She had driven countless times before. She knew how to navigate busy streets, recognize familiar intersections, and remain patient when traffic slowed.
But this drive was different because she knew exactly where she was going.
Every familiar turn brought her closer.
As the road began to change, her thoughts became louder. She remembered how many times she had passed nearby without taking the final turn. She recalled the excuses she had offered when someone suggested visiting the area. She thought about the years that had passed while she continued to treat the destination as somewhere she could never return.
For a moment, she considered turning around.
The thought came so naturally that she almost acted on it.
She could tell herself that the timing was wrong. She could decide that she had already accomplished enough simply by considering the journey. She could return home, make a cup of tea, and spend the evening doing something familiar.
