Read To All The Things Left Unsaid :: Chapter 8

"The Joy List - Official:

1."

I swear the gears in my brain are working backwards. Ever since I got home from dinner with Charlotte, I wanted to get some paper and start developing this list because I figured the sooner I started, the easier it would be to come up with things. This can only work though if I think of anything, which I can't.

Part of the problem is that Charlotte said it should be things I've never done before. The idea of trying new things is both exciting and joy-producing. I understand Charlotte's methods, but there is not a single thing I can think of. I keep coming back to things I've done before. I've gone hiking, I've done knitting, I've tried baking, I've done volunteer work. I even tried learning how to play the piano!

I find it much easier trying to imagine things I can do with other people that I've never done before as opposed to things I want to try on my own.

The idea of a picnic in the park sparks in my mind.

1. Have a picnic in the park.

But what else could I do? Well, what about going roller skating at a skatepark? What about learning archery? What about taking a pottery class? What about writing short stories in a cafe then sharing them with each other? What about dancing in the rain? What about driving around at two in the morning just because? What about going flower picking? What about sitting in the box seats for the symphony? What about for a musical? What about making a scrapbook? What about making an outfit yourself? What about camping under the stars? What about riding a horse? What about a board game night? What about going to a ball?

Soon, my joy list is bursting with ideas.

1. Have a picnic in the park.

2. Rolling skating at a skatepark.

3. Writing in a cafe.

4. Watch the clouds.

5. Dance in the rain.

6. Driving nowhere late at night/in the early morning.

7. Go flower picking.

8. Camp under the stars.

9. Play board games all night long.

10. Make a scrapbook.

The list continued on and on. There was so much more I thought about doing and putting on the list, but I decided that I should start with the ten, especially since these should become a part of my daily life. Although, dancing in the rain might become less of a habit and more of a once in a blue moon. This could be said about a few of them, but no matter! I have created my list, and I can do all of these things by myself or with others!

Of course, I would want to do these things with Charlotte, but I thought about other people I could include in this pursuit of joy. Mom and dad would love to do some of these things with me. If I befriend Marie, we could try one of these activities together! I could befriend people at "Dough Re Mi" too, and we could try these out!

I'm sure this will work out great. No matter who it's with, I will bring joy into my everyday life. Joy will be overflowing out of me that other people will want a taste of what I have.

* * *

The sun streams in, signaling to me it is time to wake up. I gently get up and notice my joy list on the nightstand. A burst of energy rushes me through as I skip through my apartment in the pursuit of breakfast.

Breakfast is quick and getting changed is quicker. Jeans, t-shirt, sneakers. Add little hoops and a ponytail, and I am ready!

The plan for today is to go to the library, drop off one of the books I finished and browse the mystery section for something that'll keep me turning each page. Afterwards, I'll grab some coffee from the cafe then I'll make a stop at "Dough Re Mi", so I can talk to Sophie and Terry about the plan for their grand opening and what expectations they have for the social media during this time. I doubt it will take a long time, but if it does, I'll just come home and have dinner then read for a while. However, if it is short, I think I'll go to the park and watch the clouds (number 4 - check), and I could try reading there too! Then of course, home and dinner then whatever else.

I'm already well on my way as I drive to the library, watching the quiet main street start its day.

Pulling into my designated parking space, I grab my tote bag full of books and head inside.

The drop-off bin awaits me as I return one of my books, but I am instantly on the prowl for a new book to fill its space. I make my way towards the mystery section as I pass by the section with "I Left My Heart Here." I meander over towards the books, hoping to find the copy I read neatly shelved. My eyes capture the book, and I smile as I hope to find the note still inside.

Perfectly tucked inside the book, right next to chapter 1 is my note. I read it over and over as I carefully stash it away.

"Did you write that note?" A scream escapes me as I quickly cover my mouth but not before noticing a young man cautiously approaching me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Are you Lucy, the one who wrote the note?"

I hesitate to respond as I take in this stranger. He's quite tall even compared to my generous 5'9 ft (176 cm) stature. If I had to guess, he may be 6'3 ft (195 cm). His hair is curly, and it barely touches his shoulders. Also, he is blonde. Not like you were blonde when you were three, but you still say you're blonde. No, he is in fact blonde.

He has a nice build, where he has noticeably broad shoulders and big biceps. His t-shirt and jeans hide his torso and legs, but I imagine they fit with his body. On looks alone - 10/10. But I can't ignore his library lanyard that lets everyone know he works here, and he likes raccoons - 20/10.

However, there are also his brown eyes that are paired with a slight frown. This is an attractive man right in front of me.

"Yes, I'm the one who wrote the note. Did you read the book? Did it fall out? Or?"

"Oh, I was shelving the book when it slipped out as I was putting it away. I read the note, and it was nice. I wanted to find out who this mysterious Lucy was, and here you are," his frown is replaced with a tiny smile as he gestures to me as the secret writer of the note.

"I'm really glad you liked the note, and I hope other people like it too! I wondered if someone would read it and keep it, but you're keeping it going." A smile breaks across my face, yet looking at his face, his spells hesitancy. And also embarrassment?

"This is a weird thing to ask you since we just met, and I read the note, but I want to get to know you if that's okay. Would you want to get coffee?"

His question hangs in the air as I'm hit with whiplash.

Get coffee like get coffee? Or get coffee like get coffee? Is this just some platonic thing? Why does he want to get to know me? Is it because of what I said in the note? I didn't say much about myself. I just wanted to spread some joy around. I didn't expect I would actually meet the people who read the note?

Is it that big of a deal? People get coffee together, it's not some marriage proposal. It's just... coffee.

He shifts around on his feet as I suddenly realize I haven't said anything yet, and I'm probably staring at him like he asked me what subatomic particles are and what they do.

"Yes! Yes, yes, we can totally get coffee. That would be..." the words lose their traction as Marie comes into my vision. She immediately runs over like a kid in a candy store.

"Oh my gosh! Here are my two favorite people! Tommy and Lucy! What are you guys doing? Are you getting to know each other? Is this the first time you've met? There are obviously more people than just me at the library, and Tommy is great! We've kept him here for nearly 6 months, I think! Didn't you join in December," Marie looks as happy as ever, and Thomas looks like he would prefer to be killed on the spot as he unenthusiastically answers her questions. The sight alone makes me laugh as they both go silent and stare at me.

"Uh... is there something on my face?"

Marie reassures me that no, there is nothing on my face, but she is hinting, in a very painfully obvious way, that she wants to know what we were talking about. I don't really want to mention the note, so I just tell her about coffee.

Marie lets out a gigantic gasp as she stares between the two of us as she suddenly gets closer to Thomas.

"Tommy, don't tell me you've already fallen in love with Lucy! It's way too early for that, and I won't stand for that," she asserts while crossing her arms and shaking her hands like a mother scolding a child that they, in fact, will have to finish eating their vegetables.

A small blush rises to his cheeks as he states, "I'm not in love with her, Marie. I just want to get to know her. Plus, isn't she that Lucy that you said you met and immediately wanted to befriend?"

A blush rises on Marie's cheeks as she swats at Thomas quite aggressively I might add.

"Oh, hush hush! Well, why don't you get your coffee now? I'll cover you... for now," Marie says suspiciously while Thomas looks over at me with a straight face.

"Well, how about it? Want to get coffee?"