One by one, her colleagues emerged into the airport waiting area. They too were dutifully welcomed by Steven and Gail. Jocelyn offered heartfelt thanks to the Van Wormers for safeguarding her belongings. After Jack and Jocelyn finished exchanging pleasantries with Marcie's folks, they loaded up with their mountain of luggage, preparing to depart for the main terminal to check in for their flights home. Before they could get away, however, Marcie embraced each of them. She choked back a sob while trying to smile, and admonished, “You guys better write to me or I’ll be pissed, and I expect both of you to come visit me if at all possible, capiche?”
Jocelyn, in particular, reciprocated those sentiments. She held Marcie’s hands in the manner of a loving older sister, and told her in heartfelt words how much she appreciated the time they’d spent together. “You be sure to write to me too,” she said as she finally let go and hefted her rucksack, “that’s what best friends do.”
Gail watched the interplay among the four students with considerable interest. The pre-departure dynamic she’d noted back in June appeared to have changed significantly. Of course, she’d read Marcie’s letters, and they had spoken briefly by satellite phone about every two weeks or so. Their daughter had kept her and Steven well informed of what had gone on at the archeological site. But Gail was the type of person who could learn far more about how Marcie's and the other students' lives had changed by watching the way they interacted, by reading between the lines. She knew that, in general, her stepdaughter had enjoyed her time in that remote place. However, she also knew how living in close proximity to a small subset of others, in a confined environment, always resulted in interesting friendships, interactions, and, oftentimes, conflicts. This group, it seemed, had grown very close.
One prominent physical change she’d noted right away, dealt with Jocelyn’s appearance. Her hair was much shorter than it had been when she left. A perceptive person like Gail knew it was a big deal for a woman to trim her locks like that. Primitive bathing facilities could account for it, but there was something else about the girl that accompanied her new look; she seemed friendlier, more gracious, and it was obvious that she and Jack had grown particularly close.
Gail also pondered the warm hugs Marcie had given the older students as a sendoff. There was no remaining evidence of her crush on Jack. And what circumstances had transpired to bring the four of them into such close friendship? Gail Van Wormer knew something profound had happened on that island, something Marcie had yet to reveal. But Gail wouldn’t pressure her stepdaughter to mention anything she didn’t want to. “It may be best that what happened at Eviskar, must stay at Eviskar,” she thought.
There were also real indications of just how much more mature her stepdaughter had grown. She wasn’t the naïve little girl who’d once fretted at length about which headlamp to buy or what songs she would download for the trip. Now, she exuded real confidence and was considerably more outgoing.
Maybe it had to do with Marcie’s exploits in helping that poor woman, Debbie Holloway, who’d fallen and been hurt so badly. Steven had been so worried when he’d found out about the accident, he’d begun to make arrangements to go to Eviskar himself. However, once he knew she was all right, he’d settled down and cancelled his trip, and when the details came describing his daughter’s first aid heroics, that she’d saved the woman’s life, he’d swelled with pride. That had been a watershed moment for both parents. They realized that not only had Marcie survived that ordeal, she was the one who had stepped up and dealt with adversity in level-headed and life-saving fashion.
They had received a lengthy letter from Debbie several weeks after the accident, describing firsthand what had happened and how grateful she was for the remarkable care Marcie had given her. Gail swore that the moment Steven read that letter was the greatest thrill he’d ever experienced, even surpassing the joy she’d seen in his eyes the day they were married. Poor Marcie had no idea what her dad had in store for her on the train ride home. The interrogation would be intense, relentless.
* * *
“Ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments we’ll begin boarding American Airlines flight 471 non-stop to Cleveland through gate twelve.” The flight attendant summoned those travelling with small children and those requiring assistance, to the check-in podium. Jack and Jocelyn stood and stretched.
“I’m going to miss you, Jack.” There were tears rolling freely down Jocelyn’s cheeks as she helped him put on his backpack.
“Hey, we’ll see each other soon. I’ve been told Corpus Christi is a lot warmer than Cleveland during the holidays. Would you mind having a ‘Damn Yankee’ visitor around then?”
“I’d like that,” she beamed. “I’ll have to convince my friends that you’re okay, though. Some of them have this idea that Yankee visitors are like hemorrhoids:” She put her arms around his neck, “they’re a pain in the ass when they come down and it’s a real relief when they go back up.”
“If you’d prefer I didn’t come, then…”
“No, no, please, I want you to visit. I’ll make sure we have plenty of ‘Preparation H’ on hand. Everything will be fine.”
Jack smiled, “I hate to change the subject, but what are your plans for when you get back? You can’t discuss any of the important stuff that happened back at Eviskar, not yet anyway.”
Jocelyn took a deep breath. “The first thing I have to do is to make things right with some folks. I owe apologies to a number of people. Then, I’ll have my hands full, what with school work and applying to colleges.”
“Where have you decided to go? I know your grades are first rate, Jossy. I bet you’ll have your pick of schools.”
“Actually, I’m leaning strongly towards a small school up in Minnesota. I’m pretty close with the wife of a professor of archeology there. They have a strong biology department and some great study abroad programs for students who are interested in languages.” She took Jack’s hand, “No pressure, but would you ever consider attending a school like that? Debbie says they’re well known in physics and astronomy.”
Jack hadn’t expected the question. He looked away, embarrassed, and caught the eye of an elderly woman, wearing a Cleveland Indians ball cap, standing behind him. The woman smiled at him and nodded.
It’s impossible to carry on a private conversation in a crowded airport, he fretted. A sense of déjà vu swept through him as well. Although he wasn’t particularly superstitious, he hoped the woman in the ball cap wouldn’t be seated near him. Collecting his thoughts, he replied to Jocelyn’s question. “That’s a great idea,” he said, “assuming I can qualify for enough financial aid.”
“And don’t forget about our date.”
“What date?”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes in mock aggravation, “Don’t you remember? August 12, 2026, in Olafsvik, Iceland.”
“Oh yeah, I’d nearly forgotten about that. Of course I’d like to go, but twelve years is a long time, Jossy. Who knows what…”
She put a finger to his lips. “Yes or no, Jacek Malinowski. Nothing on this earth will stop me from going if I know you’ll be there.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we will begin general boarding of flight 471 starting with rows 29 through 36. Will all passengers seated in those rows please present your boarding passes now.”
“That’s me,” Jack noted. He and Jocelyn maneuvered towards the back of the quickly growing line. He gave her a hug. “I’ll be there. You can count on it.”
Inside the plane, Jack took his seat and stuffed his backpack under the seat in front. In a couple hours, he’d be home. Now that was a surreal thought. Since leaving the shores of Eviskar, he’d travelled for two days through rough seas, landed in several major airports, bid farewell to three others who’d become his closest friends and was now minutes from sitting at the kitchen table in his parents’ house. Soon he’d be talking about his experiences abroad—most of them anyway. He’d also be back at school in only two days. Strangely enough, that last
thought appealed to him. He needed to return to a routine; he needed some time to decompress.
Jocelyn’s question about his educational future was stuck in Jack’s mind. It was a subject he hadn’t contemplated for several months now, but he would have to address it soon enough. He closed his eyes and relaxed. First and foremost, he decided, before dozing off, he would plan a trip to Corpus Christi, Texas. After that he’d turn his attention to college.
Something bumped Jack’s shoulder. He turned and froze. It was the woman in the ball cap. “Pardon me,” she smiled, as she took the seat across the aisle, “I can be such a klutz.” She paused for a moment. “Was that your girlfriend back at the gate?”
“Why yes as a matter of fact,” came his guarded response. He was shocked by his own admission. It was true; she was indeed his girlfriend. He’d never had a steady girlfriend before.
“Well, I don’t mean to pry, but I hope you don’t have to wait twelve years before you see her again.”
He smiled, “I’ll try not to let that happen.”
“She’s very pretty, and I can tell she really likes you…a lot.”
The plane had finished taxiing to the head of the runway. Their conversation came to a halt as the pilot revved the engines and they accelerated down the tarmac, headed for Cleveland.
* * *
Outside, it was a beautiful fall day in the city. Rain the day before had yielded to cool air and few clouds. Although days had been long at Eviskar, the Sun was usually never more than a weak, fuzzy ball attenuated by steamy-grey cloud. Here, it shone in all its glory, warming the skin and fighting off the morning chill.
Despite the uplifting effect of the weather, the two bone-tired younger members of the Eviskar team were in somber spirits. This was it, they realized. Jocelyn and Jack were in the air, winging their way home, and in less than an hour the next Empire Express would transport Marcie and her folks to Albany. The four travelers sat on a bench outside Madison Square Garden. Spencer’s mother would meet them soon, down below in Penn central Station, but until then they had an hour to kill. Steven bought coffee, and, according to prior arrangement with his daughter, broached the subject of Spencer’s foot.
“Let me be blunt, Spencer. Marcie warned me that it might be difficult for you to talk about it, but I’d like to take you on as a patient, assuming you’re willing.”
The boy looked down, but eventually met Steven’s gaze. “If you think you can help, then, yeah, I guess, but I don’t know if I can afford it.”
“I wouldn’t think of asking for payment. If anything, Gail and I are in your debt. Marcie told us all about how you braved that hazardous climb up the cliff and found a way to summon help for Debbie and the other students. She also told me how good a friend you’ve been to her. Please allow me the satisfaction of treating your clubfoot. I must warn you, though; it will require a tremendous amount of effort on your part.”
“How so?”
“First of all, I try to avoid surgery if at all possible. We’ll use casts and a brace to gradually force the foot into proper alignment. It will involve some discomfort and it will take time, but if you’re willing to try, let’s do it.”
“Do you think it will help?”
Steven hesitated before responding. “I’ve never treated someone your age before. We’ll just have to see what happens. But I am sure of one thing, and that is—it can’t hurt to try.” He smiled, “your condition isn’t that uncommon, Spencer. A number of famous athletes have successfully overcome talipes and gone on to have very distinguished careers.”
“No offense, Dr. Van Woamah, but I’m a basketball playah. That takes a lot ‘a runnin’.”
“Troy Aikman had talipes.”
“Really?! The quarterback?”
“Yes, and Charles Woodson.”
“Don’t forget about Mia Hamm,” Marcie added.
Spencer was incredulous. “Those are supastars. I mean, they aren’t just good…they’re the best!”
“I agree, and what undoubtedly has contributed to their success is their ability to overcome injury and adversity. The character those individuals displayed in dealing with this birth defect foreshadowed the tenacity they would later exhibit to become the best in their professions. Look, Spencer, you can’t necessarily expect to become an NFL star or a World Cup champion as a result of this treatment, but I believe there is a good chance that your quality of life will improve. I’ll be back in the city for a conference the week before Columbus Day. Why don’t you come back with me to Albany the following weekend and we’ll assess your condition.”
* * *
Under the Garden, inside the bowels of Penn Central Station, a large woman dressed in a colorful robe, exited her train and walked majestically from the platform. Smiling a million dollar smile, she greeted those around her, strangers all, and received appreciative nods and smiles in return. Some people have the ability to make friends at a glance, to immediately put at ease those around them. Yolanda Bowen had this gift in abundance. As she turned heads, and as her radiance permeated the throngs of commuters in the station, she kept a watchful eye out for her son.
She soon spotted him standing by a bench in the middle of the concourse, conversing with three other people. “Spencer, my boy, welcome home!” She floated across the room with arms spread and engulfed the young man in an enormous bear hug. “And, Marcie, welcome to you as well. Spencer tell me all about your adventures. Goodness me, I need hear all about it. But first, I must have a picture. Come, all of you, Mr. and Mrs. Van Wormer—all together now, and give me a big smile.” She took several photos and then paused while she recalled and examined each one in the camera’s LCD display.
Spencer whispered to Marcie, “Before we left, I set up a Facebook account for my mom. When I went online in the airport in Reykjavik, she already had more than a hundred friends ‘an she must ‘a posted twice that many pictures. She’s hooked bad.”
“So, I guess this is it,” Marcie said solemnly, “our train leaves pretty soon; we have to get to the track.”
“Yeah, I think we betta go too.” In a bold show of affection, Spencer took hold of her hand. Blushing deeply, he changed the subject, “I can’t believe that in less than a week I’ll be writin’ one ‘a those essays—you know, ‘what I did last summah’.”
His words barely registered. Marcie’s heart was pounding. She tried to act casual, but she was now focused on the one thing that mattered—the touch of Spencer’s hand on hers.
Throughout the last weeks of their archeological project, she and Spencer had been sharing smiles and glances and trying surreptitiously to spend time together without drawing attention to their budding relationship. Of course, Jocelyn knew what was going on. Her feminine intuition had picked up the strong vibes of attraction radiating from the two soon-to-be High School sophomores. Jack knew of their close friendship as well, but his main focus at Eviskar had been on his archeological duties…and on Jocelyn—not necessarily in that order.
Marcie gave his hand a squeeze. “So, um, what are you going to say?”
“That’s a good question. I guess I can’t mention the ‘malarkey’ that almost got me killed.” They both laughed. Marcie gripped his hand more tightly. “An’ as far as the dig goes…” he shrugged, “I bet my teachers’ll be real interested in that axe head they found.”
This was it, she thought. It was now or never. On impulse, Marcie leaned forward and gave Spencer a quick kiss on the lips.
A camera flashed nearby. Yolanda Bowen sported a huge grin. “What a handsome couple,” she cooed as she scrutinized the image.
Spencer rolled his eyes. “C’mon ma, give us some privacy heah.” Turning to Marcie he said, “That’ll be on Facebook by the time you get home. Sorry. Unless I hack her account, there’s nothin’ I can do. But, speaking of Albany, I guess I’ll be up there soon.”
Tears again formed in Marcie’s eyes, but she maintained her composure. “You mean ‘Small-bany,’ that hick town up north?”
>
“That’s the one. I hear it’s a really nice place, though. Maybe I’ll start spendin’ more time up there.”
“And I should spend more time in the city—find out how you city folks live. G’bye, Spence.” She gave him a long hug that lasted through three camera flashes. She then shouldered both of her packs, took her dad’s hand in one of hers and Gail’s in the other. “C’mon, parental units; stop pretending you didn’t see that kiss and let’s go home.”
FINIS
Eviskar Island Page 30