Free The Long Way Home by Karen McQuestion Page A

a flagpole. A US flag topped the pole, with the Wisconsin state flag below, both waving in the breeze.
    “I was here with my daughter once,” Rita said. “The building was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright—prairie style. There’s a really nice deck in back that faces the Mississippi. You can’t see the river, but you get the sense it’s out there.” She sounded sad, but when she caught Jazzy’s eye she managed a small smile.
    When they exited the car, Rita turned back to lock the doors with her remote. Beep, beep . Laverne lagged behind the others as if she were moving through water. “Just go ahead of me,” she said to the others. “I know I’m slow.”
    Jazzy stayed by her side. “Don’t worry about it. There’s no hurry.” She accompanied Laverne inside and watched as she entered the ladies’ room on the left. Then Jazzy stopped to take a drink at the bubbler, sipping slowly before pausing to let the arc of water wet her lips. Cold and pure and refreshing, like spring water. She went back outside and lifted her face to the sun. Such a beautiful, sunny day. Just the sort of day one dreamt of when winter was at its worst.
    She meandered down to one of the covered picnic tables scattered behind the building and stopped to lean on one but didn’t sit down. It was nice in the shade. A thought suddenly came, telling her to walk down near the edge of the clearing, closer to the trees and the tall grass. Was it her own thought or something from outside her? It wasn’t always easy to tell. Either way, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do. Jazzy made her way down the incline. Now she was near a cluster of trees, a thicket of trees so deep that the area was nearly a woods, and the voice said, Close your eyes . She felt compelled to stretch her arms out wide and became fully aware of the rustling of the wind in the trees, the smell of exhaust wafting from the parking lot. She imagined herself linked to all that was around her. The air in her lungs, the energy in her limbs, the electricity in her brain, all connected to everything and everyone else in the universe. She took a deep breath, keeping her arms extended. She wanted to embrace the world.
    Stay still, the voice said. Be open to the possibilities .

Chapter Sixteen
     
    Rita was the first one out of the bathroom. She lingered at the display, glanced at the brochures in the rack, and took a sip of water at the bubbler before going outside to wait for the others. They’d only been on the road for a few hours, and she was already starting to doubt the wisdom of this trip. It had seemed like a good idea when Jazzy had broached the subject at the grief group. God knew Rita needed something to pull her out of her rut. Glenn had tried for years, bless him, with no success. They’d gone on trips, gotten a kitten, volunteered at a homeless shelter. Every step of the way she thought how much more fun it would be if Melinda were there.
    This trip was different, mostly because Glenn wasn’t with her and also because she’d met these women after Melinda died. She’d thought that maybe, just maybe, this would keep her mind off herself. And it was working, at least somewhat. Driving required concentration, and the other women were nice, so far. So why did she feel so alone?
    A woman pushing a baby in a stroller approached the glass door, and Rita opened it from the inside. The woman, who wore training sneakers, spandex shorts, and a tank top, had a decidedly athletic look. “Thanks so much,” she said brightly, guiding the stroller with one hand and taking a sip from a water bottle with the other. Rita nodded, and after the stroller cleared the door, she headed outside to wait for the others.
    To stretch her legs Rita strolled down the slight incline, away from the building, alongside the V-shaped deck in back. The sun warmed her face and she lifted her chin to get the full benefit of the rays before stopping by a covered picnic table.
    After a few moments, she