Page 55 of Chasin' Cole

Speaking of wind, I'm going to need snacks for the ride home. Nothin's worse than tryin' to buy snacks at a gas station when you're afraid you're goin' to fly away. I'm sure Kansas doesn't have too much wind, but I'd prefer to stock up here. You never know.

As I head inside the gas station, I hold the door open for a woman with three toddlers in tow. She thanks me as she compliments my turquoise cowboy boots.

"Those are gorgeous boots," she beams.

"Thanks," I tell her. "I bought 'em a few years ago. Haven't had a chance to wear them. Until now."

"Why now?" she tilts her head curiously to the side. Her three kids cling to her legs as she smiles.

"Well," I begin, noticin' there's somethin' warm about the way she looks at me. "It's sort of a long story."

"The best ones are," she winks at me.

"I, uh, had a broken heart. And instead of wallowin' in self-pity, I decided to take a road trip."

"A road trip?" her blue eyes widen. "That sounds like fun. I never thought to take myself on a road trip to get over a broken heart. More people should do that."

"He left me," I exhale heavily, tryin' to figure out why I'm spillin' my guts to a stranger. "He had work and...and we broke up before he left. I don't think I've really recovered."

"Oh," she gives me a sympathetic frown, "I know a thing or two about being broken-hearted."

"Hard to believe with these three," I smile down at her kids. Two boys and a little girl. All of them dark haired.

"Ugh," she clears her throat, "their daddy broke my heart.No, shredded it to pieces. The man left me and hid a note in a sweatshirt hoping I might find it. And I found it alright. It made everything so much worse."

"I'm so sorry," I furrow my brow.

"No," she waves off, "we got back together after I forgave himfive years later. These three popped out shortly after."

"Five years later?" I raise an eyebrow. That's a long time.

"Yeah," she smiles sadly. "They were hard years, but I think they were good for me, too. Sometimes, we underestimate the darkness. We think the only way to learn, or grow is in the light. But there are plants and animals that still thrive in the dark. I don't think we're much different. Sun or rain or starry night, we're still going to grow."

I swallow hard. "That was...uh...thank you for that."

"I always joke I'm going to write an inspirational book one day," she laughs.

"I hope you do," I tell her.

"We won't keep you," she grins. "Enjoy that road trip of yours. If it's any consolation, you'll end up where you're meant to be. We all do."

"Thanks," I nod. "What's your name by the way? In case you decide to write that book?"

"Jenny Thompson," she answers.

I watch Jenny walk towards the candy section, disappearin' as she kneels to help her kids pick out a chocolate bar.

I grab a bag of chips, a bottle of water and a Dr. Pepper. After I pay, I make my way back to the truck and pump the gas. When I finally hop in the driver's seat, I feel the first tear formin' in the corner of my eye. I don't know why I'm suddenly feelin' so emotional. It's not like I haven't been drivin' in a car, sittin' alone with myself for the past 21 days. I had all the time in the world to cry. I don't wnat to start now. I need...I need to start feelin' something other than emptiness.

I need to feelanythin' other than emptiness.

But I don't want to feel sad. Sad is...I've been sad. I want to feel something else.

It's just...that Jenny lady, she said somethin' that really stuck with me.

Sometimes, we underestimate the darkness. We think the only way to learn, or grow is in the light. But there are plants and animals that still thrive in the dark. I don't think we're much different. Sun or rain or starry night, we're still going to grow.

I kind of feel like I've been livin' in a dark rain cloud for some time. It's dark and stormy and cold. But I'm still here. I'm still tryin' new things, pushin' myself to do somethin' for myself for once.

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