Free Joy Argento - Carrie and Hope by Joy Argento Page B

kinks from sitting in the same position for so long.
    She had liked Hope before, but she liked her even better now. Reading the words that Hope had written made Carrie feel liked she had seen a glimpse into Hope’s soul, a soul that was full of love and kindness and at the same time full of want and a life unfulfilled.
    Carrie made her way to the bedroom. She stripped out of her clothes and slipped on an old long sleeve tee shirt that she used as pajamas. She fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Her night was filled with dreams of Hope, dreams that faded into tiny sliver-like memories when she woke up the next morning.

     

     

     

Chapter 9
     
    “I finished reading your work. I really, really like your writing,” Carrie said as she and Hope walked on the canal. It had been a little more than a week since they had gone out to dinner and the movies. Since then, they had spent several evenings talking on the phone, their conversations often moving from serious, personal topics to light, humorous ones that sent them both into fits of laughter.
    It was during one of these conversations that Hope suggested a walk along the path of the Erie Canal. They were hoping for a bright sunny day to help cut the chill in the air, and that was exactly what they got on Saturday.
    There were few other people on the trail. In the summer it would be full of people walking, jogging or riding their bikes. Most people found it much more appealing in the warmer weather.
    “Thank you,” Hope said. “I have never let anyone read my writing before.”
    Carrie’s voice betrayed her surprise, “No one?”
    “No. I guess my writing has been like a private piece of me that I kept for myself,” Hope said.
    Carrie stopped walking. Hope took another two steps before realizing she was walking alone and stopped. She turned back toward Carrie. Carrie just looked at her.
    “What?” Hope asked.
    “You never showed them to anyone, ever? But you let me read them? Wow. I am truly honored.” She took a step closer to Hope and touched her arm. “How come you showed them to me?”
    Hope shrugged her shoulders. She couldn’t quite put into words how close she felt to Carrie and why she had let her read what no one else even knew existed. “I guess because I trust you.” She looked up at the deep blue sky and tried to find the right words to explain. “I knew they would be safe in your hands,” she said looking back at Carrie. “I feel like my heart is in those pages. I…” Hope stammered. “I kept my heart in that box in the closet along with my notebooks. Maybe I thought it was time to let it out. I trusted that you wouldn’t read my words and think I was a fool.”
    “Thank you for that. I would never think you’re a fool. You are a wonderful person and an excellent writer and I think you should try to get your work published.” They began to walk again.
    “I’m not sure about that,” Hope said.
    “Why? Because it’s so personal?”
    “No, because I’m not sure it’s good enough.”
    Carrie reached out and touched Hope’s arm again. “Believe me, it’s more than good enough.”
    Hope liked the feel of Carrie touching her, even through the sleeve of her light winter jacket. But, the touch also brought a bit of fear with it. A fear that brought back a memory that Hope had long ago pushed aside. So, it was a feeling of regret and relief when Carrie removed her hand from Hope’s arm.
    They walked in comfortable silence for several minutes. They were two people enjoying each other’s company without the need for constant talk.
    “Would you like to read more of my writing?” Hope asked as they got to a paved section of the trail. The area ahead was the backdrop for several restaurants and specialty shops.
    “I would love to. I really would.” Carrie grabbed Hope’s hand and led her off the trail towards one of the small buildings. “Come on,” she said. “I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.” They walked