If you haven’t read January 12 yet, you can do so here.

If you stumbled onto this post by accident and haven’t read any of the other stories, head over to this post to find out more about this project.

“We’re finally in Bali. Can you believe it? This was always our dream.” Ruby leaned over the balcony taking in the balmy Indonesian air. Even from the bed Gabi gelt the humidity.

“It’s too early. Go back to bed.” She rolled onto her other side and kicked the blankets off in an effort to cool down. 

Ruby leapt into the room and landed squarely on Gabi’s feet. 

“But it’s Bali. Aren’t you excited?”

Gabi groaned. “I’d be more excited if I had some coffee.”

Ruby bounced back to her feet and onto the balcony. Gabi gave up on sleep and pulled herself to a semi upright position. 

“I’m going shopping, then I’m going to get lunch at this cafe Lalannah told me about. Then maybe I’ll do more shopping.”

“Sounds great.” Gabi searched for a shirt and some shorts to cover up her near naked body, suddenly self-conscious of her lack of clothes. 

“What are you going to do?”

Gabi shrugged. “I haven’t decided.” She joined ruby on the balcony, inwardly bemoaning the humidity and the sun. But it did look beautiful, tropical but also rural.

“I never thought we’d finally make it here.” Ruby sighed happily.

“I didn’t expect it to be in twin beds.” Gabi leaned into the railing, Bali had always been Ruby’s dream. Just like a lot of other things in their life had been Ruby’s dream. Gabi had no idea what her own dreams were anymore. If she’d ever had any. Her only goal growing up had been to have a better life than her mother had. They’d always struggled to make ends meet and she’d dreamed of living a life where she didn’t need to worry about debt collectors. She’d succeeded at that, but now she had no idea what she wanted. Kids? A big house? She had no idea. Bali was as good a place as any to start looking. She smiled. 

“I think I want to do the Eat, Pray, Love thing and find one of those temples.” As soon as she said it, she knew it was what she needed to do. She wasn’t religious in the slightest, but she did believe in letting her body tell her what it needed. The temples called to her like nothing had in a long time. Ruby looked to her as if she’d grown two heads. For the first time in many years, Gabi didn’t much care what Ruby thought of her decision. It was freeing. 

“I’m gonna shower.” Feeling awake and energized Gabi took a deep breath of the thick Balinese air and slipped into the room for a shower. It was going to be a good day. For the first time in 2020, she truly believed it.

You can read January 14 here.

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