A big, cheerful and rather chilly happy Friday to y’all! I’m pleased to announce to you that today is not only a beautiful day, but it’s also the six week mark from when I finished the first draft of When Life Hands You Lymes and therefore I can now open the document, read through it and begin the second draft. This is a moment I’ve been waiting for for a long time now and I’m excited, a tad bit nervous and a little bit scared of what I’ll find.
And, while we’re talking about writing, I’m happy to share with you the 71st segment of my fictional story, When Life Hands You Lymes, which, I might add is rather different from the final version of the first draft. Confusing, right? 😉 Please enjoy!
8 I was antsy the entire six hour drive to the doctor’s office. It was May and the sun was shinning, the birds were singing and the sky was a deep blue with fluffy clouds. A typical, beautiful, perfect day. Weather-wise, at least. Mom was in a fantastic mood as she drove with her sunglasses in place and the AC on. I gnawed on the tips of my fingers, determined to try and remain at least somewhat calm.
“Why couldn’t the doctor just give us the results over the phone?” I mumbled for probably the hundredth time that day. It wasn’t that I minded the drive, it was just I wanted to have answers and I wanted answers yesterday. More like two years ago.
“Because she’s in a conspiracy to help you learn patience.” Mom wasn’t fazed by my wide eyes and jittery legs.
“Patience?” I feigned confusion. “I’m a world champion at patience.”
“So says the girl who can’t sit still.”
I sighed, “This is a big moment.”
“Every moment has the potential of being a big one.”
“Waxing eloquent?” I smiled. A rhyme I had memorized as a little kid popped into my mind and I said it out loud without thinking: “Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, both put together make a very pretty face.”
“You’ve got a pretty face so that means you must have patience hidden somewhere inside of you.” Mom looked over at me and grinned, “Why not put a little bit of it into practice before your fiddling drives us both nuts.”
My answer was drowned out by a long yawn. “Ok, I think I’ll curl up and take a nap.” I put my earbuds in and turned on my sleepy time classical playlist. Another yawn came and made my eyes water. Pulling my legs up under me I leaned back my chair, grabbed my blanket and pillow from the backseat and drifted off to dream land.
I awoke when the car stopped and then turned off. “Wait, are we here already?” My words came out groggily.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?” I peeled my legs off the seat and sat up then stretched my arms.
“I didn’t want to have to endure any more of your bouncing and finger chewing than necessary.” Mom softened her words with a smile. “I know that this is a big deal for you, it’s a big deal to me, too. I thought the longer you were able to sleep, the less time you’d have to spend dreading and anticipating what the doctor has to say.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I pulled down the mirror and combed my hair into place with my fingers. “Can we go in now?”
At Mom’s nod I climbed out of the car and together we went into the small office building.
Back in the examination room I bit on my lip and let my eyes wander around the room, taking everything in. “Is it just me or is the doctor taking a long time to come back and meet with us?” I asked Mom after it felt like a lifetime had slid by.
“It’s just you.” Mom looked up from the email she was typing on her phone. “Why don’t you read or something. Compose music in your brain or whatever will take your mind off of your current situation.”
I grinned. “Bugging you is actually accomplishing that pretty well.”
Mom started to retort, but the door opened and the doctor walked in.
“Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning.” I literally bit my tongue in an effort not to verbally pounce on her and ask for my results.
Mom put her hand out in a quiet gesture, reminding me to remain calm.
“How was your drive?”
“Good.” My word came out clipped.
“And how have you been feeling recently, Madalyn?”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “I’d actually be doing a lot better at this moment if I could just hear the results.”
Noveltea 