I think I've figured out a way how to blend an almost throw-away chapter and my epilogue. I almost finished it this morning. We'll see if it holds up.
It will be nice to get this one out the door (I hope I can still send it) and jump into something new. The something new I started on before, with my Peri character, will have to be revamped to fit in with the different mood I'm sure to be coming to the computer with.

Part of me would like to do something completely different. I just need to make sure I jump into something immediately. I suppose those will be my goals with this new life just around the corner: to get back into writing and soccer. I've put both of those things I loved in the background while going through these hard times. I appreciate the notes from people who encourage me to keep going. I need that more than I need someone to say to take some time off! I've grown up with sports and a true competitive spirit. If I let myself slack, I could end up on the bench. I was never a bench-warmer. I just have to keep telling myself that.

God, I had one of the most awful nights of my life not long ago. Long story short: I lost my car keys in the river. Plunk. One second in my pocket, the next, out they come (shallow pockets) and into the water they go. I didn't have my phone, my purse, or any money whatsoever. You can't call a cell phone collect, I found, and I hardly had anybody's phone numbers memorized. You quickly become a nobody without your money or a phone and I certainly wasn't going to wave down passing cars for help. A single woman alone at night? Sure. Ended up calling "pop a lock" and paying $70 for them to open my car. I could finally get to my phone! I had a spare key that Patrick drove down to me. I was SO CLOSE to breaking my car window.

I'm never putting keys in my pocket again.
And I'm getting spare keys today, I think.