Dream a Little Dream of Me

by Daniels, Cobie

  “Of course you do; do you want to race to it?” Stopping and putting her hands on her hips with her cream cable knit sweater wrapped around her waist, she pulled the tip of her sunglasses down the edge of her nose. “You can’t be serious? You’re carrying the picnic basket and blanket.”

  “I am beyond serious.”

  “We can’t because, if I drop my camera and it breaks, I’ll never get some of these pictures back.”

  He wasn’t going to let her get off that easy. “You’re scared you’ll lose.”

  Sounding a bit more annoyed, she responded, “No, I don't want to break my camera.”

  “Okay, sure, whatever you say.”

  With a huff of air through her nose she yelled, “Fine! On your mark, get set, go!” She wrapped the neck strap from her Nikon around her wrist and took off.

  “That is not fair, and you know it.” Gareth yelled.

  Shouting back over her shoulder, Kelsey taunted, “What? Scared you’re going to lose?” She dug in deep and prayed she didn't fall and dash her camera against the large rocks that were present all around her. Suddenly the sand and the water were in view, and they reached the edge of the path as it spilled onto the beach. Completely out of fuel, she collapsed on her knees into the sand, trying to find her breath. Gareth was seconds behind when he too collapsed on the sand next to her. She felt some triumph that he, though in excellent shape, was obviously winded. “That…was so unfair, and you know it. I’m completely knackered.”

  “Hey, it was your idea,” she shot back in between breaths. Sitting there for what felt like an eternity, Kelsey put her camera back over her neck and slowly stood up. “Come on. There are some large boulders we can go sit on out there, and I can get more pictures,” she said, reaching out her hand to pull him up. He grabbed on, and she anchored herself so that he could stand.

  As they approached the middle of the beach, Kelsey turned and noticed the size of the bluffs that perched along the walking trail over the bay. Stunned by the view, she grabbed her camera and started taking pictures of her new perspective. Gareth climbed onto the large rock and watched her. Kelsey kicked off her shoes and socks. “I’m going to get my feet wet and take some pictures.” Gareth nodded that he heard her, and she set off.

  Surrounded by the sound of the waves hitting the shore, the sea gulls squealing their protest with one another, Kelsey continued to click away. The sun had begun its decent to the west, and the wind was a breeze, not a gale, making the temperature perfect. The water was colder than she was expecting, so she made her way back to the rocks where she dried off her feet with her socks and put her shoes back on.

  Gareth clearly recognized this as another moment with Kelsey that he’d treasure. What made it even more meaningful was that this was a moment he didn’t feel guilty about, now that she knew how he really felt. A giant weight had been lifted, and he’d never been so grateful. Kelsey came over to the large boulder and leaned against it. If only they’d met before Jason, maybe he would’ve had a chance. She turned to him. “Do you mind if I come up there and sit with you?” He smiled. “Not at all.” Reaching out his hand, he helped her steady herself as she climbed up and sat next to him.

  They both looked out over the vast bay. The clouds were the big billowy ones that danced across the horizon. They sat in comfortable silence for a while when Kelsey yawned. “I think last night is catching up with me. The warm sun on this rock and the waves could easily lull me to sleep.”

  “I know exactly how you feel. Let’s hop down and set up our picnic.”

  “Great idea.”

  They took their blanket back to the spot near the end of the path that still offered them a great view, but where the sand was a little dryer. They each sat on a corner of the blanket and placed their lunch basket on the opposite corner from where they sat as Gareth organized and handed out the sandwiches. Salivating over the food, Gareth breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad Roger packed these for us. I had no idea that walking three miles would cause me to be this hungry.” Kelsey laughed, “Well, don’t forget that I did beat you in a race.” “Ha ha, you’re very funny” sardonically rolled out of his mouth.

  They feasted and were quiet once again until Kelsey, finishing her sandwich and taking a drink of her bottled water, lay back on the blanket and looked up at the sky. “Oh, Gareth, look at the view from here.” She patted the spot next to her. Finishing his sandwich and water, he lay next to her. Kelsey pointed up. “Look.” He was astounded at the perspective. It was truly beautiful. He turned his head to look at her as she gazed up, counting the clouds rolling by and the shape they were in. She smelled of vanilla, and her creamy skin and caramel hair took his breath away. “Gareth?” “Yes, Kelsey?” “I want you to know that if this had been another time…if my life wasn’t already on the path that it’s on and this summer had happened, I would’ve given you my heart. I have no doubt.” She reached over and placed her hand on top of his. He grabbed it and brought it to his lips, kissing it and placing it back beside them without letting go. “I have no doubt either, my darling.”

  They lay there for another fifteen minutes when Gareth realized that Kelsey had dozed off. Laying on his side, using his hand to rest his head, he stared at her and the gentle rising of her chest. He let her rest a while longer and moved pieces of hair off her face when the wind blew it across. Knowing it was getting late, he sat up and began to pull their things together. When it was time to pack the blanket, he leaned over her and whispered her name while touching her shoulder. Quietly turning her head, she looked over at him. She could see the sadness on his face when he began to speak, “Regrettably, we must head back. By the time we hike back to the Defender and get back to the inn, it’ll be time for our final dinner, leaving us just enough time to pack so we can leave after breakfast tomorrow.”

  Slowly sitting up, she agreed. “Let’s get ready, then.” As they made their way back up the path, Kelsey yelled, “Wait! Gareth, let’s take a picture of us together. Here! Hold the camera up with your long arms, and snap it with the beach and water in the background. Like we did at the farm a couple of weeks ago.” He did as she asked, and they crossed their fingers it would turn out okay.

  Handing her camera back to her, he looked at Kelsey and, in a kind and sincere voice, said, “I will never forget this day as long as I live, Kelsey Chapman from America.” She kept his gaze and responded with a gentle voice, “Nor I, Gareth Blythe from England.”

  They were halfway back to the inn when the heaviness of her imminent departure in a week started to creep in. While their trip had gone nothing like he’d expected, he was actually grateful it all occurred the way it did. He was in love with a girl he’d never have the privilege to call his own and was now going to have to navigate through this life without her. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

  Once they had breakfast the next morning and said their goodbyes to Pam and Roger, they made it to the first ferry of the day that would return them to the mainland. Kelsey sat over in the passenger seat and finished the book Gareth had given her the day they set out.

  “Well, did you like it?” he asked her.

  Looking up, she rewarded him with a smile. “What an amazing story. It just confirms that horses are truly the greatest creatures God ever graced this earth with. Well, next to dogs, of course.”

  They sat in silence together for a moment before Kelsey slipped out, “All in all, this has to have been one of my best birthday weekends ever.”

  Gareth stuttered in shock, “What? When was your birthday?”

  Kelsey calmly answered, “Friday.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “Because we never really celebrated birthdays growing up.”

  “But we would have celebrated. So…you’re nineteen now?”

  “Yes. And we did celebrate! What do you call that incredible trip? I couldn’t have planned a better birthday myself.”

  Gareth pulled the car over on the side of the quiet road.
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  “What are you doing?” Kelsey asked.

  Gareth didn’t answer; he just got out and walked to the back of the vehicle, opened the back, and pulled something out of his bag. When he returned to his seat beside her, he handed her a smallish-sized, square parcel, wrapped in brown paper.

  “What’s this?”

  “I’m sorry it’s not wrapped better. I was intending for it to be a going away present, but since your birthday deserves real celebrating, we’ll say it’s a ‘happy last year in your teens’ gift.”

  Kelsey stared for a moment at the gift. “Gareth, you didn’t have to do anything for me. You’ve done enough the past eleven weeks.”

  “Just open it, Kelsey.”

  As she pulled the paper back, she saw the canvas of the town square she’d admired.

  “Gareth! You really really shouldn’t have!”

  “But do you like it?”

  Kelsey unbuckled so that she could lean over and give him a tight hug. “I love it. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  Gareth breathed deeply to save the feeling of her embrace in his mind and in his heart. When she finally pulled away, she buckled and sat staring at the canvas as Gareth got them back on the road. Full of sadness and joy, they continued on in silence when he finally asked the question he’d wanted to ask all weekend, “Kelsey, what are you going to miss most about your time here?”

  Biting her lip and looking out the front window, she pondered his question for a moment. “The past eleven months of my life have been life-changing. The past eleven weeks have shown me a whole new world that I had no idea existed. The classes have made me a sharper and more focused artist. However, in the end, what I will miss the most are my conversations with Camilla over tea. But mostly—I’ll miss you, Gareth.” Turning her head from him, she looked out the passenger window to avoid him seeing the tears. She wanted to toss the question back to him, but he’d already explained everything in the beautiful letter he’d written her.

  Shortly there after, they stopped for petrol. Though she was tired, Kelsey asked Gareth to stop periodically so she could take photos of the countryside landscapes. Gareth suggested they break to have lunch at a quaint pub along the way. Neither one seemed in a hurry for the trip to end. They made it home before seven. As they walked into the house, Camilla greeted them both with hugs. “I’ll put the kettle on right away; I want to hear all about it.”

  Quietly Kelsey asked, “Camilla, if you don’t mind, I could really use a hot bath and some rest. Can I tell you about it tomorrow after school?” Looking a bit puzzled but understanding, she responded, “Of course, darling. I’m sure you’re exhausted after a jam-packed weekend.” Kelsey sent her a grateful smile and made her way up the stairs. Camilla looked at her son, sending him a pleading look for that cup of tea. “One cup, and that is all,” Gareth told her. Satisfied that a look only a mother could give had just worked on her son, they walked into the kitchen where Gareth sat down as his mother put the kettle on. “When did you tell her?”

  Gareth looked up in surprise. “How do you know I told her?”

  Camilla shot him a look. “A mum always knows. How did she take it?”

  Gareth leaned his arms on the table and looked out the back window into the yard that had a sliver of remaining light cast into the garden. “She took it well, actually. I mean, under the circumstances.”

  Camilla carefully asked, “What did she say?”

  Rubbing his shadowed chin Gareth shared, “At first she was angry, and she cried, a lot. Then she yelled at me for even saying Jason’s name when I tried to apologize for not telling her sooner, and then I gave her the letter I wrote her.”

  Dropping the tea bag to the floor, Camilla quietly croaked out, “You wrote her a letter?”

  Nodding his head, Gareth continued, “I did, and I’m very relieved that I did. What was remarkable was that I fully expected her to want to pack up and come home first thing yesterday, but after reading the letter, she very sweetly sent me a note under my door and asked that we spend our last day together as the dear friends that we’d become.”

  The kettle whistled, and Camilla poured the water in a teapot, placed the pot beside two cups on a tray, and then walked over to the table. Sitting down, she looked at Gareth and placed her hand on his. “I imagine she just needed some time to herself tonight. Surely you can understand?” Nodding his head, he said, “Perhaps.” When the tea had steeped, Camilla poured some for each of them. He put in two spoonsful of sugar and stirred. “There will never be another Kelsey Chapman,” he said, breathing out as he desperately tried not to choke on the lump wedged in his throat. He and his mother sat at the table and finished up their one cup of tea in the safe and quiet cover of his childhood home.

  * * *

  The Final Week

  Monday greeted Kelsey with the overcast clouds typical of any English day. Camilla had left a note that she had an early board meeting. Kelsey went about making the tea and toast that she’d grown so very comfortable doing in this kitchen. She was trying for a quick breakfast as she was apprehensive to see what her final scores were for her projects. As she finished and grabbed her rain slicker and umbrella, Gareth came down stairs. She smiled when she saw him. “I’m so anxious to see my grades! Do you think you can give me a lift from school today? This weather is not supposed to improve and carrying my artwork home in this could ruin it.” Gareth nodded his head yes but remained quiet. Kelsey starred back. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but deep down she knew. “What time should I look for you?” he asked quietly “Two o’clock.” With that she opened the front door. “Thank you, Gareth. See you in a little while.” She shut the door behind her, and he knew that staying at his mother’s house until Kelsey’s departure was no longer an option.

  He went upstairs and packed a bag. Coming back downstairs he called his mother’s secretary at the school and asked her to pass the message on that Kelsey would need a ride at two p.m. He grabbed his keys and made his way to his on-campus apartment. Four more nights remained; after that, maybe life would return back to normal.

  At half past two, Kelsey stood on the sidewalk with the re-wrapped painting of Gareth. She’d gotten an A on both her projects. The stained glasses window she’d created was going to remain in the art department until Thursday when the all of the exchange students would assemble for the big reveal to their host families. She was so thrilled to surprise Gareth when she got home. Gosh, I hope he likes it, she thought to herself. It was really unusual for him to be late, she kept thinking. A moment later, she looked at her watch then back up to see Camilla pull up in her Rover. A bit confused but still happy a ride had shown up, she opened the passenger door to the car. “Are you my ride?”

  Shaking her head yes, Camilla explained, “I’m so sorry I’m late. Gareth had a message sent to me you needed a ride, and I just got it! I was in meetings all day!”

  “Is he okay?” she asked aloud before she could stop herself.

  “Why don’t you hop in, and we can talk on the way home.” As they drove, Camilla asked, “May I speak freely with you?”

  Kelsey looked out the window, and she responded quietly, “Did he tell you?”

  Waiting for just a moment to answer, Camilla explained, “Actually, I realized it the day he took you riding. It caught me by surprise.”

  Kelsey could feel the sting of tears in her eyes as she let out a snarky response, “Ha, well that makes two of us.” As she used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes, she continued, “I never meant for this to happen. I truly thought we’d become amazing friends. I talk to you and Gareth all the time about Jason. Even when I called home, I’d always give a report or update on my family. I never meant to give the impression I wanted anything more. I care for Gareth so dearly, and I never wanted this to happen.”

  As they pulled into the driveway, Camilla put the vehicle in park and looked over at Kelsey. “I don’t blame you at all, Kelsey, for what’s happened. Gareth is my precious son, and he’s
had a rough year and a half. I think you were the first person to come along and help him realize there was life outside his grief. My word, dear girl, you’ve helped me more than you will ever know.” Kelsey looked up in surprise as Camilla continued, “I won’t speak for his heart. I know all too well the heart wants what the heart wants, but hopefully, with time, he’ll be able to move on.” Kelsey was barely holding it together when Camilla dropped the final bomb on her. “Gareth feels it would be better that he stays at his apartment on campus until Friday. He didn’t have the heart to tell you this morning or tell you he wouldn't be picking you up. This doesn’t make me happy, as I don’t blame you in the least for any of this; however, you and I know that, in the end, this is the best.”

  Kelsey slumped back in her seat; she could feel the tears and the weeping that needed to come out beating down the wall of her chest. “I understand, Camilla.” She opened her door, grabbed her bag and painting out of the back seat, and made her way to her room where she collapsed across the bed and wept until she fell asleep. Sometime around nine, a soft knock on the door and Camilla’s voice startled Kelsey out of her sleep. “Kelsey? Darling, I’m just checking on you. May I open the door?” Letting out a soft yes and sitting up, Kelsey watched as Camilla opened the door, letting the light from the hallway bleed in and guide her where she sat on the edge of the bed.

  “I made some supper and can reheat it for you.”

  Clearing her throat, Kelsey responded, “I’m not very hungry.”

  Camilla nodded her head in understanding “Would you like a cup of tea and maybe a biscuit? Surely that would make you feel better.” Kelsey smiled as she realized one of the things she’d come to adore and was going to truly miss about the English culture: there was nothing in this world that a good cup of tea couldn’t fix or heal.

  “Actually, Camilla, a cup of tea sounds truly perfect right now.”

  “Wonderful, I’ll make my way to the kitchen and have it ready when you come down.”