GRACE'S GIFT PART FOUR

The girls decided to head out to the gym with Connie and Isabella picked up and headed out to a day class at the karate school. She enjoyed a wonderful hour of training and had an enjoyable cup of coffee with one of the women whom she had become very good friends with. She arrived home a little after 2:00 and after taking care of the animals grabbed a shower, did her hair, and decided to rest. She found a movie on television and smiled. The storyline was one of hope, beating the odds, and finishing a race when the odds were against you. The movie held a special place in her heart for the man who came to her each night was also in the movie. She was drying her eyes as the others arrived home around 3:00 p.m. She assured them she was fine, explaining the movie had made her cry. Carmela and Tessa noted the actor in the movie, Connie was unphased. Apparently Connie had had an exceptionally difficult time with one of her clients and was going to unwind with a nice hot bath and some quiet time.

The girls worked for most of the afternoon and at 7:00 broke for dinner. Tessa has made a salad and they added chicken for a light meal. They were being extra mindful of their calories considering the holiday was only a week away. They wanted to be able to enjoy themselves and not worry about diets, calories and extra pounds. Once dinner was done and the kitchen cleaned, they resumed their work and discussed plans for Wednesday. They asked Isabella if she would enjoy going for a ride as a precursor for her birthday but told her the destination was a secret. Isabella smiled and agreed to the adventure. In the past, Isabella had to know everything because normally she was lead down a cruel path when Danny would lie to her, build her hopes and then disappoint her. Now she was learning to trust people in her life and felt more relaxed when those around her wanted to do kind things for her. She hummed as she worked and felt overall peace and strength. Tuesday came and went with more of the same. The girls worked and then headed off to the gym and Isabella picked up another day class at the karate school. Their routine for Tuesday was very much like the day before. They broke for dinner around 6:30 and then resumed work. They developed the routine quickly enough and although they broke for workouts, taking care of the animals and dinner but overall completed all their work as if they were actually in the office.

On Wednesday though they did deviate from the routine from Monday and Tuesday and after an early breakfast, a bit of work, letting the dogs outside to play and take care of business and showers, they headed down the Garden State Parkway for a ride to Olde Towne arriving in time for a late lunch. They arrived at Kelly's Seafood House around 2:15 and enjoyed appetizers and sharing entrees. They lingered over coffee and watched the water and Christmas lights that light up the harbor and townhouses near by. Isabella laughed so hard that day she thought her sides would burst. They paid the check, Isabella thanking each of them for their contribution to her pre-birthday celebration and headed back up the parkway but not before Tessa instructed her to close her eyes and keep them closed. Isabella protested a bit but eventually gave in and closed her eyes. She felt the SUV turn this way and that way and eventually felt the SUV stop. The girls firmly instructed her to keep her eyes closed, which she did, but she could feel the budding exciitement. When she opened her eyes they were slowly riding through the PNC Arts Center Christmas Light show. Isabella gasped and pointed to each display as if she were a child. Her heart beat with excitement at each display and they rolled down the windows to hear the beautiful music coming from the ampi-theater. Although it was cold the air was a beautiful reminder of the season and how much Isabella believed in miracles. The others joined in the excitement and became teary eyed when they past displays that