Dreams and Happy Endings
October 28, 2017 wasn’t a notable day in many respects. On this sunny Saturday morning in the Year of the Rooster, gas was averaging $2.41 cents a gallon, the Houston Astros were celebrating a win over the LA Dodgers in Game Three of the World Series, and White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was quoted, about the sexual harassment claims against President Trump, as saying, “All of these women are lying.” I wasn’t focused on the news that morning. I was focused on the yardwork. Taking advantage of the warm fall day, Paul and I went out to the backyard to do a little weeding. Our dog, Tatum, loved to sit on the wooden stoop and watch. His black hair rippled slightly in the wind, creating a stark contrast to our bright red door. Paul nodded in his direction. “That is one good looking dog,” he said with a laugh. I pulled my phone out of my jeans pocket and snapped a picture. On October 28, 2017, we were still getting used to our quieter Saturdays. Jack was gone—off to college