Practical Magic

Sally will follow the toad’s example, and will use patience as her weapon and her shield. She will go about her business; she’ll vacuum and change the sheets on the beds, but all the while she’s doing these things she’ll really be waiting for Gillian and Kylie and Antonia to go out for the day.
As soon as she’s finally alone, Sally heads for the backyard. The toad is still there; it’s been waiting right along with Sally. It settles more deeply into the grass when Sally goes to the garage for the hedge clippers, and it’s there when she brings them over, along with the stepladder she uses whenever she

"Fourth time's the charm," she says to people who ask her what the secret of a happy marriage is, but that's not the way she feels about it.

If there's one thing Sally is now certain of, it's how you can amaze yourself by the things you're willing to do.