Amy has had it rough over the past 3 years. After 18 years of marriage, her husband flew to Hong Kong on a business trip and never returned. Now, suddenly, he’s appeared, in a local pharmacy of all places, after all this time. What can he possibly be doing here? And what can she say to him? Does she want him back after all he’s done? Or not done, as the case may be? And what about the kids? His proposal of giving her a week away from them while he tries to reconnect with the kids at first glance is outrageous, but gradually, the idea grows on her. It just happens to coincide with a conference she’s been interested in attending in NYC, where her oldest, bestie happens to live. Could she actually do this? Could she leave her kids who she’s been sole caretaker for a whole week? Give herself this tiny gift?
I present you here with another perfect summer read – light, with just enough substance so you don’t have to feel too guilty spending your time in the sun leafing – and laughing- through these pages. And while there are a few emotional moments, there are a couple of moments where the giggles will slip out from you, in spite of yourself.
Amy’s adventure in NYC exemplifies the wish of many moms: Just a brief escape from the constant pressure of bearing responsibility for everyone else’s happiness. And it’s not that we don’t adore our loved ones – of course not! But caring for them, while of course working to earn money to support them, ensuring they have balanced meals, clean (and acceptable) clothes, and are kept safe — well, it’s a constant drumroll in the back of one’s mind that can build into a crescendo that becomes explosive unless one can let off steam every once in awhile. If one is not given a break, one can actually break.
It is also a lesson in how to ask for help. We, none of us, can live our lives without others. Man is not an island, as we know, and it is not a sign of weakness, but rather of humanity, that we need help from time to time. Asking advice, support, even an extra hand, not only helps the one asking but also gifts the one helping the opportunity to help, which is always, truly, a gift.
This is a very sweet story that is fun to read and gives you a chance to relax yourself. Give yourself this gift!
kindread spirits 