The Best Things in Life

by Kate Sweeney

  “Yes, you do.” Linda looked at the clock. “Well, at least you can join us today. C’mon, I’m meeting Morgan for breakfast. I have a feeling she’s an early bird.”

  “Are you sure? I-I don’t want to get in the way.”

  Linda cocked her head. “Get in the way? What does that mean?”

  “Well, you’ve got the day planned, and…I have no idea what I’m saying.”

  “What now?”

  Cara looked up. “What do you mean?”

  “Are you so pensive because of what happened with Kim?”

  “Am I pensive? I guess so.”

  Cara stood and paced in front of her desk. Linda said nothing, just let her walk off whatever it was, but she glanced at her watch. Cara stopped and looked at Linda.

  “Last night, I went to the Drake. I don’t know why I did that. I saw her. I think she was out for a walk or something. She was talking to complete strangers, showing them her compass.”

  Linda threw her head back and laughed. When she noticed Cara did not share her amusement, she stopped. “Sorry. Go on.”

  “There’s nothing more. She went into the hotel, but before she did, she turned around and looked across the street where I was.”

  “Did you say anything?”

  “What could I say? Hi, I’m just stalking you from behind the newsstand. How about a drink?”

  Linda tried not to laugh. Cara looked so helpless. “Were you stalking her?”

  “No!” Cara said. “I left the restaurant and just wanted to walk, and all the sudden, there I was. I think I’m just remembering what Betty asked of me. And… Oh, I don’t know.”

  “Okay.” Linda stood. “Let’s forget all this. We have to show Morgan around, and the mayor, or someone, is giving a short speech with Marcie and her friend at City Hall at eleven. I’m sure it’ll make Morgan completely uncomfortable. Let’s go.”

  “All right. I’ll join you, if you think I won’t be in the way.”

  Linda grabbed her by the collar. “I’m going to bitch-slap you if you don’t get that whiny tone out of your voice. Where is that tough reporter who called the mayor a disastrous boob?”

  Linda pushed ahead of her. “You’re lucky he didn’t put you in Cook County.”

  *******

  They found Morgan sitting at a table by the window, gazing pensively at the garden. Linda stole a glance at Cara, who watched Morgan as they made their way to the table.

  “Good morning. Are you ready for your vacation?” Morgan pulled out a chair.

  Linda tried not to laugh at Morgan’s eagerness. She sprang up, nearly knocking over the water glass.

  “You’re not going to pull it out from under me, are you?”

  “Never.”

  “Thanks.” Cara sat, glancing at Linda. “Change of plans.”

  “I’m sorry,” Morgan said. “But I’m glad you’re here.”

  Linda said nothing; she placed the napkin in her lap and reached for the coffeepot.

  “I’m glad I’m here too.”

  Linda looked from one to the other. “Coffee?” She motioned to Cara’s cup. “Have you been waiting long?”

  “Oh, no. I’m an early riser. Had two cups of coffee already and some delicious banana bread.”

  “So, you’ve already eaten,” Linda said.

  Cara laughed while Morgan playfully glared.

  “No,” Morgan said, avoiding Cara. “I’m starving. That was just to tide me over.” She looked at Linda. “Did you look at the menu? We don’t have to eat here.”

  Linda saw Cara hide her grin. “It’s all right. Thanks, though. You get whatever you want.”

  “Are you sure?” Morgan asked.

  Linda had the feeling she already knew what she wanted to order.

  “McDonald’s or a diner would be just fine.”

  Cara nearly spit up her coffee; she wiped her chin with her napkin.

  “Not to worry,” Linda said. “The city of Chicago is paying for it, so order whatever you like. And while you’re waiting…” She pulled the newspaper out of her briefcase, handing it to Morgan.

  “Oh, is this it?” Morgan looked at both of them before taking it.

  “Yes. Hot off the presses, as they say.”

  Morgan leafed through, finding the article. “This looks even more impressive in print. I didn’t know you took photos. Mom will be upset she’s not in any of them.”

  Cara laughed. “Next time.”

  Morgan looked up. “Will there be a next time?”

  The server saved Cara from answering. After the server took their order, Linda looked at Cara. Morgan ordered eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes. And orange juice. And she ate every bit of it.

  “Amazing,” Linda said when Morgan tossed the napkin on the plate.

  “I put on weight just watching her,” Cara agreed.

  “Where do you put it?” Linda asked. “You’re in very good shape.”

  Morgan laughed and drank her coffee. “I don’t eat that much every morning. Oatmeal in the winter.”

  “Oh, you big liar,” Cara said.

  Morgan just shrugged and finished the last piece of toast.

  “I like a good breakfast.”

  “And venison stew,” Cara said to her.

  Morgan flashed a wide grin. “And venison stew.”

  Linda watched them while she drank her coffee. “I’m afraid that’s not on the breakfast menu. But oatmeal is.”

  “Don’t think I didn’t notice,” Morgan said, raising her coffee mug. “I didn’t want to eat too much. So, what’s on the schedule today?”

  “We have to be at City Hall in a half hour. Marcie and…” Linda snapped her fingers. “I can’t remember her name.”

  “I don’t remember, either,” Morgan said. “I’m just glad we came along when we did.”

  “Speaking of that, how are you feeling?” Linda asked.

  “I’m fine. The stitches came out last week.”

  “How many?” Linda asked.

  “Twenty, I think.”

  “Where?”

  “In Doc’s office.” Morgan looked up, turning bright red. “Oh, sorry. On my side.”

  “Then she reopened the wound when she had to find someone else a few days ago.”

  “Good grief. What goes on up in the boundary waters?” Linda asked.

  “It doesn’t happen that often. But sometimes, visitors don’t respect the waters.”

  “I would imagine it would be the same if someone went out on Lake Michigan and didn’t know what they were doing.”

  Morgan nodded. “Most likely. But you definitely have more access to a variety of rescue capabilities.”

  “I’ve never been that far up north,” Linda said, hailing the server. “Is it really that rugged?”

  “In some places, yes. There are islands that you can only get to by canoe. To the north of us is Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake beyond that. It’s pretty expansive. I usually pick up the clients and fly them to fishing resorts.”

  “It’s beautiful. Especially now with the autumn colors,” Cara added.

  “And the occasional aurora.” Morgan looked at Cara, who smiled.

  Linda watched the exchange and rolled her eyes. These two have got it bad.

  “This is really a pretty city and huge.” Morgan looked out the window of the cab. “Do you live around here?” She looked at Cara and Linda.

  “I live outside of the downtown area,” Linda said. “My husband won’t live downtown.”

  Morgan nodded and looked at Cara. “And you?”

  “I live about a mile thataway.” Cara jerked her thumb. “Andersonville. Close to Wrigley Field.” She looked at Morgan.

  Morgan cocked her head. “Yes, Cara, I know what the Cubs are. Just don’t ask me anything about them.”

  Linda and Cara laughed. “No, there’s no reason you should know.”

  “I don’t know much. Andy’s the baseball fan.”

  “Who’s Andy?” Linda asked.

>   “He works for me, for now.”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  Morgan laughed. “No, he’s leaving. Got a better job in Montana. Doing the same thing, but he’ll be a partner with an old friend of his. He’s training a new guy while I’m gone,” Morgan said absently, still looking out the window.

  “Here we are,” Linda said. “This will be quick and painless, I promise.”

  “I won’t have to say anything, will I?” Morgan asked.

  “No speeches, but maybe answer a few questions. If that’s all right with you,” Linda said.

  “I can do that,” Morgan said.

  The small crowd had already gathered. Linda saw Marcie, who waved to them. They met her by the podium.

  “Hello again,” Marcie said, holding out her hand to Morgan. “I hope you’re feeling better.”

  “I am, thank you.”

  “Hi Cara,” Marcie said. “I thought you were going on vacation.”

  “Change of plans.”

  “Oh,” Marcie said.

  Linda heard the hopeful tone and quickly steered Marcie away. “Where is…?”

  “Judy? She’s on her way. I hear the mayor won’t be here.”

  “Sadly, no. Some assistant.” Linda looked around. “Ah, there are the reporters. I’ll be right back. Morgan, stick with Cara.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Linda saw the exchange of smiles between them before she met with the other news media. She was glad to see all the local affiliates of the network news.

  “Good morning, all,” she said to them. “We’ll probably get started whenever the mayor’s representative gets here. We’ll have Miss Gavin answer a few questions from you when we’re through.” She quickly left them before they bombarded her. She saw Morgan look very uncomfortable as the crowd grew on the steps of City Hall. She was grateful the weather cooperated. The cold snap snapped and headed north. Now it was sunny and cool. She was sure Morgan wished for rain.

  “Okay, we’re all set,” Linda said. “When the mayor’s office is through, are you sure you don’t mind answering just a few questions from the local press?”

  “S-sure.”

  She sounded anything but sure. Cara put her hand on Morgan’s shoulder.

  “It’ll be fine. We’ll be right here. Then we’ll show you around Chicago.”

  Morgan took a deep breath and nodded. “A little nervous.”

  “That’s expected. You’ve never done this before.”

  “You’re not going anywhere?” Morgan said to her.

  Cara shook her head. “Nope. I’ll be right here.”

  “Okay, good.”

  Linda retrieved a bottle of water off the small table by the podium. She handed it to Morgan.

  “Thanks,” Morgan said, taking a huge gulp.

  The cameras started clicking away when the mayor’s representative walked up to them. He stuck out his hand to Morgan.

  “You must be Morgan Gavin. Ken Stone.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “I speak for the mayor when I say thank you,” he said.

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad I—”

  “Excuse me just for a moment. I’ll meet you on the podium.” He quickly walked away.

  “And there you have it,” Cara said, shaking her head. “Ken Stone.”

  “You know him well?” Morgan asked.

  “Not to know him is to know him well,” Cara said, watching him.

  “Cara,” Linda said through clenched teeth. “Save it for your book.”

  “Which I would love to start.”

  “You’re going to write a book?” Morgan asked.

  “I’m been trying to write a book for ten years.”

  “You didn’t tell me,” Morgan said, grinning.

  Cara smiled. “There’s a good deal you don’t know.”

  “I’m sure there is.”

  Linda continued to watch them, wondering what the hell happened in Kabetogama.

  All the sudden, two women came up and ushered them all up on the podium. They stood with Marcie and Judy while Ken Stone made a grand appearance, waving to the small crowd, which was mostly reporters, but a few passers-by stopped to see what was happening.

  Ken Stone said a few words, cameras clicked; Morgan waved when announced, and Ken then motioned for Morgan to stand by him.

  “You’ll be fine,” Cara whispered to her.

  “Here goes nothing,” Morgan said.

  She stood next to Ken, who expounded on Marcie’s adventure and how Morgan saved their lives. He went on and on, then to Linda’s surprise, he took something out of his breast pocket.

  “As a show of appreciation, the city of Chicago would like to give you two thousand dollars to say thank you.”

  Morgan seemed stunned as she took the check. Ken practically pushed her toward the mic. Morgan cleared her throat.

  “Um.. I…” She stopped when the mic screeched.

  Cara quickly adjusted it for her, then gave her an encouraging wink.

  “I wasn’t expecting any of this,” Morgan said. “I’d like to thank Mr. Stone and The Chicago Sentinel. So far, this has been great. And Linda Adams and Cara Pembroke, who’ve been very kind to me.” She looked down at the check. “I’m wondering if I can ask you something.” She looked back at Ken Stone.

  He walked up to the podium; Linda noticed the slight terror in his eyes. Ken Stone was not good with confrontation or anything that was not scripted.

  “I’m extremely grateful for this, but I wonder if you could make this check out to the Kabetogama Middle School.”

  Linda and Cara exchanged looks.

  “Is she kidding?” Linda whispered.

  Cara smiled. “I doubt it.”

  Ken Stone looked relieved. “Well, I think that’s a fine idea. Why there?”

  “Well,” Morgan said, scratching her chin. “They need computers and new desks and a roof. The teachers there have been using their own money for supplies. So, I’d like to help out.”

  Linda saw the look Cara gave Ken Stone. When she started for the podium, Linda reached for her to no avail. “Cara, no. Oh, God.”

  Cara walked up next to Morgan. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. But I don’t think two thousand will cover a roof. Do you, Ken?”

  Ken’s upper lip started to perspire, even in the cool autumn morning.

  Morgan looked shocked. “Oh, no. That’s not what I”

  Cara grabbed Morgan’s forearm. Linda knew that grip.

  “I agree. How about we make it three?” He looked at Cara. “No, five thousand.”

  The small crowd cheered, and the cameras clicked away.

  “That’s really not necessary,” Morgan said to both.

  “Nonsense,” Ken said, waving to the cameras. “It’s the least we can do for someone who saved the lives of two Chicagoans. And the children will benefit. That’s the most important thing. The mayor will see to that.”

  After a few more words of self-aggrandizing, Ken shook Morgan’s hand for the photo-op, then glared at Cara, who smiled sweetly. He then walked off the podium and answered questions.

  Linda was amazed. Morgan stood by Cara, who led her to reporters; she answered the questions and even had them laughing when she pulled out her compass.

  “You’re like Grizzly Adams meets Crocodile Dundee,” one reporter called out.

  Cameras clicked all over again, and reporters leaned in for more questions. Where were you born? What is life like in the wilderness? Have you ever saved anyone before?

  Then it hit Linda. She looked from Cara to Morgan to the excited throng of reporters.

  “I’m brilliant,” she said. “Absolutely brilliant.”

  Chapter 21

  “What?” Cara screeched.

  Linda winced, putting a finger to her ear. “I think I’m bleeding.”

  “What did you just say?” Cara looked at Morgan. “Did you hear what she just said?”

  “No.” Morgan laughed, sipping her beer. She wa
s exhausted, and it was only one in the afternoon. She looked out the restaurant at...what was it called? Some pier overlooking their huge lake. It was a beautiful day, sunny and cool. Not a cloud in the sky.

  “Let’s go sit outside,” Linda said, picking up her drink. “We can talk there.”

  “It’s freezing out there,” Cara said.

  Morgan laughed. “Cara, you don’t know what freezing is.”

  “Hey.” Cara put her hands on her hips. “I live in Chicago in January.” She jerked her thumb at her chest. “I know freezing. Just because you’re from the great white north, don’t get nervous.”

  “You haven’t been to Minnesota in the winter.” Morgan laughed again, completely amused. “We can ask them for a portable heater, you know, like when you go ice fishing.” She cocked her head. “Do you ice fish?”

  Cara breathed heavily through her nose. “You really think you’re funny, don’t you?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “C’mon, you two, fight outside. Grab your drinks.”

  They sat facing the sun. Morgan took out her sunglasses. “It’s like summer.”

  “You’re nuts. And I think I know you well enough to say that.”

  Linda laughed and gave the order to the server. “Have you ever had calamari?”

  “Uh, no. I’ve heard of it but never had it,” Morgan said.

  “Well, you will. For the next couple of days, you’re going to eat something new every day. What did you have for dinner last night?”

  “Just a steak and potatoes. And soup, it was good. Oh, and a Caesar salad.”

  “No dessert?” Cara asked.

  “Oh, yeah. A poached pear,” Morgan said. “I never had that before.”

  “Good for you,” Linda said. She put her sunglasses on, as well. “It is warm for fall. What’s the weather like in Kabetogama now? Oh, I’m sorry, Morgan, but the cold weather went up north.”

  “It’s cold, not warm like this.” Morgan smiled, remembering the woods and the lake. “It doesn’t get warm till late June.”

  “You miss it already, don’t you?” Linda asked.

  Morgan shrugged. “Yes. I’m not used to so many buildings.” She looked around. “It is beautiful, though. I thought it’d be more…I don’t want to say dirty, but I thought with all the cars and buses...”