Author's Note: Thank you so much to those of you following along so far! I'm honored that you have taken the time to read this little story rattling around my head. It's a product of a desire to write something in general (so many thoughts milling around this mind of mine since last May) and my inability to be able to get to sleep at night lately. So, I decided to take my chances and put something out there. You all have been so kind and gracious to me. Yes, it will lean towards an E/N storyline but it will be a journey. My schedule is still a bit crazy, so these writings will most likely come during those times when the ideas/thoughts come the most and I can't sleep. Anyway, enough rambling... hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4: Going through the Motions
As Elizabeth finished the last of her lesson deliveries to her students' homes, she took off her cloth facial mask and took a few quick "recovery" breaths. She hated that thing with a passion because of how confining it seemed, but knew the reason for its necessity given the current circumstances of Hope Valley. Yet lately, it just seemed impossible to breathe with it on, especially when she was out in public. Elizabeth had already been out and about since Lucas passed away a few weeks prior, and wearing this annoying contraption over her face left Elizabeth gasping for air as she walked away from her last family home. It just seemed like all Elizabeth wanted to do was stay home with Little Jack and sleep whenever possible. It had been so hard to get to sleep every night, but when she did, it was one of the only places she wanted to be. The Thornton home became a spot of refuge for Elizabeth.
But, as she walked further down the road, Elizabeth knew that she needed to be out and about today. The lesson deliveries needed to be made, and she was seeing Faith in the infirmary because of the headaches that had bothered her recently as well. Since she was out, Elizabeth packed her basket along with the lessons, an empty thermos, her journal, a pen, and a blanket. After her business in town was completed, she figured that she'd take Sergeant to visit Lucas' and Jack's graves and do some writing during her time there. Although there was a slight nip in the air, the weather was warm enough to enjoy the day outside. Elizabeth stopped at the livery before going to see Faith, to see Sergeant and drop off the blanket and basket. She stroked Sergeant's mane as he nuzzled into Elizabeth. She smiled as she spoke to him. Elizabeth spoke softly to the horse, "How about you and I go for a little ride later to the cemetery and enjoy this beautiful day." With that, Elizabeth grabbed her purse and thermos from the basket and made her way slowly to the infirmary. She was silently hoping that not many people were out and about at this time of day. She just didn't have it in her to be social. Not today, at least.