Page 2 of The Lessons

He nodded. “I’m sorry, Natalie, I really am. You’re the first one I’ve told. Please don’t hate me.”

I sighed and slumped back against my seat. Of course I didn’t hate him. Josh and I… Well, he—he was my only friend. The one person I’d connected with during my three years at Columbia. He’d been the one who'd helped me through my mom’s cancer scare last year and the one who hadn’t let me give up on my Greek Literature class. As I looked up at my dining companion, I saw him for who he really was:

My best friend.

And my best friend looked scared.

I offered a small smile and held out my hand. “Don’t worry, Joshie. You aren’t getting rid of me that easily.”

Eight years later…

Natalie

“Better blow out those candles. That ice cream is gonna melt.”

I glanced over at Josh. We were seated at the front window of our favorite Chinese restaurant on the Lower East Side, and some fried ice cream hadmiraculouslyappeared at the end of the meal. I had a sneaking suspicion my best friend had something to do with it.

I blew out the candles and turned to him. “Three candles?”

“They couldn’t fit all thirty on a single scoop.” He smirked.

I sighed. Thirty. Nothing like a milestone birthday to make you take stock of things. And me? This birthday made me realize how ashamed I was, and how far my life had swung off course. The old Natalie Reese had goals and dreams and a plan that clearly mapped out her future. That is, until life had reared its ugly head. Now, all of a sudden, I was thirty. I couldn’t make any more excuses. It was time to get off my ass and get my life back on track.

Later that night, at home, I pulled out my journal. On the last page was a copy of The Plan.

Natalie Reese

Annual Life Goals Plan

Age 21. Boyfriend #1, Lose Virginity

Age 22. Graduate from college, Secure paying job

Age 24. Break up with Boyfriend #1, Enjoy 20-something life

Age 25. Promotion, Boyfriend #2

Age 26. Engagement

Age 27. Wedding

Age 28. Promotion

Age 29. Child #1

Ever since I’d been a teenager, The Plan had stayed more or less the same. If I got a new journal? I recopied it into the back. The Plan kept me focused, motivated—and calm, knowing that everything was going to work out if you gave it enough time. But now I had to face the facts: this plan had expired. I’d aged out of it and had almost nothing to show for myself.

I got out a big red pen. It was time to make some edits.

Chapter One

Three months later…

Natalie

New city. New job.

Fresh start.

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