by C J Murphy
Jordan was inordinately pleased when Sarah had claimed full responsibility for helping Dava, and that her fiercely independent sister hadn’t protested. One call to a medical equipment company in Bangor, and Sarah had been successful in renting some specialized equipment, including a motorized wheelchair, to help make Dava’s stay more pleasant.
They had reservations at the Bar Harbor Inn for three rooms, one that was handicapped accessible for Dava. The rest of the arrangements were fluid, and Jordan left that up to the others for those decisions. Jordan was almost positive where Sarah wanted to stay, and she knew it would not be an issue with their mother. Dalia adored Sarah. Little sister, you are going to have to let go of some of those insecurities around me and Mom. I hope you can admit that your feelings for Sarah are moving to another level.
“You all set, Watson?” Jordan found a cart and loaded the luggage. Their rental van had a lift and was waiting for them in the lot. Sarah had called ahead to ensure that special arrangements were made for it to be on hand.
“You thought of everything, Sarah.” Dava reached out for Sarah’s hand.
“When was the last time we took a family vacation, and I don’t mean a day trip?” Jordan asked. “It has to be five years, I’ll bet.”
Dava smiled up at her sister. “At least. We all went to that beach house belonging to your fellow professor…down at the Outer Banks.”
“Professor Taylor thought it would be a good fit. He built that house with his son’s needs in mind. Marcus is starting college next year. What an incredible kid.” Jordan squeezed Dava’s shoulder, as their mother joined them.
Dalia adjusted her shoulder bag. “Need help with the luggage?”
“I think I’ve got it. Sarah, you two good to go?” Jordan started pushing the cart toward the automatic doors.
At Sarah’s nod, they made their way out to the van and got everyone loaded. The van’s ramp made it easy to get Dava in and secured for the twenty-five-minute ride to the Bar Harbor Inn on Mt. Desert Island.
Dalia was reading from her tablet about the things they could do that were accessible to all of them. Jordan drove, enjoying memories of the road trips they’d taken when her father was still alive. “Mom, do you remember playing road games whenever we traveled with Dad?”
Dalia reached over and ran her fingers through Jordan’s fringe. “I do. It helped pass the time. I hear so many of my colleagues talk about their kids being buried in their electronics during their family vacations.”
The Loop Road took them along the cliffs that led down to the water’s edge lined with boulders and farther along, through tree-lined areas. The smell of the salt air relaxed Jordan, as she let the anxiety of her quest fade. She would be present with the people she adored and enjoy this time. Jordan was brought back out of her musings, as her mother asked her a question she didn’t quite hear.
“What did you say, Mom?”
“I wonder if we can schedule one of these Dive-In theater tours. It says people with mobility issues can schedule a cruise at high tide. Apparently, there is a ramp that is more accessible during those times. I don’t think we can take the chair on the boat. I think we could manage to get Dava on board. What do you think?”
Jordan caught Dava’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “How about it, Watson? Want to go for a boat ride?” She watched as Sarah pulled their joined hands to her mouth and kissed Dava’s knuckles.
Sarah’s smile lit up her face. “Come on, honey. Live dangerously. I promise not to let you drown. I’ll swim you back to shore if I have to.” Sarah’s enthusiasm was infectious and hard to fight.
“I’m game as long as you two don’t mind doing the heavy lifting.” Dava let out a contemplative sigh.
Jordan nodded her head. “Then it’s settled. We’ll call when we get checked in.”
A few minutes later, the large, stately inn came into view. Perched high above the water, it’s white and gray exterior starkly contrasted against the backdrop of azure-blue sky. Jordan wasn’t sure she’d ever stayed any place as majestic. Many of the rooms faced Frenchman Bay and Porcupine Island. Frankly, it was stunning. She pulled under the tall awning to check in. Sarah walked in with her, while Dava and Dalia waited in the van.
Jordan thought Sarah might be trying to have a moment alone with her. Inside the large front doors, the entrance lobby was decorated in shades of maroon and cream and accented with small touches of white trim. Several areas were set up to relax around a large, white-faced mantel piece framing a beautiful fireplace.
“Jordan…”
Jordan watched Sarah rub her palms against her khaki shorts. “Spit it out, Sarah. What’s bugging you?” Jordan checked her phone for their reservation confirmation and met Sarah eye to eye.
Sarah took a deep breath. “Jordan, would I be overstepping to ask if Dava and I can stay in the same room?”
“I’m not sure I’m the one you should be asking.”
Sarah looked a bit shocked and stammered. “Do you think your mom will mind? Or Dava? Crap, maybe she won’t want to. I mean…” Sarah rubbed her hand over her face. “I’m sorry, Jordan. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I should go wait in the van.”
Jordan reached up and placed her hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “I’m rooting for you, Sarah, trust me. What I think you should do is trust Dava. I’m only saying you should ask my sister, not me. Mom and I want only the best for her, and as far as we’re concerned, that’s you. The thing is, Dava doesn’t much care for us making decisions for her. Let’s get the keys, and let me see if I can help you figure out where to put your luggage.”
Jordan walked to the desk, where a young man with a perfect haircut and a bow tie waited for her to approach.
“Hi, reservation for Jordan Armstrong and company.”
The young man typed on a keyboard while he looked at a screen in front of him. “Welcome, Ms. Armstrong, I have your reservation right here. Two kings and one wheelchair accessible room, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
After a few moments, he gave her some directions and told her where she could park. He handed her three keys.
“We hope your stay is enjoyable. If there is anything we can do to help, don’t hesitate to call on us.”
Jordan nodded, and they went back out to the van. Sarah got in and helped Dava out, as Jordan heaved the luggage onto the cart.
Jordan parked the van, while the rest went inside. She joined them a few minutes later and knelt beside her sister.
“I checked, and your motorized chair will be delivered tomorrow.”
Dava’s quirky grin was infectious. “I’ll be fine if one of you is up to pushing me around, literally.”
Jordan met Dava’s eyes. “Watson, you know I love you.”
Dava shook her head and laughed. “I didn’t know that was in question. Thanks for the confirmation.”
Jordan flipped her sister’s ear. “Sarah loves you too.”
Dava’s eyes dropped, as her cheeks turned crimson. “I know that.”
“I think you love her too, so I’m giving you the room keys to distribute. No matter what you decide, Mom and I will support you, okay?”
Dava brought her eyes back to Jordan’s.
“Take a chance, Dava. I don’t think you’ll regret it.”
Dava took a deep breath. “JJ, I will if you’ll watch for your own opportunities and not be afraid to take that same chance.”
Jordan pulled her sister's hands into her own. “We’ll see. I have something else I’m destined to do right now. I’m not sure I’d know the right one if she walked up and introduced herself to me.”
“I have faith in you, Jordan. At least keep your eyes open to the possibility.”
“Come on. Mom and Sarah will think we’ve gotten lost.” In front of their block of rooms, Jordan stopped beside Sarah and waited. This must be Dava’s decision.
“Here’s your key, Jordan.” Dava paused and looked at her mother. “And here’s yours, Mom.
” She looked up to Sarah, who stood at her shoulder. “How about we take our stuff into our room and lay down for a bit? Between the early departure time this morning and this all-day adventure, I think I’d like to rest before dinner.”
Jordan looked at her mother and winked. She squeezed Sarah’s shoulder as she unlocked the room and helped Dava inside. “I’m going to work some on trying to figure out where Aggie’s memorial site is. How about we meet downstairs at six for dinner? Mom, will you be ok on your own for a bit?”
Jordan’s mother kissed her on the cheek while she held the other with her palm. “I’ll be fine. You are more like your father than you know. I love you, Dear Abby.”
Dalia’s wide grin told Jordan, her mother knew exactly what she’d done.
After retiring to her room, Jordan pulled out her laptop and opened the files she’d been transferring clues from her notebook into. Everything led her to Acadia. Nothing so far had pointed her to where Noeul had placed Aggie’s memorial. She kept waiting for a sign, something that would give her an idea of which direction to go. At all the other locations, something has spoken to me, caught my attention, and put me in the right place at the right time. I’ll have to be patient and wait until that happens again.
Jordan looked around her hotel room at the luxurious, king-sized bed. She was too restless to lie down. Jordan had made a reservation for the four of them to have dinner in the Reading Room there at the inn. Until it was time to go, she would see what she could dig up with research.
The hours passed quickly. The group was shown to their table looking out into Frenchman Bay. Stately yachts, with their towering masts, dotted the waterway. Off in the distance, large tourist boats ferried patrons out into the waters around Bar Harbor. Jordan allowed the buttery soft flavor of pear to flow across her tongue with hints of apple. This chardonnay is good. She didn’t get to enjoy a good wine very often. The menu had a variety of seafood items along with lamb, beef, and chicken options. Jordan waited while her family ordered and settled on the fresh Maine lobster for herself.
Jordan ordered and handed the server her menu. She cocked her head toward her mother. “Did you know that Maine provides nearly ninety percent of the nation’s lobster catch? When in Rome.”
“That’s why I ordered the lobster pie. Have you been able to do any more research on what you’re looking for?” Dalia picked up her own glass and sipped.
“I haven’t found anything else yet,” Jordan unfolded her napkin across her lap. “I keep hoping I’ll get inspired. All along this path, I’ve felt like I’ve been led to where I’m supposed to be. This time, nothing has pulled me to anything particular.”
Sarah idly fiddled with her silverware. “Maybe you’re supposed to enjoy yourself while you’re here. Sometimes we can focus so hard on the end game that we miss the journey. I’ll bet, if you relax, it will make itself known before you know it.”
“The whole quest has a pretty strong hold on me, and I can’t help think that I’m this close.” Jordan held her index finger a fraction from her thumb for emphasis.
“You’ve always been a driven child. Both of you feed off the need to explore, to decipher and explain. I’m a proud mother of two exceptional children.“ Dalia reached out and took both of her children’s hands in hers. “And the company you keep is as exceptional.” Her gaze landed on Sarah.
Sarah pulled Dava’s hand up and kissed it. Her eyes drew back to Jordan. “While we wait for our meals, what’s our plan for tomorrow?”
“Well, I thought maybe we’d take in a few sites around town. Did you know that John D. Rockefeller Jr. built forty-five miles of carriage roads here? Wildwood Stables has two donated carriages that are wheelchair accessible. I thought I’d call about scheduling one for us. The Wild Gardens of Acadia have some hardpacked trails, and there’s Hulls Cove Visitor Center. I definitely want us to see the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain. I checked on that boat tour Mom talked about and...” Jordan looked up to see Dava’s lip quivering as she bit it. “Hey, what’s wrong? You don’t want to do any of those things?”
Dava leaned forward and reached for Jordan. “No, I want to do them all. This reminds me of all the vacations we used to take when we were little. Our family always did things that we could all do. I never had to sit out of anything.” She looked at Sarah. “You do that for me, too. Sometimes I forget what that’s like when I’m in a mixed group. Most of the time, people tend to forget I can’t do everything they can, and it becomes awkward. With you two and Sarah, I never have to worry about a suggestion that wouldn’t include me.”
Jordan rubbed a thumb across her sister’s cheek. “That’s one of the reasons I was so excited the clues led to Acadia. It’s one of the most accessible national parks in the system. It’s not what it should be, by any means. What I will say is it’s better than many. I noticed on our drive in here that the sidewalks are pretty congested. I think we can still make it if people will be reasonably accommodating. They say the population spikes in the fall when everyone comes to look at the leaves. We seem to be here at a good time.”
Dalia spoke with determination. “More should be done to make all the parks accessible. I know it’s not cheap, and in some places not even possible. Every effort should be made to make sure our national treasures are accessible for all. It’s what your father and I fought for with the parks we helped build. Every child should know what it’s like to swing.”
Dava grabbed her mother’s hand. “That’s why you’re my hero, Mom.”
Dalia cupped Dava’s cheek. “Trust me, it’s the other way around.”
“I know what you mean about the accessibility issues, Dalia. It’s why I’m working with the National Park Service to make them more inclusive. There are ways that can be implemented that aren’t cost prohibitive. I’m developing a rollout pathway to be able to get wheelchairs over the sand and down to the water’s edge.”
Jordan watched the love between her sister and the woman who was speaking about accessibility with such passion. Sarah’s so good for her. Jordan decided she wanted to have some time to talk to Sarah alone, to make sure she knew she was always welcome wherever they were.
Their waiter approached and began serving their meals. Jordan took in a deep breath, inhaling the smell of lobster and melted butter. Heaven on earth.
After dinner, they retired to their rooms. Jordan wanted to make a few phone inquiries for reservations. She intended this to be a vacation they all would remember for some time. She could only hope the memorial clue would find her. Until some inspiration hit her, she planned to be mentally and physically present for every moment with her family.
***
Noeul made her way through downtown Marlington, West Virginia. She truly did live in an out-of-the-way place. Her proximity to Green Bank and the Quiet Zone kept her distant from many of the modern conveniences she’d known in New York. The trade-off was getting lost in a good book, a glass of wine in her hand, and a crackling fire nearby. Noeul did miss the ability to pick up the phone and make a call. Kelly’s words kept coming back to her. If the tables had been turned, what would she have wanted for Aggie?
The little brass bell jingled when she pushed open the door to the local mercantile. Her senses were overwhelmed with the scents of vanilla, coffee, apple, and cinnamon. Just inside the door sat a display of homemade soy candles. Noeul browsed the labels, picking up one occasionally to remove the lid and inhale. She chose one that smelled of vanilla and toffee, and carried it with her through the store as she browsed. It was Kelly and Miranda’s anniversary and she was on a mission to find them something useful that they didn’t already have or something that needed replacing. They weren’t much for having a lot of material things. What they did have was of the highest craftsmanship and purpose. In the corner of the store stood a selection of fireplace tools made by a local blacksmith. A set of black, wrought iron tongs, with poker and shovel, caught her eye. They would be perfect.
Charlotte, the store owner, was mindi
ng the register. “Well hello, stranger, nice to see you. What brings you out of the clouds?”
Noeul’s face heated at Charlotte’s teasing. “An anniversary gift actually. I was looking at that handcrafted set of fireplace irons. Can you wrap them for me?”
“Sure, I can. They are a heavy-duty set, should last a lifetime.” Charlotte wrapped the candle up in paper to protect it and went to retrieve the tools.
“How’s life up there?”
“Really good now that summer’s here. Cold and windy in the winter, near perfect in spring, summer, and fall.” Noeul handed Charlotte the cash.
“Problem is that, around here, those three seasons are each about a week long. Not sure how you stand being cooped up in that house all alone for those long days and nights.” Charlotte shook her head. “To each their own.” She went about boxing the irons and wrapping them for Noeul.
“It’s not as hard as you’d think. I keep busy with the animals and some research projects. Sometimes, it’s nice to sit and watch the sunset in complete silence.”
“I can understand. I remember several of the guys that built your home said it was unlike any place they’d ever seen. Anything else I can get for you while you’re down here among the lowlanders?”
“Not that I can think of. Thanks, Charlotte.”
“Are you free for dinner? They opened a new Mexican restaurant down the street.”
The words of rejection sat on the end of Noeul’s tongue, as they had all the times before. Charlotte was nice enough, and her offer was sincere. “Thanks, I appreciate it. I need to get back.”
Charlotte handed over her change. “I think I’d fall over if you ever said yes. Can’t blame a gal for trying.”
Noeul’s cheeks heated. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”
“No need to be sorry, honey, I’m teasing. Stop in the next time you’re in town. “
Noeul gave her a genuine smile and picked up her packages. “I always do.”
She loaded everything in her truck and headed toward Green Bank. She wanted to be back to the girls for dinner. She had a bit more research to do. Jordan’s theories were right on track with Noeul’s own research. Noeul had even used some of what she’d recently gleaned in her own experiments, with very promising results. Several more publications were on order, and Noeul felt a sense of excitement and discovery. For a very long time, her research had only been about how to become self-sustaining in her own little microclimate. Lately, with the addition of Jordan’s research, she was feeling accomplished and at the cusp of something. Noeul found it easy to imagine working alongside Jordan, and she’d caught herself, more than once, having a one-sided conversation with her. The miles of dusty blacktop rolled beneath the truck tires, and soon she was back at Kelly and Miranda’s.