Eternal Journey Read Online Free

afternoon
     of beer and football.”
    Still chilled, actually shaking with cold, she put on the kettle for a pot of tea and went into the great room to light a
     fire. It was dark now, the house quite beautiful with the fading autumn shadows dancing over the Ralph Lauren and Waverly
     fabrics, throwing a peaceful silhouette on the room. Walking back to the kitchen, Anna’s eyes misted as she reached for the
     Portmerion teapot.
    It was as if she were squinting to see through heavy London fog. As she held the white earthenware teapot sprinkled with flowers,
     bees, and butterflies in a tremulous hand, Anna was transported across the great pond and back in time.

    “I just love London,” Beth exclaimed, as they emerged arm-in-arm from the Underground. They were headed in the direction of
     Harrods and Anna’s favorite street, Beauchamp Place. They were on their way first to the off-price china shops, where Anna
     could browse and buy for hours. Anna loved a bargain, a trait for which she endured constant ribbing from Beth. Then off to
     Kensington to meander through the quaint and expensive, but not to be missed, shopping haunts of royals and rock stars.
    “I’m glad I listened to you, Annie. Thanksgiving in London is just what I needed! What are you looking for today?” she asked,
     as they entered the first china shop.
    “Portmerion,” Anna replied with her trademark wink. “Help me search each corner—you never know when a piece with a discontinued
     pattern will jump right into your hands! I’ll take the basement, and you can have the first floor.”
    That bittersweet trip had happened three years ago, but it seemed like yesterday. Anna had been away on a month-long project
     in Britain, promoting her first book, when she had received the card from Beth. It had taken close to a fortnight for the
     note to catch up with her, but Anna had smiled as she poured her tea and slit the top of the card.
    Anna always looked forward to correspondence from her dearest friend. They had a ritual now, after these twenty years. They
     were lucky to get together two or three times a year, and it hadn’t been even that frequent in the last five. With Anna’s
     practice, media commitments, and book tours, and Beth’s busy life juggling her law practice with raising two teenagers, and
     helping out with Tom’s business, the two of them rarely got to see each other. So they had resorted to postcards whenever
     away, and notes on birthday cards to let each other know they were always in each other’s thoughts. Occasionally they surprised
     each other with the unexpected card or letter, so Anna was anticipating a good laugh or at least a chuckle. Beth had a way
     with words. This was probably why she excelled as a lawyer, Anna would chide every time she had the chance.
    The familiar Boston postmark told Anna there wasn’t a move to announce, so she settled into a comfortable chair ready to have
     her spirits lifted. Taking her first sip of the hot, sweet tea, Anna was totally unprepared for what she began to read.
    My dear Annie:
    Forgive me for writing rather than calling, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell you this over the phone. I found out
     yesterday I have cancer. I had felt a lump in my breast earlier in the fall, and to make a long story short, had the biopsy
     last week and got the results yesterday. After much deliberation, I have scheduled surgery for after Thanksgiving. I’m still
     in shock, and very scared. I know this is a terrible way to ask you for help, but can you call me when you get a minute?
    Please forgive me again for being such a coward about this. Thanks and I love you!
    Beth
    Anna’s hand shook as she read and reread the card. What day was this? Had Thanksgiving come and gone? My God, what must Beth
     think? Anna wondered. This was written two weeks ago, and she hasn’t heard from me. With shaking hands, she pounded the numbers
     into the phone, staring at her watch and trying to calculate