My brain had short circuited. I clutched my head and tried to figure out which problem to tackle next. Just then, Peter peeked around the door. “Can I do anything to help?” he asked.
My pitiful smile didn’t reach my eyes. “Could you give me some peace of mind?” I asked. “That would help.”
He chuckled. “You want a piece of my mind?” he said.
The tears that had threatened dried up. Just that brief exchange lightened my mood.
Photos: Sailing to Alaska (2006)
2016 National Society of Newspaper Columnists’ contest finalist.