For the rest of the week in Washington, Amy was a wreck. She couldn't decide if the chance meeting with Hank was a blessing or a curse. At one moment, she wanted to throw it all away, call him and run off somewhere together. The next moment she felt they could never go back to the way it was so it was a waste of time. She needed to talk to someone and Seth Williams, the chaperones, and the students were not the people to talk with.
Upon returning, Amy spent the weekend trying to decide what to do. She was always very logical but this time logic didn't help. She realized that she wasn't really happy with her life. Oh, she had a great daughter, a job where everyone liked and respected her but it was time for her to do what made her happy. After thinking it over, she came to a decision. She was going to contact Hank and see if there was any magic left.
When Amy arrived at school, she was greeted by a huge bouquet of flowers. Everyone was very curious about who they were from. Amy didn't want to tell but the word was already spreading about her meeting Hank so she didn't try to hide it.
There was also an email from Hank. It said that he wouldn't call unless she wanted him to. All she had to do was reply. Also he was inviting her to come to Washington for the weekend. The date was first weekend after school ended. When she came in that day she knew what she was going to do. Now when it came time for her to take the step, she had second thoughts.
The week was terrible. The students were pains. The teachers and even some parents kept asking questions. There were endless and meaningless meetings. She found it hard to concentrate on her classes. The principal called her in to ask what was going on and what about the missing two hours. By the time Amy got home Friday, she was beat, emotionally and physically. She found a note from her daughter, Carrie, saying she was staying at friend's house. "Good," thought Amy as she went to cabinet for a glass and bottle of wine. She needed time alone.
Amy spent the evening sipping wine, listening to music and looking through old photographs. She found one of her and Hank. It was taken that 4th of July. She wiped the dust off of it. It was a great picture of the two of them. Amy sighed as she said to no one, "How young we look and happy too." She also noticed how much her body has changed.