A Year of Second Chances
One wish list, a whole new future!When Scarlett comes across a box containing her most precious items from her teenage years, she’s forced to confront the adult she has become. As a divorced mother of two twentysomethings, Scarlett has to admit her life has ground to a halt! Whatever happened to that girl whose hopes and dreams were so naively displayed in a wish list for her life?So, armed with the list, Scarlett sets about checking off each and every item possible, determined to fulfil her promises to her younger self. Some are easy. Dancing in the rain? Bring on the next thunderstorm! Marrying her high-school sweetheart? Not so easy when married Jake lives clear across the country!But what started out as a challenge to herself quickly takes on a life of its own, catapulting Scarlett out of her slump and into a life even her younger self could never have dreamed of!What readers are saying about A Year of Second Chances‘A lovely, heart-warming story about second chances.’ – For the Love of Books‘This story is full of hope and love, and eventual peace. It is one to remember for a long time to come.’ – Jennifer (Goodreads)'Be warned, this is a tale about choices, bereavement and relationships. This book may cause a few tears to fall…' – Cleopatra Loves Books'A story which drew me in immediately. I wanted to know where both of the stories were going, and I read this in one sitting.' – Fiona's Book Reviews‘A solid, moving, entertaining read that also makes you think about the choices we make in life and the “what-ifs”.’ – Melindam (Goodreads)
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One wish list, a whole new future!
When Scarlett comes across a box containing her most precious items from her teenage years, she’s forced to confront the adult she has become. As a divorced mother of two twentysomethings, Scarlett has to admit her life has ground to a halt! Whatever happened to that girl whose hopes and dreams were so naively displayed in a wish list for her life?
So, armed with the list, Scarlett sets about checking off each and every item possible, determined to fulfil her promises to her younger self. Some are easy. Dancing in the rain? Bring on the next thunderstorm! Marrying her high-school sweetheart? Not so easy when married Jake lives clear across the country!
But what started out as a challenge to herself quickly takes on a life of its own, catapulting Scarlett out of her slump and into a life even her younger self could never have dreamed of!
A Year of Second Chances
Buffy Andrews
ONE PLACE. MANY STORIES
Contents
BUFFY ANDREWS
lives in south central Pennsylvania with her husband, Tom, and wheaten cairn terrier, Kakita.
By day, she works for USA Today Network as its Regional Engagement Manager for the Northeast.
By night, she writes middle-grade, young adult and women's fiction.
Some of her fiction ideas pop into her head at the most inopportune times, such as during a sermon or in the shower or when she’s supposed to be listening in a meeting. She’s written all over church bulletins, jumped out of the shower more than once to write down an idea and turned meeting handouts into storyboards.
If you see her out and about, don’t be surprised if you see her pull out the notebook she keeps in her purse. She’s forever taking notes she’ll use later. After all, life is full of wonderful details to capture.
I thank God for walking with me each and every day, for giving me the strength and courage to push forward despite whatever obstacles I might face.
I thank my husband, Tom, and sons, Zach and Micah, for their endless support and encouragement. I love you guys more than you’ll ever know.
I thank my friends and family who have cheered me on and have always been there when I needed an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on or arms for a warm hug. I love you all so very much!
Lastly, I thank my editor Victoria Oundjian who has pushed and challenged me to make this book the best it could be. Thank you for your unwavering support and for helping to bring this book to the world.
Blessings to each and every one of you, Buffy
To Tom,
The love of my life
I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to die, that the radiologist simply wanted to double-check my right breast to make sure it was as benign as the left. Nothing more than a big ball of size 36C fat. But the C word kept popping up like that irritating “unexpected item in the bagging area” message I always seem to get after scanning every third item at self-checkout.
I called Shonna on my way to the imaging center. I’d already talked to my bestie the night before and she’d calmed me down, but I needed her reassurance again.
“I think I’m going to die,” I blurted into the phone.
I could hear Shonna turn on the faucet.
“Are you listening to me? I said I think I’m going to die.”
“Now stop it. We talked about this last night. Don’t jump to conclusions. Even if they find something it doesn’t mean you’ll die. They probably just saw something suspicious and want to take a closer look. I’ve had other friends who’ve had mammogram callbacks and they turned out to be nothing.”
“But what if it’s something?” I pushed.
“Then we’ll deal with it, but remember, ninety-nine percent of the things we worry about never happen.”
“I know you’re right but I can’t help thinking the worst. I’ve never received a callback before.”
“Deep breaths, Scarlett. One step at a time. For now they simply want to get a closer look.”
By the time I arrived at the imaging center, my heart felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. I tried to calm myself by taking deep breaths. My anxiety was surely even greater because my boss’s mother had had breast cancer and died, so of course that’s all I could think about.
The imaging center was busier than during my previous visit but I found a seat in the back facing the wall. I didn’t feel like exchanging small pleasantries with anyone. I just wanted to get the scanning over with and find out if I had the big C. Would I divide my life BC/AC, Before Cancer/After Cancer, I wondered.
