Hello, world. Joy takes a deep breath outside. She draws in the Hudson, car exhaust, and the fresh scent of opportunity. Instead of hailing a cab or taking the subway home, Joy silences her phone and walks a few blocks to the Hudson River Gateway, and she keeps on walking. Bryce will call. She won’t wait for her email. But Joy needs to think. Now that she isn’t working for Vintage Chic, she gives an idea she had as a tween free rein: a natural and organic soaps and salves company that caters to arts and entertainment professionals. The idea sparked when she’d read an article in Jam Session, an online magazine about the LA music scene and local gigs. Reedy Cash, an indie guitarist, shared her dry skin issues during an interview. Her left hand fingertips wouldn’t cease peeling and cracking no matter the lotion or balm she applied. Joy immediately saw an opportunity. She recalls sharing her dream with Judy over an In-N-Out burger. Judy told her to go after her dream, and now Joy can.

She achieved Judy’s dream. Joy accomplished an item on her sister’s list of life goals. She feels elated, which isn’t anywhere near the disappointment she felt at the end of her road trip across country. She hadn’t completed Judy’s Route 66 Bucket List. She hasn’t completed Judy’s Life Goals either. Only one thing left: have three kids.

Joy stops midstride. It’s been a year since she and Mark put family planning on hold. Maybe she should put her natural and organic soaps and salves business on hold instead. Research, planning, and product testing should wait while they focus on family. But what if she miscarries again?

She starts walking. She isn’t ready to go through that pain or the heartache. She hasn’t gone to therapy either like Mark had insisted and she promised to think about. Honestly, she forgot.

Elation deflates and her pace slows to a crawl as she debates what to do.

If only she could call Dylan.

It isn’t the first time she wishes that she could reach out to him to talk through a dilemma. He’s the only one who knows the truth about Judy, her lists, and Joy’s determination to see each one through. But if Joyride is any indication, he’s moved on, whereas she’s still stuck in the past.

Ironic how much she wants to talk with him when she’s the one who put the expiration date on their friendship.

It’s after nine when she hails a cab and arrives home. The front door closes loudly behind her and Mark comes running from the kitchen. He hugs her hard. “Thank God. Where’ve you been?”