BOOKS by KATE BRIDGER
Talking To Myself
PUBLISHED BY KATE BRIDGER, NELSON BC, October, 2014
E-Books DISTRIBUTED BY SMASHWORDS & AMAZON
BOOK & COVER DESIGN by KATE BRIDGER
ISBN: 978-0-9869228-2-4
When Lyn and Cait’s lives collide, neither of them has any idea about the journey they are about to embark upon together. Lyn is in her late-fifties and leaning towards the end of her career. Cait is at the other end of the spectrum, in her mid-twenties and just getting started. Their story takes place over a few months in the fictional town of Calford, located in British Columbia’s rural interior. Their friendship begins on a slightly rocky footing but soon evolves into a bond like no other; the two women learn about loves, losses, relationships and life from two very different perspectives but with more in common than either one suspects.
Theirs is a brief encounter and a rare opportunity, the significance of which is not fully realized until one of them is gone.
Lyn is a 55-year-old divorcée returning to the workplace after many years working in her home. Cait is in her early twenties, and just beginning her working life. Forced together in a shared office, their friendship begins on a somewhat reluctant footing but, over time, a deep and fulfilling connection develops.
Cait's fresh approach to life reminds Lyn about her own forgotten youth and how her duties as a wife, mother and 'mature' adult prevented her from fully taking stock of her innate strengths and weaknesses. As the 'grownup' version of Cait, Lyn has learned many lessons about love and life and yet soon realizes that, despite the accumulation of grey hair and wrinkles, some things never change. When she experiences a brief moment of love and infatuation her own behaviour is not very different from a concurrent romantic journey Cait is also suffering through.
During their brief time together Lyn learns her son is gay and that—in her opinion—her daughter is frittering her life away; she reconnects with an old boyfriend only to be hurt a second time; and then, one day, she discovers her time may be running out. Throughout these trials and tribulations, Cait is by her side helping her to build stronger bonds with her grownup children, teaching her to stop being the victim in love and allowing her to accept her physical and emotional weaknesses.
At the same time, Cait sheds some of her edgy youthful cynicism, develops her self-confidence and self-worth—enough to find love with a good man for a change—and comes to appreciate she is, in fact, in charge of her own destiny. She brings humour, compassion and her unique brand of wisdom to their intimate conversations, many of which take place over a glass of wine in a cosy downtown pub. And, when a crisis occurs in Lyn's life, Cait sweeps in to take charge.
Although the two women recognize the similarities between their life stories, their likes and dislikes and even their physical traits, it is not until Lyn is gone that Cait realizes exactly what their connection had represented.
Philosophically, the story of Lyn and Cait shows us that although Fate deals out the deck of probabilities, it is the choices we make in our lives that provide the possibilities. Cait holds the reins on her journey. She doesn't have to remain trapped in either the track she's already walked or the footsteps that preceded her.