Later that morning, after I had had time to clean up and figure out the chair a little more, we sat in the kitchen with coffee and toast.
Terry kept glancing at me as if he still wasn’t sure how I felt about everything.
“I’ll take it.”
“I have a dinner booking for us at your favorite restaurant,” Terry revealed quietly.
I wiped away more tears, saying, “You truly spoil me.”
I reached for my phone; an idea formed while Terry fiddled with his own.
I smiled to myself as I searched.
Fate must have been on my side because it didn’t take long to find something better than what I was looking for.
And when I did, I booked it before I could second-guess myself.
An idea formed.
***
By early afternoon, I was ready.
“Wanna go for a drive?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
Terry looked up from the counter. “Right now?”
“Yeah. My car. My rules.”
He grinned. “I like the sound of that.”
***
Getting into the car took a little time. The lift worked smoothly, and with Terry guiding me through it, I managed without too much trouble. Once I was in and settled, I managed the modified controls without much trouble.
“I like the sound of that.”
The engine started, and as I eased the car out of the driveway, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Control and freedom.
***
We drove for about 20 minutes before Terry started becoming curious.
He glanced at me. “You going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Not yet.”
A few minutes later, I pulled into the parking area near the park.
Terry started becoming curious.
My husband looked around, confused.
“Okay… now I’m lost. Why are we stopping here?”
“You’ll see.”
Terry helped me out of the car and into my new wheelchair. Then we made our way toward a fenced-off section where a small crowd had gathered. People sat on blankets, chatting quietly as a group of musicians set up on a low stage.
At the entrance, a staff member stepped forward.
“Tickets?”
I handed over my phone.
“Okay… now I’m lost.”
They scanned it and waved us through.
Terry was still looking around, trying to piece it together.
Then he saw the stage and stopped walking.
“No way,” he said under his breath.
I smiled.
Onstage, the band was finishing its setup.
It was his favorite band, the one he had played a hundred times over the years.
“You didn’t…” he started.
“I did.”
Then he saw the stage.
Terry turned to me, eyes wide, then back to the stage as if he needed to confirm it was real.
“They’re playing here? Today?!”
“Anniversary surprise! Figured I owed you one.”
He let out a laugh, shaking his head.
“You’re unbelievable!”
I leaned back in my chair, watching him as the music started.
For the first time in a long time, the weight I had been carrying felt lighter.
Not gone, but shared.
“You’re unbelievable!”
And as Terry reached for my hand, squeezing it tight, I realized something simple.
I hadn’t lost everything.
Not even close.
