Free The Space Between by Nikki Mathis Thompson Page A

large turquoise stones. The rest of her was shielded underneath the hefty table. If there’d been a crystal ball on the table, Georgia wouldn’t have been surprised.  
    “What do you want?” the woman said gently, motioning for Georgia to sit in the seat across from her. Georgia’s arms tingled at the sound of the woman’s voice. It was warm and rich. It made her think of a soft blanket and a roaring fire. When Georgia stood there, speechless, the woman smiled and repeated the question.
    “What do you want?” she repeated. The question held a hint of an accent Georgia couldn’t place.
    “Uh, directions.”
    “That’s a good way of putting it. We all need direction in life.”
    “No, I mean, I need directions. Literally…I’m lost.”
    “Anyone can see that, my dear.”
    Georgia let out a frustrated sigh and gripped the strap of her purse. “Look, I need directions to the bakery that’s supposed to be on this street. I need to pick up cupcakes for my daughter’s birthday and get back home in time to pick up my kids.”  
    She didn’t mean for it to come out as firm as it did, but her patience was waning with every passing minute. She’d be damned if she was going to be swindled out of money for this lady to read her palm, or whatever she did back here. They probably lured lost travelers back here to fleece them of their hard earned dollars. Georgia held her purse close to her body on instinct.
    “Always running. Always for other people. What do you do for yourself?”
    Despite her previous thought, Georgia found herself sitting in the chair across from this woman, whose name was Gwen, according to the girl up front. The girl who was now nowhere in sight. She felt herself wanting to answer, which was a surprise. She didn’t divulge things to people, especially strangers. But what was really upsetting was that she had no answer to give. Her lips quivered a bit.
    Gwen tilted her head and waited.
    “I’m not sure about that one. I enjoy reading. Uh, I like volunteering at the church.”
    “Do you?”
    “Read? Yes. Volunteer? No, I guess not…Honestly, I’m not really sure.” She felt tears filling her eyes.  
    “It’s okay, Georgia. You’re not the only woman in history who puts home and family in front of her own needs, and you won’t be the last. It’s in a mother’s nature to take care of those she loves.” Gwen handed her a tissue and she took it gratefully. “The key is to add yourself to the list of loved ones.”
    As she wiped her eyes a thought came to her. “I never told you my name.”
      Her only reply was a warm smile. “What do you want?”  
    Georgia felt the words tumble forth without thought. “I would like to stop yearning for things that might have been, and just be grateful for the life I have. Be at peace with my life. Put the what if’s to bed for good.”
    “Ah, Georgia, if I could only bottle contentment, I would be a very rich woman indeed.” Gwen steepled her hands in front of her face. “And contentment should not be confused with acceptance. There’s a difference. The key is to find a way to let go.”  
    Georgia’s brows crunched. She supposed contentment was as good a word as any. In fact, it was kind of perfect—to lose the notion that she wasn’t where she was supposed to be, or doing the things she was supposed to be doing. To just be. It sounded wonderful. But how to let go? It was easy for Gwen to say, but saying and actually achieving were two different things.  
    “I wouldn’t trade my kids for the world, that’s not what I’m saying.”
    “Oh, I know, dear. A mother’s contentment, or lack there of, never lies with her children…it lies within.”  
    Georgia sniffed and the tears dried. “I don’t know what to do…and I don’t think playing tennis or joining a book club is gonna cut it.”
    Gwen laughed softly. “No, no, I don’t think so either, but it would help…No, I think your problem is doubt. You feel like your path