'Solo Mia ' by Melissa Flores Anderson

1. Wake up.
2. Get out of bed.
3. Or don’t. Stay in bed, wrapped in blankets that are not so warm without another body under them, but still warmer than the shower that takes too long to heat.
4. Add a note in your phone to call the dad you met at that kid’s party who offered to adjust your electric water heater. The one you didn’t call because your husband was worried about electricity. He’s moved out so you can do what you want.
5. Get out of bed for real.
6. Drive into the foothills.
7. Walk the trail beyond the creek that begins to curve into the mountains.
8. Realize you forgot your water bottle and you never liked hiking anyway. It’s one of the things your husband complained about, that you weren’t outdoorsy enough.
9. Drive back down the mountain and park in the center of the driveway because you don’t have to leave room for another car anymore.
10. Run the shower water for 10 minutes until it is just the right temperature. Do your hair and makeup, put on a sundress.
11. Text that dad from the kid’s birthday party.
12. Text your son to tell him you miss him and ask what he had for breakfast. He’s notorious for forgetting to eat until he gets hangry, and you’re worried your husband won’t remember that.
13. Wait for a response.
14. Find a YouTube video and pair of pliers. Clear away the cobwebs around the water heater. Balance the laptop on a cardboard box where you have stored the wedding photos taken off the wall.
15. Read your son’s response that he had Wheaties, and everything is fine, and he’ll be home tomorrow. Send him one more text that says I love you, just to be sure he knows.
16. Remember you will also be fine. Someday.