Beth's Sabbatical

The following is a fictional story I wrote for the GBE writing prompt.  We were asked to spin a tale about what Beth is really doing on her month's sabbatical.  I hope you enjoy my spin on the topic.

     With a sigh Beth logged off and shut down her computer.  She smiled as she carefully shut her laptop and placed it inside it's bag.  Her computer was the last thing she needed to pack.  Her husband gently placed his hand on her shoulder.  She looked up into his eyes at his touch.  "Are you ready?" he asked.  Beth smiled, nodded, and grabbed the bag holding her computer and followed her husband out of the empty house to her new life.  Yes, she was ready.  It’s now or never!  She had told next to no one her plans.  She only hinted she was going on a road trip with no particular destination in mind.   Several phone calls, emails, another road trip a while back, and everything had fallen in place as if it all was meant to be.  It was her fate and she was ready to grasp it with both hands.

     She had dreamed of this day coming, saved for it, and made countless plans never dreaming that it would really come.  She climbed into her car while her husband got into the U Haul and followed him out of the neighborhood she had spent the better share of her married life onto the ramp to the interstate that would lead to a new life, not just any new life, but her new life.  With a lump in her throat, Beth cranked the radio and sang along to all the tunes that came across the airways she knew.  She was happy beyond comprehension.

     After hours of travel the exit that led to her future beckoned.  She followed the U Haul driven by her husband off the exit, through the picturesque small town dotted with small, home town shops, a grocery, a post office, an old fashioned church complete with stained glass, steeple, and bells that rang at various times of the day and on special occasions, out of town into the country.  The sun was shining brightly in the sky and in Beth's heart.  She passed farm house after farm house, pastures, and barns.  Finally her husband eased the U Haul into a long driveway that winded and curved away from the road.  Beth followed marveling at the trees that provided a magical archway to drive under and the wild flowers that grew in reckless abandon on both sides.  Another turn revealed a bridge that crossed over a rambling brook and just beyond the piece of résistance, Beth's new home...the farm she had always dreamed of owning.

     She brought her car to a stop behind the U Haul and jumped out in eager anticipation to join her husband to gaze at their new piece of paradise on earth.  The afternoon sun glistened in the windows.  A wrap around porch graced the front of the house where Beth could imagine lining hanging baskets of blossoming flowers.  She and her husband would sit there in rockers waiting for her children and precious grandchildren to arrive for visits.  Here they would watch the sunset in the evenings and make the best memories having those wonderful talks and giggles only couples who have been married many years can enjoy.  At this front door she would welcome her children with open arms when they visited.

     She had taken a month away from the internet to settle into her new home and life.  A month to make this house into a home, unpack, plant flowers, and maybe acquire some cows and chickens to fill the big red barn out back and amuse the grandchildren.  She looked forward to getting her hands on those cow udders and squeezing until she heard the pitter patter of milk in her bucket.  She could hardly wait to gather eggs and feed the chickens she would have.  Tonight she would rest, but tomorrow the fun would begin.  She would begin unpacking, making this house into a home, and enjoying the first day of the rest of her life.  She imagined being able to recharge and rejuvenate from just about anything in this peaceful place.  Once her family joined her here in this remote paradise, her dream would be complete.

       That night Beth and her husband settled on the front porch on matching rockers and watched their first sunset and counted the stars that followed.  Unlike the big city they had come from, there were no traffic sounds or sirens, no noise save for the crickets, the breeze, the gurgling of the nearby brook and the creek of their rocking chairs as they rocked on the front porch.   Beth imagined the stories she could tell when the month was up and Word Nerd would speak to all her readers and online friends once again.  Wouldn't they be surprised to discover she was living her dream? In this place she would live out the rest of her days, celebrate holidays and everything that led her to this point.   Sometimes you just got to go after what you want in life. You can’t put it off one minute longer.  Another item crossed off the ole bucket list until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker's wife.