Lewis & Ondarko - Best Friends 03 - Now and Zen (8 page)

“My God! They have the same age difference as my husband and I do!” Linda said out loud. She continued to read.

Linda teared up as she finished.

What’s this all about?
she wondered.
My own marriage? This could have been me.

Startled from self-reflection, she turned and looked over her shoulder as the door behind her opened unexpectedly.

“What are you doing in there, friend?” Carolyn asked. “I’ve been waiting to walk down to the dock with you!”

“Not your business!” Linda snapped.

“Jeeze, Louise, Linda. What’s wrong with you?”

“Oh, I am so sorry,” she said when she saw Carolyn back up a little. “It’s just that I was reading something in an old journal from this cabin and it just upset me.

“What do you mean?”

“This couple stayed here back in 1945 during the war. They weren’t even married and the woman’s husband was away doing his duty with the Navy. And she was writing about leaving him for her young boyfriend! I just don’t understand how anyone would do such a thing.”

“We all have our choices in life,” Carolyn responded gently, sitting on the bed beside her.

“We sure do.”

“Think about it, Linda. Your first husband came back from Vietnam and became a crazy person and you didn’t know what to do.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“My point is that we can’t always judge the trials of others.”

Linda sighed heavily.

“Give me a little time. I just don’t feel like going for a walk right now.”

“Let me have a look at these. I just love history!” Carolyn reached onto the shelf and pulled out a volume. “Oh, these look like fun, Linda.”

Her walk to the dock temporarily forgotten she sat in the rocker, paging through the book. She stopped abruptly in the middle.

“Look! Here’s an entry from people named Lundgren from 1906. I have to read this! That was my maiden name you know, Linda.”

Linda didn’t answer. Her thoughts were far away.

Not noticing Linda’s distance, Carolyn began to read aloud.

Carolyn paused as she thought of her daily dip in her double Jacuzzi. She continued to read.

Carolyn gasped.

“Oh my Lord! My great grandfather was from Omaha! These people could be my relatives! But what in the world?” she wondered aloud. “How on earth could anyone live without running water or flushes and still be grateful?

Carolyn’s brow furrowed deeply at the thought.

“Surely times have changed. No one could live like that anymore.”

“Are you planning a party in here?”

Bev knocked on the door with one hand while hanging onto her walker with the other. Linda stood up.

“Hi, Bev,” she said, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

“We didn’t even hear you come in,” Carolyn said, “but we discovered a treasure trove of history in the closet. And believe it or not, I might just have found one of my few relatives.”

“Really?” Bev asked, with interest. “Let me see.” She held out her hand.

“Well the name fits, but what are the odds that a relative of mine could show up in a journal entry from 1906 that I just happen to come across?”

“About as likely that you would meet your high school classmate from Omaha on the streets of Bayfield, Wisconsin, during the Apple Fest in a crowd of fifty thousand people,” Bev reminded her, looking up from the book.

“You know what Deb always says about Lake Superior. That it’s a connector that brings people together.”

“If you ask me, this is downright spooky. I wonder what happened to these people after they left this place.” Carolyn mused. “I’m going to look this woman up on my iPad and see if I can find out more. Let’s just hope they were able to move out of their poor lives and prosper from all their hard work.”

“That’s not what would make her happy, Carolyn,” Bev advised.

Feeling uneasy, Carolyn pulled out her cell phone and dialed hurriedly.

“Hello, honey. Is that you?” she said in a loud voice. “It’s me. How’s the Bayfield Inn? Is it comfortable enough for you?”

“He’s staying in Bayfield?” Bev whispered. “Can’t he even let you go away for one weekend?”

“Are you finding enough to do?” Carolyn continued. She paused, listening. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. Listen. Do you remember where we can get discount coupons for dinner at the Bell Street? I think we might go there to eat tonight. Really? Not during peak season? Is that right? Okay, I just thought I’d check before spending all that money if I don’t need to. Love you. Bye. “

Bev raised her eyebrow at Carolyn. Carolyn’s coupon cutting was legendary among the women. This time, Carolyn wasn’t calling for the coupons.

“Weren’t we supposed to be meeting next door?” Linda asked, quietly leaving the room. “I’m going to go see if the coffee’s on.”

“Let’s go check out the town, Noreen,” Julie said. “Maybe we can find some places for the extra workshops.”

“Extra workshops?” Deb asked.

“Sure, with all the people we’ll probably have to add some.”

“Yeah, let’s go look. Do you want us to ask about available space if we see some likely spots?” Noreen asked as she turned to Pat.

“Sure, that would be great.”

“We need a walk and I want to check out my spot for the painting class anyway.”

“If you’re doing that,” Bev said, pushing away from the table and looking at Linda, “let’s go and talk to Lotta, the owner of the coffee shop. I’ve got to put up my signup list for readings.” She held up the paper she had been working on.

The four women left the cabin chatting.

“Darn, I could have taught a quilting class if I’d known. Maybe next year,” Carolyn said.

“Actually, there is somewhere they might need your expert help. St. John’s church has a community store for weavers, potters and quilters who live here on the island,” Pat suggested. “You might want to check it out.”

“Great idea!”

After Carolyn left, the cabin was suddenly quiet.

“Let’s take a cup out on the stoop,” Pat said.

“Yes, let’s,” Deb agreed.

They sat outside the cabin drinking cups of coffee with a little brandy in them to help keep warm.

“Look at all those women coming off the ferry!” Pat said, waving back as a group of native women strolled by chatting and smiling. Rubbing her right knee, Pat started to get up. Deb took her eyes off the wave of people to look at her friend.