The Shell Keeper/Quote Outtakes: Chapter 8

Woman must come of age by herself. This is the essence of "coming of age"--to learn how to stand alone.

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh 

Del is sitting in her car in the local ShopCo parking lot. Think of it like Costco. She's working up the nerve to go inside and apply for a job, but when she finally does, every step of the process leaves her more confused and flustered than the last. I have to admit I laughed as I wrote this one...poor Del, she's in it up to her neck, but she keeps going. I'm proud of her!

Finally she takes her job application over to the food area, gets a diet coke and tries to be the most inconspicuous job applicant in history! Unfortunately for her, Gwen see her on her way out from her meeting in the previous chapter and, in the end, it's a good thing she does. Gwen's advice turns the path Del is on and points her in a direction that really will be a part of her positive life changing experience.

The chapter ends with one of my very most favorite scenes. Del stops for cigarettes-her new naughty habit!-and ends up with a lottery ticket and condoms too!! 

One of the reasons I love this chapter is that Del is so brave. Every single step of the way she is operating outside her comfort level, but she operates all the same! Not every choice ends up being the best or even that one that she'd prefer. But she knows she must make a choice and so she does. 

In life, no matter how many friends and family we have, ultimately we must make our own choices, by  ourselves.

(ps... Go Broncos!)