Deuces

As I pulled into the parking space I was overcome with emotion. It hit me unexpectedly. In a breezy and excited mood, I had been on cloud 9 after an uneventful work day, an amazing spin class, and time in the late evening to go Christmas shopping for my husband and in-laws- it was as close to a perfect day as a woman could want. But as I skirted easily into the open parking spot my heart clenched, and my eyes welled up in tears.  Out of nowhere.  My heart broke in that moment.  I was my 21 year old self.  I hadn’t spent time at this mall in nearly two decades.  Once my “home” mall, when I got older other venues opened up and I moved away, and just stopped coming here.  But now living back in the area I grew up in I find myself transported to places and memories I hadn’t thought on for as many years.  The spot was the same spot I had parked in almost 20 years ago. It was the one where I locked my keys in my gold Chevy Cavalier at age 21.   Only months before my father passed away, he re