Amaley Bernhard::New York City,New York::Entry 1

The bus ride from New Hampshire was long and late. The snowstorm that's on the east coast right now had made the travel from my mother's to my home in Soho even bleaker. Have to be officially up soon and play some catch up at the office. Though looking outside it seems even that might possibly put down for another day. I've got some email to go through and briefly saw the brown legal envelope with the divorce papers. (sigh). Maybe I'll settle for a day of recovery. Guess it was silly of me to think I could get a jump start to my life. Mom's on the phone now reaffirming my silliness.. She's asking if I saw the box she left in my purse. What box? Sift through my purse and find one of those jewelry boxes with the oyster opening. Intriguing.. She's pestering me now to open it and so I do. Funky old watch on a chain.. The intricate pattern on the back is of my liking. It's rare Mom ever gets me anything I like. She says it was my grandmother's. She had given it to her when she divorced Dad a decade ago. Tradition? She laughs on the phone. "This is one tradition I hope you never have to continue", she says and abruptly hangs up. Typical and yet strange of her. Back to my life and email. I call Paul and tell him I'm taking a "me" day. He welcomes me home and gives me the "np" of approval I was looking for..