Page 4 of Whisk Me Away

“I’ve got it, momma. You go sit down with your cup of coffee, I’ll finish breakfast.”

She begrudgingly took her mug of coffee and settled onto a stool across the island. That was mine and Eden’s favorite spot to be when my mom was cooking or baking in the kitchen. We would sit on the stools and chat about everything and nothing for hours. They were some of my best memories of my mom and I was just praying one day my kids would be able to experience those moments with her as well.

“How’d you sleep? Was it weird being back in your childhood room?” Mom asked with a chuckle.

“Not going to lie, it was a little creepy. I don’t know why you let me put those posters up on my wall. Who needs a life-size picture of random guys staring at you when you wake up,” I laughed giving her an exaggerated shudder.

“Oh, believe me, your dad was against it the whole time but some battles just aren’t worth fighting. One day you will learn that with your own little ones,” Mom sighed longingly.

If there was one complaint I had about my mom, it was her constant questioning about when I was going to settle down and find a nice man to marry and give her grandkids. Although, if that was the worst thing she did, I’d take it.

“One day,” I tossed back without making eye contact.

I took this time to plate the pancakes, eggs and bacon, sliding one in front of my mom and another in front of the empty seat to her right. Before sitting down I made myself a cup of coffee, thankful that mom was prepared with my favorite creamer.

“Okay, okay, I’ll back off. What are your plans for today?” Mom nudged me as I sat down next to her.

My mind involuntarily drifted to the encounter I had with the mystery man yesterday after church. A part of me felt guilty for taking his parking spot but I was already running late, and the pastor’s daughter can’t be late to church. Although no one necessarily placed those expectations on me other than myself. It was sometimes hard growing up as the pastor’s daughter, I often felt like everyone was watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake or do something amazing with my life. That was honestly part of why I had this burning desire to get away. To be my own person without the expectations of outsiders.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my church and the people. They were truly a blessing and they made life so much easier in so many ways and my parents had always been amazing. Sometimes the expectations we set for ourselves deeply impact how we believe others view us. We are all just doing our best to follow the way of Jesus.

“Hello? Earth to Karis?” Mom waved a hand in front of my face, drawing me out of my inner monologue.

“Sorry, got lost in my head for a bit,” I chuckled.

Mom gave me a warm, knowing smile. “Some things never change. Back to my original question, what are your plans for today?”

Right. What were my plans for today? I took a minute to gather my thoughts before I asked, “Is there anything you need before starting treatment tomorrow? I don’t have anything super pressing that can’t wait until later this week. I want to make sure you are set up and ready.”

“I’ve got everything that I need. Dad already set up a comfy recliner in the living room that I’ll be able to relax in and Sandra Landon already came by yesterday with a week’s worth of groceries,” Mom sighed.

Accepting help was not a strong suit of the Thompson family, but I was so glad my mom allowed people to step in and help when needed. We were going to need all the help we could get in order to make it through this. I took a shuddering breath, trying to calm my anxious heart.

Sometimes it didn’t feel real. You hear about people getting diagnosed with cancer all the time and it was so easy to get caught in the mindset that it could never happen to someone you love… until it does.

“Now, there will be none of that!” Mom chastised.

How she was able to read my inner thoughts had always been baffling. I guess its just the gift of being a mom.

“Well, if you don’t need anything from me today, I might go wander around town a bit. It’s been so long since I’ve been back for more than a few days at a time and I was curious if there’s anything new.”

“That is a lovely idea, sweetie. I’m sure not much has changed, but I know everyone would love to see you. Be sure to pop into the bookstore while you’re there—Mia is running it for her parents now.”

Mia Hanson was my childhood best friend. We met in the second grade and spent every free moment together. We were both on the high school cheer squad, took all the same AP classes, and even liked the same boys. Gosh I missed her. We kept in touch over the years, but it had been forever since I’d seen her in person.

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize she took over Hanson’s. That’s so exciting for her. I will be sure to stop by and see her. Thanks Mom. I’ll have my phone on me so if there is anything you need while I’m out just let me know. I love you!” I placed a kiss on her cheek before heading up the stairs to grab my coat and bag.

The prospect of seeing Mia sent a shot of excitement through my veins. I should have text her that I had moved home but with mom’s diagnosis my mind has been in other places. Maybe Mia will have the scoop on what’s been going on since I left, and maybe she could tell me who the grumpy, albeit handsome, guy was from church yesterday morning.

The town square sat right in the middle of town, marked by a large white gazebo and surrounded by a circular area of grass. It was one of my favorite places in town. Mia and I would grab books from Hanson’s and sit on the white wooded benches beneath the gazebo. We’d talk and read for hours. Life seemed so much simpler back then.

I crossed the street to where Hanson’s bookstore sat on the corner of Elm and Ashwood Ln. The window had the cutest fall display, which I guessed was Mia’s handiwork. The saying “Fall in love with reading” was written in script across the top of the window, while a handful of books stacked in a heart pattern sat on a cute, rustic looking table. There were fall leaves scattered across the middle sides of the window creating this perfect little sneak peek of the book display.

The jingle of the bell above the door, reminded me I was still standing in the middle of the sidewalk, unmoving. I scooted closer to the window to allow someone to pass before grabbing the door handle and stepping inside.

The smell of old books and fall scents enveloped me as I took in the small town bookstore, another one of my favorite places in Ashwood Falls. I’m sure you’re beginning to think I say that about all the places here and you might be right.

“Good morning, I’ll be right with you,” Mia’s voice drew my gaze toward the back of the store where I heard her stacking books. I couldn’t see her, so I wandered my way through the rows of book shelves until I found her pushing a cart along the back wall.

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