“Good,” she whispered to Sylvia.
Sylvia arrived to find Mr. Carter already at his desk. He gave Sylvia a big, bear hug. He asked how she was and how Owen was doing. She repeated her story to him as she had to Carol the day before. They went over last minute details for Bay Days and met briefly on some upcoming projects. The day flew by and she kept busy with little projects.
Home again, Anne told Sylvia that Marian and Jon were bringing dinner that evening. Owen had been resting most of the day. They had watched the marina helpers take the True Love and motor her towards the marina where she would be pulled out of the water for dry dock and repair. Skip had supervised the entire operation and Anne told Sylvia that Owen was happy with how they treated his baby, the ‘True Love.’ Anne told her she enjoyed giving Percy long walks in the neighborhood. Sylvia noticed that Percy was particularly subdued. He was tired!
It was wonderful to see Jon and Marian. They enjoyed another one of Marian’s excellent meals, but Sylvia was weary. Despite the fantastic support of their families and friends, she wanted things to return to normal. She wanted Owen to be well and be back to their lives at Bayside with Percy.
Marian, of course, picked up on her discomposure. She raised an eyebrow and asked Sylvia to help her in the kitchen, directly after dinner. Anne started to protest stating she would help.
Quickly, Sylvia jumped in saying, “Anne, you’ve been helping us so much. Please take a moment to relax.”
Marian winked at her and they cleared the table and met in the kitchen.
“So, what’s going on, Sylvia?” Marian asked.
“I don’t know,” Sylvia stated and paused, “Well, I think I might. I just want everything to return to normal. But, what is normal?” she returned.
Marian sighed, “That’s a good question. You two have certainly been through the mill. It’s not a wonder you’re jumpy. You deserve some peace. I hope all of the bad things are out of the way and you can enter into your marriage with clear skies, calm waters and full sails. I know your mom and Anne are just trying to help.”
“I know, I know!” Sylvia said, “They’ve been wonderful. And, I feel like a spoiled brat, wanting everyone to just go away and leave Owen and me to have our life again.”
“Sylvia,” Marian assured her, “You are not a spoiled brat. You and Owen have had an amazingly stressful time of it, actually, since the beginning of your relationship. The last couple of months you’ve been planning a wedding. That’s been a stress in itself. Now, you’ve been shot at. But, it’s really great that Mary and Anne can take the time to help you so that you can get back to work.”
“I know, I know,” Sylvia said again.
Marian gave her a hug. “It will all work out,” she advised. “Things usually do.”
Sylvia nodded mutely, afraid her voice might catch. What was wrong with her? She was getting emotional again.
“Let’s get this dessert out to everyone before they send in a search party,” Marian suggested.
Marian pulled out a homemade peach cobbler that she had placed in the oven on low to keep warm. Sylvia pulled vanilla ice cream from the freezer and together they spooned and scooped. They took the dessert out to the deck.
The sun was setting and clouds obscured a beautiful sunset. Owen and Jon were in a deep discussion on sailboats. They were both speculating on the time it would take to repair the bullet holes in the boat. Jon and Owen waxed poetically on how the True Love handled in the water. More boats traversed the bay. It was definitely the beginning of a weekend on the water. Jetskis zoomed near the shoreline and dangerously wove in and around some of the boaters. Sailboats were mostly motoring due to the heaviness of the building humidity and the lack of wind. Power boats zoomed up and down the bay. There were cigarette boats that stopped their conversation as they roared past.
Marian and Jon left shortly after sunset. Owen was happy but apparently fatigued. Sylvia helped him get ready for bed and then returned to Anne, who was sitting on the deck, enjoying a glass of wine. She smiled as Sylvia stepped out onto the deck with her own glass of wine. Sylvia sat in the Adirondack chair next to her future mother-in-law.
“How are you doing, Sylvia?” Anne asked gently.
Sylvia took a sip of wine, considering her answer. “Fair,” she finally admitted. “I really appreciate your help, but…” she trailed off afraid of how she would sound with brutal honesty. And, she was fortunate her mom and Anne had the time and energy to come to help take care of Owen. She flushed at her own thoughts.
“You must just want things to be normal again,” Anne said, “I can understand that.”
Sylvia looked at her future mother-in-law gratefully. “That’s exactly it,” she said with relief.
“It will happen,” Anne said. She patted Sylvia’s hand that was resting on the arm of the Adirondack chair.
They sat quietly watching the stars pop out over the water and the lights begin to twinkle on the other side of the bay. The water rippled blue and black under the stars. A few boats were meandering slowly through the water. Sylvia, remembering how dark it was on the water, thought they were brave to traverse the bay with just their running lights.
Anne said good night, patting Sylvia on her shoulder when she went inside. Sylvia sat, absorbing the peacefulness of the evening. The insects sang to her. Sylvia’s worries melted away.
Chapter 22
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Morning came much too soon for Sylvia. Percy was not a barky-barky dog, but something disturbed him and he barked sharply, once, twice, during the night which set Sylvia’s nerves on edge. She couldn’t sleep for more than an hour before she would wake all of a sudden. She had a difficult time returning to sleep. Now, the sounds of the cigarette boats and motor boats roaring down the bay beginning at five in the morning also disturbed the last vestiges of her slumber. The bass tournament started and boats were racing to their favorite fishing spot. She knew they would be announcing the winner at Bay Days.
Owen was still sound asleep. He usually slept heavily, but his medications really zonked him out. Sylvia got up early and actually had to wake Percy to let him out. He scooted back upstairs to bed once she let him out in the yard to do his business. This surprised her, but Sylvia remembered he had barked during the night. He must have been awake and listening for something too. She wished she could join Owen and Percy in bed.
Instead, Sylvia enjoyed her coffee and breakfast on the deck, relishing the slight breeze that came up from the water. She held her breath as a blue heron glided into shore. It kept its eye on the water as it carefully waded along the shoreline, its head bobbing slightly. A bald eagle soared overhead and gulls wheeled in the sky. The water was a bright, French blue this morning and the surface echoed the clouds in the sky in the reflection. The boats involved in the bass tournament had already raced down the bay leaving calm waters until the pleasure boaters woke up.
Sylvia went back inside to get ready for Bay Days. She thought of crawling back into bed for a few minutes to snuggle up to Owen but found Percy, stretched out, sound asleep next to Owen, leaving little room for her.
When she was ready, Sylvia slipped out of the house quietly, not waking anyone. Pulling out of the driveway, she saw their mailbox had been smashed. There was not a lot of crime in Bayside, but every once in a while, petty crime, like broken mailboxes and minor break-ins occurred. Disgusted, she stopped her car and examined the mailbox. It would definitely need to be replaced. This must have been why Percy had barked in the night. Sylvia did not want to go in and wake Owen to tell him the bad news, instead, she texted Owen and Anne what had happened. She hoped they would take the time to get a new mailbox. Then Sylvia realized that Owen would not be able to replace it with his injury. Knowing Marian was likely awake, she called her to ask if Jon could help out. Marian volunteered his services and said she would send him over to check it out. Sylvia thanked
her profusely and asked her to thank Jon too. Now running late, Sylvia quickly texted Owen and Anne an update in the mailbox situation and scooted down the road out of Bayside.
Sylvia had planned to pick up donuts but was running too late. She stopped at the small grocer in town, remembering they had cakes and cookies from an Amish bakery. She adored their carrot cake but thought it would be too messy for the day’s events. Sylvia settled on a large, raspberry and cheese Danish. She also picked up coffees for Mr. Carter, Carol and herself.
The local VFW graciously granted parking spaces to vendors at Bay Days. She showed the gentleman her Thurmont badge and told him at which booth she would be working. He pointed to a parking area. Sylvia parked and balanced the food and coffees and went in search of the Thurmont booth.
Carol just grinned at Sylvia when she approached the booth.
“In your words from a year ago, you glow, girl!” Sylvia told Carol.
Carol actually blushed.
“I take it you will be moving in with Joe?” she asked coyly.
“You are correct,” Carol said, as she grinned at her friend.
“My little girls are growing up,” Mr. Carter remarked. He had caught wind of the conversation when he approached the booth.
Sylvia passed out coffees. Carol couldn’t stop smiling when she said she would need a couple of days off to move in with Joe. Sylvia told Mr. Carter and Carol what had happened to their mailbox as they sipped coffee, ate the Danish and set up the booth. People began trickling in before ten and wandered among the booths. Delicious smells from the food vendors began wafting towards them just after eleven. Smells of kettle corn, hot dogs, and barbecued ribs filled the air. The July heat and humidity seemed to always peak on this weekend. Sylvia was grateful that Mr. Carter had brought a cooler of ice water. Carol and Sylvia kept an eye on him to make sure he was well hydrated and keeping as cool as possible.
“Stop being mother hens,” he complained good-naturedly. “See, I brought one of those bandanas and hats that have the chill thingy in them. I'm all right.”
Sylvia checked her phone and saw a text from Owen. He had received her news about the mailbox. He said that Jon was working on it. He wished her well and told her to stay cool.
It was a successful day. Sylvia was pleased with an increasingly positive response from the community about Thurmont. She hoped that some of her programs were a catalyst for this. By the end of the day, they were all hot and exhausted. Mr. Carter offered to take them out for dinner at an air-conditioned restaurant, but all Sylvia could think of was a refreshing swim. She invited them back to the house, but they both declined. The facilities team came at the end of the day and efficiently packed up the tent and Thurmont paraphernalia. They wearily walked back to their cars and said they would debrief on Monday morning.
“Enjoy the rest of your weekend!” Mr. Carter said as he climbed into his car.
“Don’t you worry, I will!” Carol assured him with a smile and her usual sense of chutzpah.
“Calm would be enough for me,” Sylvia said.
She drove home and noticed the lovely, new mailbox Jon had installed when she pulled in the driveway. She would need to pick up a bottle of his favorite scotch for all of his help. He was particular about his libations and preferred an expensive, single malt scotch.
She parked and told Percy to hush as she walked up to the kitchen door and went inside. Anne was chopping vegetables. She greeted Sylvia with a cheerful hello.
“Owen has a glass of wine waiting for you in the living room,” she told Sylvia.
“I think I’ll go and say hello and either go for a swim or get a shower,” she told Anne. “Are you interested in a swim?” she asked Anne hopefully.
“That sounds beautiful,” Anne told her. “Dinner’s done. Cold shrimp salad and some crusty bread.”
“Yum,” Sylvia told her. “You’re spoiling us.”
Anne smiled, “Just wait until I get grandchildren!”
Sylvia shook her head, smiling and went in to see Owen. He kissed her happily and cupped her breast in his good hand.
“I’ve missed you,” he told Sylvia.
“Same here,” she said. “Your mom is already planning grandchildren.”
Owen rolled his eyes and his hand dropped from her breast, “Oh Gawd,” he stated.
“Hey, I’m hot and I’m sweaty,” Sylvia began.
“And not in the right way,” Owen interrupted.
Sylvia brushed him away, “I’m going swimming with your mom,” she told him.
Sylvia scooted upstairs to change into her swimsuit and water shoes. She met Anne on the deck and they walked to the water with the long, colorful, floating noodles. The water was as warm as bath water in the hot July sun. They strode out until the water was up to their breasts and Sylvia plopped onto the noodle with a small splash. They floated and walked, searching for the cooling, natural springs.
“This is wonderful,” Sylvia said as she floated with the noodle.
“Absolutely!” Anne said. “When Owen was little and he threw a tantrum or was unhappy, I could always put him in water – pool, river, bath, whatever, and he was a happy boy. I think that works for most of us.”
“I agree,” Sylvia replied. “Are you suggesting that’s what I need?” she asked Anne, a little coyly.
Anne nodded and then splashed her. They both laughed.
They splashed around a little more and Sylvia broke the news to Anne, “You know, Anne, Owen doesn’t want to have kids for a while. A long while, he told me.”
“A future grandmother can always hope,” Anne said to Sylvia, almost smugly.
The thing about Anne, Sylvia thought, is that she was so sweet. Sylvia just loved her. They continued to paddle and float until Owen called them in.
“I’m starving,” he shouted to them. “Come in for dinner!”
Percy howled in agreement. Sylvia and Anne laughed and headed to shore. After brief showers, they fed the starving men of the household.
The next morning, Sylvia felt incredibly lazy. She slept later than usual and Owen got up to let Percy outside while she returned to sleep. It was luxurious. She woke up much later with the sun streaming through the windows. The smell of coffee wafted up the stairs and then there was Owen, spilling some as he carried a very full cup in his good hand.
“Time to wake up, Syl,” he said.
He tried to give her the cup carefully, but coffee spilled on the sheets and comforter. Sylvia reached for the cup with two hands and took a sip. It was scalding but tasted fabulous. Owen went around to the other side of the bed and carefully sat down.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I will be,” Sylvia answered, “Actually, I think I am. Being at home, sleeping next to you and getting a good night’s sleep was wonderful.”
“Good,” Owen said. “Bill called. He’s coming over in an hour.”
“What?” Sylvia cried. She gulped more coffee. “No rest for the weary, eh?”
“Bill’s cool,” Owen said. “Mom’s got brunch handled. You can come down when you want to.”
Sylvia stared at the bottom of her now empty coffee cup. “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” she promised Owen, “especially, if you can bring me another cup of coffee?” she asked pleadingly.
“Be happy to,” he told her and gave her a swift kiss.
Sylvia went down a few minutes later. Owen had been correct, Anne had brunch handled and did not need or want any help from her. Sylvia took her at her word and went to finish her coffee on the couch where Owen was seated.
Bill arrived. “Hey, Bro!” he greeted Owen enthusiastically but avoided giving Owen a manly slap on the back when he saw the lump of bandages.
Bill gave Sylvia a huge hug and a kiss on her cheek. Owen introduced Anne to Bill.
Anne offered him a Bloody Mary, but he declined, asking if he could indulge in a beer instead. Sylvia went to get him one which he opened and quaffed a huge gulp.
Bill often talked
with his hands and he waved them now, asking what happened. Owen gave him a brief version of the story. Bill shook his head, muttering, “Unbelievable, man. Unbelievable.”
Sylvia, weary of their story turned the conversation to Bill asking him what he had been doing this summer.
“Just got back from Maui!” Bill exclaimed enthusiastically. “Amazing trip. I took a group of students to find tardigrades.”
“What’s a tardigrade?” Sylvia asked.
Bill laughed, “A tardigrade is a very cool micro-organism. They sort of look like a live gummy bear. In fact, they call them water bears or moss piglets. You can find them in every phylum in the world. They’re nearly indestructible and they come up on those extreme animal shows all the time. I won a grant so it was a perfect opportunity. And, Maui rocks, to say the least!” He continued talking about the tardigrades and the experiments and pulled up a photograph of one on his phone, along with photos of the students working in Maui on the project.
Anne left for a few minutes and went to the kitchen. She returned to say brunch was ready. Sylvia went to the kitchen to assist with placing things on the table. Anne brought in a platter of crisp bacon and sizzling sausage. Sylvia carried in a pan of oven baked cinnamon French toast. She was practically drooling by the time she brought it to the table. Anne returned to the kitchen for butter, syrup, and whipped cream.
As they served themselves, Bill asked Sylvia if she had been dowsing since he last saw her. She flushed a little and shook her head. She didn’t want to think of the kidnapping today.
“But, you’re a natural!” Bill insisted. “I was thinking of having one of the “Science and Spirit” seminars on dowsing. What do you say? Would you be willing to help?”
“Sure,” Sylvia answered tentatively. “I guess so.” She took a bite of the French toast and found it was stuffed with a sweet, warm, cream cheese filling. It was divine. She almost groaned.
Sylvia asked Bill, “Do you have a list of topics for the Spirit and Science seminars this year?”
Bill became animated again. “When I was in Maui, I met Garret Lisi!”
The Blossoming: The Third book in The Green Man Series Page 17