A Most Unusual Passage
Copyright© 2026 by J&J
Chapter 15
BUZZZZZZ! SLAM, I stared at my clock-radio reproachfully, as though it alone was responsible for my being awake at 7:00 am on a Sunday. But then I remembered the shopping trip to Denver, and I sprang from my bed, eager to start the day. Strawberries can make me itch, so I had a long bath last night after my expedition with Marcus and Martha to gather wild strawberries. I couldn’t help smiling at the fun we’d had. Smiling came easier, now that I had two friends in Otis and didn’t feel so alone.
For serious shopping, I dressed like a stripper: clothes that were easy to get out of, even in a phone booth-sized dressing room. I settled on a wrap-around skirt and a simple four- button blouse that would also be comfortable and presentable enough for the big city. I selected some comfortable shoes, suitable for serious mall walking, and I was ready, make that eager, to go.
I pulled up at the Martel’s at 8:00 am on the dot. Martha was raring to go. “Let’s go, gal; it’s been a month of Sundays since I’ve had a shopping day in Denver. I’m itching to blow some egg money.”
“Hop in; I’m ready for some big city living myself,” I said; “didn’t know you kept chickens.”
“I don’t; haven’t for years. It’s sort of a family joke.”
As we turned out onto the highway, she was still grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Can I get in on the joke?”
“I’m just remembering the look on his face. He came home from meeting Everett that day, fretting about whether we could afford for him to retire. I asked him if he had ever looked at the investment statements we receive every month, and the poor fool said no, he thought that was just my egg money. Husbands never give you credit for a lick of sense. So I dug out the latest statement and handed it to him. He quickly realized that the ‘egg money’ was, in fact, a rather handsome retirement nest egg. Honey, I wish you could have been there; it was like shock, relief, joy and gratitude were all fighting to get on his face at the same time. I’ll never forget that look as long as I live.”
“That’s a great story; what a nice feeling to be able to surprise him with such a gift.”
“And don’t forget the best part,” she said gleefully.
“OK, I’ll bite; what’s the best part?”
“This is one shopping trip I can spend as much as I want and he isn’t going to even think of complaining ... after all, it’s only egg money.” Martha laughed so hard she was gasping.
The first part of the trip was a repeat of the journey with Marcus to Akron; but we continued on Rt. 34 to Brush. It was new country to me, but it was so unchanged I had to take the highway signs’ word for it. At Brush we picked up Interstate 76 for the longest but fastest leg of the trip.
Martha told me about the early days when they were both young teachers getting started; the hard work trying to teach and run a ranch and raise horses. She told me about her reluctant decision to quit teaching when the children came and the years when she did sell eggs to help make ends meet.
“Martha,” I asked, “did your life turn out the way you wanted?”
Martha laughed. “The answer to that depends on what you’re really asking me. Did it turn out the way I used to lie in bed as a girl and dream? Not even close. Marcus is no knight in shining armor, and Otis is not Camelot. If you mean, did it turn out the way I planned when, as a young woman with degree in hand, I set out to conquer the world. No, I traded the rewards of personal accomplishment for the subtler rewards of helping someone I loved deeply achieve his and raising children with abilities and character to achieve theirs. A woman’s rewards as spouse and mother; they seem quaint and out of fashion today.” She looked me right in the eye when she said this, and I colored a bit.
“Which is a shame,” she continued, “I’m afraid a lot of women will never know this great happiness and will settle for just a career. If you are really asking if I am happy and content with how my life turned out, then oh yes, I wouldn’t change a thing. The little girl’s dream wasn’t completely wrong; she did live happily ever after.”
We rode together in silence for a while after that. She was basking in the memories her answers had aroused. I was trying to deal with the questions her answers had aroused in me. Her life seemed to contradict some of the most basic foundations of my feminist values, and yet I wondered if I would have a chance to look back on my life with such complete satisfaction and happiness. I knew few who did.
We came into Denver on Colorado Boulevard, heading for the new Cherry Creek Mall at Martha’s suggestion. To be back in a crowded urban area after the sparseness of the plains was a shock. I was rubbernecking like a country yokel who’d never seen a city before.
“Turn here on 1st Ave.,” directed Martha. “Our first stop will be a special treat, since you said you wanted a great book store.”
“I was counting on a library and didn’t bring any books to read. Not much else to do at night, so yes, I’m pretty desperate for some good reading material.”
“Here we are,” Martha announced; “you should be able to find what you’re looking for.”
I looked up at the sign Tattered Cover Book Store “Provided the name isn’t completely literal,” I joked.
I inherited my love of bookstores from Dad, and he and I could happily lose hours breathing in the heady mixture of dust and musty bindings, unearthing rare gems for his history library. So it was with a practiced eye as I plunged into the sea of colorful dust jackets, though my quest today was more recreational than scholarly. Martha disappeared into her favorite sections of travel and biography. I perused the current selections in fiction and poetry.
A fun ninety minutes left me with the two latest John Grisham novels, The Pelican Brief and The Client, Sidney Sheldon’s The Stars Rain Down, about a woman who wanted it all, and The Best American Poetry: 1992. I was content with my haul, but allowed myself to be talked into the very sentimental The Bridges of Madison County, mostly so Martha could borrow it when I was done.
We moved on to the Cherry Creek Mall. We stopped first at a little café for refreshments. Martha started planning the campaign.
“While we’re waiting, tell me what you’re looking for,” she asked”
“I have a good Charleston wardrobe, so I’m pretty well fixed for warm weather, as far as clothes to teach in. I have zilch for cold weather, except what Marcus helped me pick out.”
“Serious cold weather is a long way off, but this is the time to look for bargains, so we’ll check for sales, especially on the big ticket items like a coat. Now what are you planning for outdoor recreation?”
“I don’t know; I guess I never really thought about it. I’m used to spending a lot of time doing physical activities out of doors, but none of the things I do are available here. What are my options?”
Martha looked sympathetic. “Damn few, I’m afraid. Certainly nothing like the choices you’re used to. Tell me, ever ridden a horse?”
“Not in years, but like most girls, I went through a horse phase and took lessons. I did pretty well, and I liked it. I probably still would.”
“That’s good, because that’s far and away your best bet. So one thing for sure today is we’ll look for some riding clothes. We may even find boots, although they have a good selection at the CO-OP. I think we’ll find most of what we’re looking for at May D&F, which officially stands for May, Daniels and Fischer.”
“When you say it that way, it sounds like a law firm,” I quipped.
“It does, doesn’t it, but it’s a pretty decent department store with a good selection and reasonable prices. I’m not sure for how much longer, because there is a rumor they’re about to be taken over by Foley’s.
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