by Katie Curtis
Andrew smiled at Henry, his hair as messy as usual, his eyes crinkling on the sides as he smiled at the little boy and helped him on board. “Here you go, squirt,” he said as he put on a tiny life jacket and a captain’s hat on his head. “You ready to go on a boat ride?”
Henry squealed and shouted, “Yes, I am!” before he ran to the wheel of the boat and pretended to steer. They pulled out of the harbor, the waves hitting the boat as they sped up across the water toward the Pemaquid Lighthouse. “Whoa,” said Henry. “Are we gonna go fast?”
“You bet we are, Henry. You ready to go get some lobster? You want to help me drive?” Henry shouted yes loud enough to be heard in Canada, and helped Andrew steer. Anna and Marie sat down across from a pile of traps.
“How are you feeling?” Anna asked her.
“Okay,” Marie said. “I am super nauseous but if I sleep enough and eat crackers around the clock, I’ll survive. I hopefully only have a few more weeks of it.”
Anna thought about being on a boat at sea when you were already nauseous and felt pity for her sister. “It doesn’t sound fun.”
“No, it’s not. But when I realize what a miracle it is that we found out about everything, I can’t really complain about anything. I’ll take a little nausea instead of what could have been.” Anna stared out at the water. Silently, she wondered what her test results would be. What if she couldn’t have kids? She tried hard not to wrap her head around it because it hurt too much. And she tried instead to be grateful, like Marie was doing, that she was together with Andrew. The fact that he had already declared they would make it through whatever news they got, and adoption was always an option, made Anna’s heart skip a beat. She was in love with such a good man.
They pulled up to the blue and white buoys in front of the lighthouse, and he asked Henry if he wanted to help him pull them up. “Oh boy, I’m going to catch a lobster!” Henry shouted.
“Yes you are,” said Andrew. They pulled the trap up, and there, sitting in the trap, was a blue lobster.
“What the….” Andrew gasped. “No way!”
“What is it?” asked Henry. “Is it a lobster?”
“Yes, it’s a lobster, all right.” Andrew said in awe. “A very special one, that is very rare.” Anna stared at the blue shell on the squirming creature. “Think it’s a good luck charm, Anna?” Andrew said laughing, the wind blowing his hair.
Anna stared in disbelief at the trap. “A blue lobster. I can’t believe it,” Anna said, laughing. She hoped it was an answer from the universe about what she had been silently thinking about. Good luck does happen.
“Do you think a genetic mutation makes our luck?” Marie said. “I hope not.”
It took Anna a minute to realize what she meant. She put her arms around her sister. “I’m sorry hon.”
Marie sighed. “I don’t mean to be a downer. I guess it does get to you after a while. Plus I’m pregnant. I’m overly emotional about everything. But I’m especially touchy about mutant genes.” She laughed and hugged Anna back, then looked at the lobster with Henry.
“What do you think, bud?” she asked.
“More lobsters!” said Henry.
“The kid is right,” said Andrew. “Let’s get some more lobsters! We’ll get some pictures when we get back to the dock.” Andrew pointed out the buoys with his father’s blue and white marking to Henry and told him to count how many of those he could see. Marie helped him as they trolled up to each. Andrew turned to Anna and put his arm around her. “Remember the first time we met?”
“Of course I do,” she answered smiling.
“I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world looking over that lobster that summer.” Anna smiled at his bright red cheeks, twinkling blue eyes, and rubbed the reddish-brown stubble he let grow during the summer, and put her head on his shoulder. Suddenly, she knew what her next painting would be for her collection.
Chapter 28
Five Months Later
“Darling, come over here, I want you to meet someone,” Genevieve called over to Anna. It was only the hundredth time she had done this in the last hour. They were at an outside party next to the gallery where the official Art Basel paintings were on display, letting people wander through the show in between drinking cocktails and eating canapés. Anna was waiting for the young, inebriated crowd to wind up in the pools they were surrounded by, but on the whole the art show was a big fun party.
“Wait here,” Anna said to Andrew, “and if anyone walks by with meat on a stick, grab it for me please. I’ll be right back.” She was smiling as she made her way around the pool to Genevieve.
“This is the artist, Anna Goodrich,” Genevieve said as she put her arm around Anna. “Anna, this is Steven Bennington and Mort Shapiro, and they love what you’ve done. They are building a few new hotels and they are hoping you might be able to provide them with some statement pieces for their lobbies.” Genevieve loved this part. Anna, not so much. But she loved Genevieve.
“Thank you, gentleman. I’m just happy to be here. This is my first time in Miami, and I love it.” Anna smiled. After all of her worries, she was genuinely thrilled to be here. Especially since she came here with Andrew.
“You must have had an amazing childhood, painting with your mother. It’s a lovely story,” the one named Mort said.
Anna smiled. Feeling like her life was boiled down to a great PR pitch stung a little, but she was too happy right now to let it bother her completely. “It was, she was a lovely mother and we miss her so. But it feels great to celebrate her in this way.”
“You’re a natural at this schmoozing part,” Genevieve gushed in her ear as she was pulled away by a group of people. “Thank you for not hating me.” Anna smiled at her friend.
Andrew strolled up to them. He looked so handsome after getting plenty of sun on his face fishing in the Everglades all day yesterday while Anna hung her works with Genevieve. “Sorry to interrupt, but guess who’s here?” Anna looked around and saw from the other side of the pool; her father was strolling towards them.
“Excuse me, gentleman. So glad to have met you both,” Anna said, shaking their hands.
She walked over and hugged him. “I can’t believe you actually made it! How was the flight?”
“It was great - Miami is so easy from Portland. Not sure why I haven’t done this more often.”
“That’s great dad,” Anna said. She couldn’t believe how much he had changed in the last few months. He looked so relaxed and happy.
“Enough about me, though. Anna, I just looked over your collection. I am blown away,” he said. “And seeing your collection with your mother’s pieces,” he said, choking up. “You were right about finding your path. You did it your way, and I couldn’t be more proud of you.” He held up his glass to hers, and toasted her.
Anna blushed. It was so amazing to her that her father was here, supporting her. She was thrilled he liked the show with her mom’s art. When she had first looked at their exhibit, with her mom’s paintings side by side with hers, it had been surreal. It was almost like a dream, like she was right back where she had started, painting in the barn, with her canvas next to her mother’s. Now that her dad had seen it too, it felt even sweeter. The night couldn’t be more perfect. The one exception was missing Marie and Stephen, but they had excellent excuses. Marie was due in a few weeks and couldn’t fly, and Stephen had declared that missing her show was the last straw – he was training his sous chef to step up more so he could be around for things like this. They could afford it now that his restaurant had taken off this past summer. And he promised by next summer he would spend a whole week with them on vacation in Maine.
“I know, I don’t know why I was so against this before,” Anna said. “Sunshine in December with lots of good food and wine? This feels pretty perfect to me right now. Of course, it could be because I live in Maine. It’s different to have a taste of all the glamour every once in a while when I know I am going to be in the pea
ce and quiet of a New England winter next week.”
“Well, maybe you can join us next month for a bit of glamour in Boston,” her father said. “We are invited to a fundraiser at the Berkley School of Music, and I would love for you to be there.”
“Sure,” Anna said. “But why are you invited there?”
“Because we started a scholarship there. The Sheila M. Goodrich piano scholarship. With Charlie’s money,” said her father.
Anna sighed and smiled. “Wow, dad, what a perfect idea. What did Aunt Catherine say about it?”
“Oh, it was my idea but we both went in on it,” he smiled. “It’s never too late to do the right thing, right?” He winked at Anna. “Now, where is Genevieve? I want to meet the woman who is responsible for all of this.”
As if on cue, Genevieve strolled over to where they were standing.
“Don’t tell me, Anna,” she said, taking a sip of Champagne. “This must be your father. Delighted to meet you.”
“Likewise. I can’t thank you enough for giving my daughter this opportunity,” he said. Anna couldn’t believe how positive he was. Such a change in their relationship from six months ago.
“I can’t thank you enough for raising such an artist,” Genevieve said. “So when am I going to visit you all in Maine? I have a week in August I was hoping you could leave open for me, dear.”
“August is perfect,” Anna said. “Just in time for the nice weather and the tourists. Maybe my brother will be there then too.”
“Oh, hold on darling, Julian Schnabel’s over there and I have been dying to talk to him. Be right back,” Genevieve said as she crossed to the other side of the pool. Anna couldn’t help but smile seeing her friend so happy.
“I am dying to see a few of the other exhibits,” her father said, holding up a brochure about the show. “Although I can tell you a few that I am going to be more than happy to skip. I do have to question some of their choices of artists. Garbage bags and spray paint just sounds horrible. But I’m going to run and see a few other artists. Can I meet you two later for dinner?” her father said. No matter how much he changed this year, he wasn’t going to change his attitude on the art world.
Anna laughed. “Sure thing Dad, we’ll meet you by the pool in an hour?”
They waved him off, and she turned to Andrew and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for being here too. It means everything, having you with me. I couldn’t have imagined doing this alone.” He smiled at her and kissed her.
Genevieve came up next to them. “Ok, love birds. How do you feel about coming with me to a big party later with Heidi Klum and Leo DiCaprio?”
Anna and Andrew looked at each other. “No thanks,” Anna said. “We’re good.”
“What? What do you mean? It’s Leo Friging DiCaprio?”
“We’re Mainers, Genevieve. We can’t keep up with New York or Hollywood. At least I came to the show!” Anna laughed at her friend as she rolled her eyes and walked away.
The rest of the weekend was a blur. Anna was exhausted by the time they got to the airport, but Andrew seemed to be buzzing with excitement to return home. He was extremely cheerful as they packed up their hotel room and cabbed over to the airport. As they waited to board their plane, they sat by a Christmas tree studded with red and silver ornaments. Anna started at the reflection of people walking past in the ornaments while she sipped her coffee. “What do you want for Christmas, Andrew?” she asked.
“You,” he said as he kissed the top of her head.
Anna slept the whole flight home, Andrew stroking her dark hair. When they got back to Portland, it was snowing. They pulled out their winter coats from their suitcases and set out to explore the city, grabbing clam chowder and coffee and strolling through snowy streets and Christmas shoppers to look at the art galleries and shops there. Spending the afternoon together, unfettered, walking aimlessly, without hurry, after such an intense busy period felt sweetly peaceful. Anna felt like she could reach out and touch her happiness, like the snow.
They finally got back to Pemaquid late afternoon, just before the sun was setting. Andrew drove up to Uncle Charlie’s house, which had a snowy dusting covering the driveway and a lone wreath on the door that Anna had put up before they left. Even though it was freezing out and a shock to their sun-warmed bodies, he asked Anna to come down to the dock with him for a minute. The late sunlight slanted across the frozen dock as they walked down to the wooden bench next to the boat house at the end of the dock. As they sat looking out at the ocean, the peace of being back home lapping at their hearts like the waves against the rocks below, Anna sighed a deeply happy sigh.
“You know what would be great?” he asked, looking out at the water.
“What’s that?” Her hands were wrapped around his, her head resting on his chest.
“Well, since everyone is coming up next summer, why don’t we just give them a wedding to attend?” he said, his face serious.
Anna stopped and looked up at Andrew. “What?”
“That is, if you will marry me?” he asked, his eyes shining, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth. Anna looked down. He was holding open a mussel shell, and in it was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. “I asked your dad in Miami, and he gives his full blessing.”
So many thoughts flashed through her mind jumbled together, but they all merged into one thought. Him. As her husband. “Oh, my gosh, Andrew. Yes, of course I will!” Anna cried, kissing him repeatedly, then looking down at her hand where he had placed the ring on her finger, and then kissing him again.
“I wanted to ask you for months but you were so busy getting ready for the show and I was finishing up my semester. I wanted to wait until all of it was completely over and we were back right here, where we belong. I am so proud of you, Anna. I can’t believe I will be lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with you, as my wife.” He kissed her just as tears sprang to her eyes.
“I am the lucky one, Andrew.” She smiled. “You gave me another chance. And brought in the best, truest happiness I could have ever hoped to find in my life. Thank you. Thank you for loving me.” She kissed him until their breath hung in clouds all around them, and they laughed as the cold air started to freeze their hands and noses. They went inside to light a fire, even though they were already lit from within.
The next day, as they ate a celebratory brunch at a cafe in Damariscotta, Mike called to say that Marie was in labor. She was a week early, but Anna was so glad she had waited until they returned from Miami to have the baby. They came over quickly to watch Henry, and then distracted him by taking him out to lunch at the coffee shop and playing at the train table at the bookstore downtown. Anna glancing at her phone eagerly. Finally, she got the call. Baby girl Therese Marie – Tessie for short - was here and they were all healthy. Marie would take a quick nap, and they could come see her after dinner.
When they reached the hospital, Henry ran ahead of them down the corridor carrying a pink balloon and teddy bear for his new sister. Anna held Andrew’s hand with one hand and roses with the other, her heart bursting with joy at this moment in time. They walked into the room, and Anna kissed Marie hello and looked down at the beautiful little baby in the bassinet. Her charms were endless, her long eyelashes looked like caterpillars, and her thin coating of fuzzy black hair made her look like a princess. She was beautiful.
Anna stared at her face for what seemed like an eternity. Just then, Mike walked in the room. “Hey Anna! Andrew! Thanks so much for taking care of Henry,” Mike said, every ounce the proud papa, kissing their cheeks, beaming. “Hey buddy! Want to meet your new sister?”
“Hold on, let me get some pictures,” Anna said as Mike sat Henry next to Marie on the bed. Henry reached out and touched her tiny nose and eyes. “Gentle, buddy, we can’t touch her eyes,” Marie said.
“Congratulations, she’s so beautiful you guys.” Anna gushed.
“Thanks. We feel so unbelievably lucky right now,” Mike said sweetly. Her sister’s test r
esults had brought out a compassionate side of Mike that made Anna so happy for her to have him.
“Her nose is so tiny!” Henry shrieked, making them all laugh.
“Did you tell them the great news?” Andrew asked, taking the baby out of Anna’s hands. He looked so sweet with her, Anna had to take deep breaths.
“We got engaged!” she said, holding up her ring.
“Oh, Anna that is fantastic,” Marie smiled. The winter sunlight streamed into the room as the sun was setting and the fragrance from the roses filled the air. The baby started to fuss and Andrew started to bounce the baby on his shoulder, which soothed her immediately.
Anna sat down next to her sister on the side of the bed to show her the ring, and then took her hand. “So how was it? Having a baby?”
Marie looked back up at her, and put her head back on the pillow. “It’s absolutely amazing. Hurt like hell when we got here, but thank God for epidurals. And then, seeing her face, and having her nurse right away, I just can’t even describe it. I feel like my heart exists outside my chest, for the second time.” She glanced up from the baby, and looked Anna in the eye. “I am so glad it’s still possible for you one day, Anna.”
Anna smiled and nodded. “I still can’t help but feel sort of guilty that my test results came back negative for the gene.”