The Sprit walks in yesterday and drops a note on the desk: "Come see me ASAP (take your time)" I finish up and wander down the hall. As I open the door, she says "Ok, let's go" I take in the bookbag, small cooler, the hat, and ask if I should change and bring a water bottle. Within 10 minutes we are heading down the highway, windows down and I am feeling free. I had no idea where we were going, but it did not matter. (I admit it was very, very hard not to ask, being the control freak that I am) Down the Grade, hit the beginning of town.
"Thats the road to Rich's house," she says.
"Yes, but can you get there once you turn on it?" I reply.
"Perhaps."
We continue on down the road. "We're going to Vons" she suddenly pipes up. Ok, I think, we're having bread and cheese for lunch. The required victuals are purchased and we go on. I still haven no idea where we are going to end up, and the curiosity is about ready to leap out of my mouth. So I calmly refrain from speaking, watching the houses and trees pass us by.
"Oh," she seems surprised "we're going to the beach."
How she can read my mind, and not know it, I will never fathom.
We drive up, find a parking space and pile out. The sand is hot under my bare feet. The salt spray, the sound of the sea gulls, the random yip of a dog, sing to me of freedom. We have 20 minutes to eat our lunch if we are to get back to school in time for classes, but we somehow make them stretch.
Sitting there, feeling the sun on my skin, the east wind running his fingers lightly through my hair, I could feel the tension of the week lifting from my shoulders, the tightness melting from my back.
As we drive back, I murmer "Thank you...I needed that so much"
"I thought you did. I don't know why, but I thought you did."

God is good.