point is, I grew up hearing her words all the time, and you know what? That woman was a lot of things—assumed closeted lesbian, boss bitch, and also a one-woman quote factory.”
“Okay,” Teddy said tentatively as she reached into the bag for another fry. Kirsten held out a hand, so Teddy gave her one, too.
“And the thing she said that my parents were most fond of was this: do one thing every day that scares you.”
Eleanor paused dramatically as Kirsten and Teddy chewed.
“Turns out she probably didn’t actually say that, at least not in such a Pinterest-graphic-worthy way, but the point remains: you, Teddy, are going to do one thing every day that scares you.”
“You want me to take inspiration from a misattributed quote?” Teddy asked.
“Every day,” Eleanor said firmly, ignoring her question. “You try one new thing. You make one new plan. One thing you never would have, or could have, done with Richard. One step, big or small, outside of your comfort zone. How do you expect to find your passion if you don’t have a plan, Teddy? This is your plan.” She paused and smiled. “Sound good?”
“Whoa,” Teddy said. “I didn’t know you could be so . . . authoritative.”
“She means bossy,” Kirsten said with a grin.
Eleanor flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Different students require different tactics to succeed!”
“Okay,” Teddy said slowly, thinking of Everett’s response to the little boy named Keegan. Wasn’t that what he’d said? That Keegan should try new things, especially the things that scared him?
“This would never work for me,” Kirsten said, leaning back against the throw pillows. “Nothing scares me.”
“Except for possums,” Eleanor reminded her.
Kirsten shuddered. “Their faces! Their teeth! Well, I guess I’d have to confront a possum.”
Teddy shook her head. “I’m not scared of possums. But I am scared of . . . a lot of other things. Like everything, maybe? Life without Richard, that’s what scares me. This sounds like a bad idea.”
Teddy thought about all the decisions she’d avoided throughout her life. Going with the flow, along for the ride. Tagalong Teddy wouldn’t ever do anything that scared her . . . well, not unless a bunch of other people were doing it, too. If everyone around her was jumping off a bridge, then Teddy would definitely do it. No question.
Eleanor smiled gently. “That means this is a great idea. Let’s take some classes! I love classes. Oh! One of my coworkers also teaches over at Sew to Speak. Do you know how to sew?”
“I’ve never tried,” Teddy said. “It looks hard.”
“Well, now’s your chance!” Kirsten said. “Line dancing! Skydiving! Getting a regrettable tattoo! Hitchhiking across the country and almost getting murdered and then writing a memoir about the experience! You’re doing it all.”
“I’m not doing any of those things,” Teddy said matter-of-factly. “But sewing sounds nice.”
“You’re gonna Eat Pray Love your way all over the world! It’s time for you to say yes to life!” Kirsten said, ramping up.
Teddy placed a hand on Kirsten’s shoulder. “I don’t have the time for a pasta-based spiritual journey, but if life ever asks me a question, I promise I’ll answer in the affirmative.”
Kirsten sighed. “I suppose that’s good enough for me.”
“This is exciting,” Eleanor said, wiggling her eyebrows as she closed her planner. “I haven’t been this jazzed about a project since I decided to reupholster the cushions on our kitchen chairs.”
“High praise,” Kirsten said. “She loves to reupholster.”
“You’re not doing this by yourself, Teddy,” Eleanor said, putting an arm around her. “You have a life outside of making dinner for Richard, and we’re going to help you figure out what it is.”
Teddy brushed away a tear, embarrassed. “I’m an adult woman. I shouldn’t be figuring this stuff out now.”
“There’s no time limit on dreams,” Kirsten said, putting an arm around her other side so that Teddy was the filling in a warm, cozy best friend sandwich. “Colonel Sanders didn’t become a chef until he was forty, and look at what that man accomplished.”
Teddy snort-laughed through her tears. “Well, I don’t plan to start a successful chain of fried-chicken restaurants, but thank you. And thanks for being so nice to me even though I missed pajama-movie night.”
Kirsten waved her off. “We’ll plan another one.”
“And we’re going to have an official tea time to fully map out your plan,” Eleanor said. “This is merely brainstorming. Think about all the things that scare you, and we’ll make up a full list over scones.”
Teddy nodded. Somehow, talking about this with Eleanor and