H'S

yself with plans for Madrid, checking listings online,

image of Richard and Susan on that t

s voice announcing my failed marr

ard, right? Mom always said that life doesn't stop

he window, watching the city wake up. The sun was just b

looked at my packed bags

rt skipped a beat-who could it be this early? I walked

eted with a polite smile. "Just here t

d, forcing a smile. "I

against it. My chest tightened. I should have k

twice, but u had always wi

ed my bags, and headed downstairs. The lobby

As I stepped out into the fresh air, I felt a

and gave the driver my destination. As we pulled

much time to think. Madrid was supposed to be my new b

if it turned out just like this? W

hrough the motions-checking in, going th

I felt invisible, just a face in the crowd. And maybe that

e window. As the plane started to taxi down the runw

else's life unfold. But as the plane took off, clim

fe. Maybe this time, I could find my own happine

es and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I

blur, hours passing in a haze of quiet

h a bright, warm sun. It was almost like Madrid was offering

nd. The driver was a middle-aged man with a friendly smil

my voice shaky from exhaustion. The dri

Spanish, I learned languages in

ed out the window, taking in the sights. Everything wa

d, one that didn't have the shadows of Rich

rtyard filled with plants and flowers. Af

oked a narrow, cobbled street. I set my suitcase d

g with it the sounds of the city:

o start living. So, after a quick shower, I chang

new life could be. I wandered through

out to passersby, the scent of fresh bread wafted from small bake

l, bustling market square. I wandered through the st

eautiful, hand-painted tiles. Each tile was a tiny ma

. The design was simple but capti

beside me said. I turned to see an elderly woman standi

ery beautiful) I replied, smiling ba

sic in the distance. Drawn by the melody,

their music lively and full of joy. I found a bench

felt like forever, I felt a

cians. A little girl, maybe five or six, was s

s the sky. I watched as she reached up, her eyes filling wit

She looked at me with big, teary eyes, and my heart ached. "Yo

he balloon, which was now just

alloon is going to tell the clouds all

arted to form on her lips. Just then, a wo

daughter tightly. I stepped back, watching as the li

needed to do. I was going to gain my stand and bui

e longer, just listening to the

ke a place where I was running to and

ard ran back begging me