Amanda Johnson leads a comfortable life. She's married to a successful businessman and her daughter is grown and off blazing her own bright trail in the business world, leaving Amanda free to fill her days volunteering at the local charity thrift shop. It isn’t an exciting life but it's secure, and most days Amanda is content to accept the path that she has chosen.<br><br>But all of that changes one day when a woman walks in with a crate full of LP records to donate. As Amanda flips through the stack, there's one album in particular that drags her back to an alcohol-fueled senior year summer outing and a bonfire where she kissed a girl on a dare. She doesn't know it yet, but that very same girl is standing in front of her, all grown up now and peering into Amanda's eyes over a crate of vintage vinyl. <br><br>There's a flash of recognition and Amanda begins to wonder what her life would have been like if she had followed her heart instead of everyone's expectations. What if she had turned left instead of right, zigged instead of zagged? Would she be happier than she is now? And when given the chance to do it all again, will she have the courage to change her decision and follow her heart?

It's Been Such a Long Time

Everyone I know is being incredibly kind and supportive. The fridge and freezer have been stocked with enough casseroles and ready to heat meals that I probably won’t have to darken the door of a grocery store for another month. Even Katie made me a batch of minestrone soup that was nothing short of amazing.


I push aside a vase of flowers that arrived this afternoon so that I will have a space to eat. I find it slightly depressing that so many flowers have to die whenever a person passes. Though several people had the idea to send potted plants, which was nice. One of those people was Mari.


Mari. For the fifth time this week I look at the lily she sent and pick up the card that came with it. There is the usual expression of sympathy but also ‘If there’s anything I can do to help, just call,’ along with her phone number.


Chapter 10