have happened if I hadn’t been properly diagnosed.” The uveitis was bad enough. I’d rather avoid the condition worsening and have other painful and annoying symptoms dumped on me.
We talk for a few minutes about the upcoming small weddings I’m catering and she’s coordinating.
“Have you seen Kylie and Zoe lately?” Emily asks once we’ve finished the business talk.
“I did. The other day. They’re doing well, all things considered.” I eye her suspiciously. Emily is vibrating with excitement. More excitement than expected, even for Em. “What’s going on? Why are you so happy?”
“I’m always happy.”
“Uh-huh. But right now, you’re like supersized happy. So, what gives?”
“I’m just happy for Simone and Lucas. Especially now that they’re starting a family.”
“You mean…because they became foster parents?” I pop what’s left of my samosa into my mouth.
Emily chews on her lip. It’s her deliberation expression. Her weighing-the-pros-and-cons face. Whatever she’s dying to tell me, it’s big. “No. Because they’re planning to adopt Kylie and Zoe.”
