Short Story-A Writing Surprise-Day 3

Thanks so much for joining us this week to read my birthday gift to you, a short story. If you need to catch up, the first day is here and yesterday is here. Have fun!

Rachel pushed through the garage door, arms full of plastic bags. Chris’s voice carried from the direction of his office—must be on a phone call. Of course. And Maddie was nowhere to be found. Looked like two more trips to the car for her.
She set the last bags on the counter and started putting things away. There should be enough time to throw Benjamin’s stinky things in the wash before she left this afternoon. Assuming he came home right after practice.
“What’s that?” Maddie appeared at Rachel’s elbow as she unbagged several frozen meals.
“Food that’s easy for you guys to fix while I’m gone. I meant to make a few things in advance, but then I got busy with a new story idea and the next thing I knew, I was out of time.” Rachel stuffed the pasta and veggie dish into the freezer. “At least this way I know you’ll eat something besides pizza or burgers.”
“What’s wrong with pizza and burgers?” Maddie opened a pack of cookies and stuffed one in her mouth.
“Besides all the carbs and fat?” Rachel snatched the package away and stashed it in the top of the pantry before her daughter could eat another. “Nothing. But veggies are better for you.”
“You act like you’re going to be gone forever.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “It’s only a weekend.”

​“My job is to take care of my family. So, it’s hard for me to be away from you even for only a weekend.” Rachel gathered up the plastic bags and threw them in the recycle bin.
“I thought your job was to be a writer now.” Maddie flipped her hair over her shoulder. “That’s why you’re skipping your anniversary, right?”
Rachel’s heart twinged. “I’m not skipping my anniversary. We just aren’t doing anything big this year because the retreat happened to be on the same day.”
Chris was okay with that, wasn’t he? He’d encouraged her to go, assuring her they could do something to celebrate another time. Probably not the cruise they’d always planned for, because they were both too busy. But maybe a weekend away. A bed and breakfast somewhere?
Rachel penned a note about what was available for snacks and meals, glanced at the clock, and sighed. So much for washing Benjamin’s clothes. He must have found friends to hang out with.
She gathered up the last few things and moved her bags to the door so she’d be ready. The map and schedule were printed, her shoes waiting, and nothing left to do but go.
Chris was still working away, seemingly oblivious to her presence in the house. This was the joy of having a husband who sometimes worked from home. He was there, but he wasn’t.
She made grilled cheese for her and Maddie, complete with salsa for dipping. And then, it was time. Her first writers’ retreat. Moths flitted about in her tummy. What other authors would she rub elbows with that evening? Would they be just like anyone else? Supportive? Condescending?
“You’re already leaving?” Chris stepped out as she moved toward the door.
“Yes. I’m supposed to pick up another writer on the way. I want to give myself plenty of time, in case I get lost.” She twirled the keys around her fingers.
“Be careful.” He pressed a kiss to her lips that left her once again wondering if this had been the right decision. When was the last time they’d even gone on a date? “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Too late now. Kathy was waiting a couple hours away and then they had another half an hour past that to get to the state park. Time to go face her future.

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Two more days until we see how the story ends. What do you think will happen?
Be sure to stop by tomorrow to read more!