Farewell to Cedar Key (27 page)

50

F
our days before the Sisters weekend, my mother saw the doctor and got another good medical report. My parents were ecstatic, and everybody was feeling grateful. Dr. Girone told her he'd see her again in July for another three-month checkup.

She phoned me at seven the morning of the gathering, still on a high from her good news. “So you and Mallory will come by this evening, right? Jane is already here. She arrived yesterday and stayed at Mallory's last night. Mags and CC landed in Gainesville last evening, and Elly is driving from Atlanta and should be here by early afternoon. I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving shortly with Mags and CC to go pick up some things in Gainesville.”

“Well, aren't you the early bird,” I said, laughing. “And yes, Mallory and I will come by tonight about seven or so. Anything I can bring?”

“Nope, not a thing. We're picking up wine and food this morning. Mags is going to make some seafood concoction for an early dinner for us. Okay, then, I'll see you at the Lighthouse later this evening. Love you.”

I hung up the phone and smiled. My mother was definitely in her element, surrounded by her dearest and closest friends. I was glad that Mags had thought to organize something like this to get them all together for a celebration.

I phoned Mallory later in the morning. “All set for the big event tonight?”

Her laugh came across the line. “Yeah, I am. I swear my mom's been acting like a college student since she got here yesterday. Jumping around the house dancing, cracking jokes, and so excited. There's some good energy when you put those five women together. They gave my mom the key to the Lighthouse, so she just left to go open it up and get it ready. I think the rest of them have gone to Gainesville shopping.”

“Yeah, they have, and Elly is due here in a couple hours. You want to drive over around seven together?”

“Sounds good. I'll pick you up. Be ready to party.”

 

As soon as Mallory pulled the car onto the crushed oyster shell area in front of the Lighthouse, I could hear the music blaring. We got out and began walking up the stairs when I heard my mother's voice belting out “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.

I looked at Mallory. “What the hell?”

She shrugged and laughed. “Have no clue.”

I opened the door, stepped into the kitchen, and saw my mother holding a karaoke microphone with the lyrics of the song flashing on a monitor screen. But what really made my jaw drop was my mother's appearance. Gone was her tailored dress code. She was wearing skinny jeans and a hot pink tank top with the sparkly silver words
Bite Me
splashed across the front. On her head was a floral wreath of fresh flowers, and beneath that wreath was no sign of her traditional chic hairstyle. It had been replaced with a pixie cut, which very much resembled my own style. Her auburn color also looked a shade brighter.

While my mother sang into the mic, Mags shook a tambourine as Jane, CC, and Elly danced around the family room, joining in the singing, all five contradicting the fact that they were older than sixty.

I looked at Mallory, and both of us burst out laughing as my mother noticed us standing there and motioned us to join the dancing. I heard my mother singing the words, and I knew without a doubt that she
was
having the time of her life. When the song ended, there was an eruption of laugher and my mother rushed over to pull me into a tight hug.

“What the hell is this?” I asked, touching her cropped hair.

“You don't like it?”

Actually, I liked it a lot. The cut was very becoming and made her look ten years younger, but I couldn't help recall how she'd always indicated she never cared for my choice of hairstyle.

“I love it, but . . .”

She laughed and said, “I know. Mags talked me into it today at the salon. So I figured, what the hell! Life is too short not to try new things, right?”

“Absolutely right.” It was then that I noticed the aroma floating around the room. “Mom! Are you guys smoking pot?”

She waved a hand in the air. “Oh, I think Mags may have snuck some in. Come on,” she said, grabbing my hand. “Come say hello to everybody.”

Mags was wearing a tie-dyed T-shirt with psychedelic colors of turquoise, orange, yellow, and blue splashed across the front. The colors matched the bandana tied around her forehead, and I felt like I'd stepped back in time to a 1960s sorority party.

She pulled me into a tight embrace. “Isn't this great, Jos? It's like time has stood still.”

Yup, she was definitely taking some hits of marijuana and was more bubbly than usual.

Elly and CC came over to hug me. Both of them were wearing long, gauzy dresses that fell to their ankles, and I noticed they were both barefoot. Floral wreaths also sat atop their heads.

“This is going to be a great four days,” Elly said. “I'd forgotten how much fun we used to have in college.”

“And I think we're proving we're never too old to celebrate and have fun,” CC added.

“Look at my mom,” I heard Mallory say, and turned around to see Jane wearing a floral print minidress with a pair of white boots that came just below her knees. Perched on her head was a red floppy hat with a wide brim.

I shook my head, laughing. “This is too funny. I think they hung on to all those clothes from the sixties.”

Mags clapped her hands to get our attention as she waved a peace sign flag in the air. “Okay, everybody, get yourself a glass of wine. There's plenty of food, so dig in, and let's keep singing and dancing. CC, your turn. Choose a song, grab the mic, and let it rip.”

I'd been to other gatherings over the years with the Sisters of '68, but they were pretty demure compared to this one—laughter and fun, but not the inspiring energy that seemed to fill the room this evening. Was this what happened as one got older? You began to appreciate the moments more? You began to understand that more time was behind you rather than ahead of you? You celebrated more and truly embraced the essence of life? If these five women were any example, I'd have to say yes, that was exactly what could happen.

I poured myself a glass of white wine as I listened to CC singing “If Not For You,” a popular 1970s Bob Dylan song, which made me think of the bond these five women had forged over fifty years ago as freshmen in college. They had been together through all of life's ups and downs, good times and bad, and most important, all five had contributed something special to their relationships that made them continue to grow and flourish. I glanced over to see the joy on my mother's face as she moved her body to the rhythm of the music, and I knew I owed Mags a lot for coming up with the idea of this get-together.

“They're quite a group, aren't they?” I heard Mallory say as she came to stand beside me. “I can't ever remember a time that they weren't in my life.”

I nodded. “I know. They're very fortunate to have one another, but we're pretty lucky, too, to be a part of it. I haven't seen my mother this happy in ages.”

“What do you think of her hair? I just love it.”

“I do too.” I felt the smile cross my face. “She sure surprised the hell outta me with that. It's like she's transforming into a whole new person. For the better,” I added.

“Hmm, seems to be running in the family lately,” Mallory said with a grin on her face.

I was nibbling on a delicious cream cheese hors d'oeuvre when my mother ran over and put her arm around my shoulder.

“Fill up your wineglass and come with me,” she said.

I topped off my wine and followed her outside to the wraparound deck. It was pitch dark with no light pollution, and looking up, I saw the starlit sky and a silver full moon.

“Isn't this gorgeous?” she said as we both leaned our elbows on the railing and looked out at the water.

I nodded as I savored the moment. “It is,” I whispered.

She turned to me and took my hand. “Josie, I just want you to know how much I love you and how happy I am about your upcoming marriage to Grant. I also want you to know how much it means to me that you're here with us tonight.”

I gave her hand a squeeze. “I love you too, Mom, and I wouldn't have missed this for anything. I hope you know how much I appreciate you doing all the planning for the wedding.”

She let out a chuckle. “Are you kidding? I love having carte blanche organizing my daughter's special day.”

“Ah, wait a sec,” I told her. “Not
quite
carte blanche. No frocks and definitely
no
parasols. Promise?”

Her laughter matched mine. “Yeah, I promise. I've chosen the florist. So you'll have to choose your wedding bouquet. I have loads of photos at the house for you to look at, or you can design your own. We still have to decide on the photographer, but I've found a few spectacular ones in Gainesville.”

I took a sip of my wine. “About the photographer . . . I've already found one.”

Her head shot up. “Oh, really? I wasn't aware of that.”

“Right. Well . . . ah . . . I've decided to hire Mallory.”

Surprise covered her face. “Mallory? Mallory Wilson?”

“Yes. My best friend since forever.”

“I don't understand. I mean, Mallory's not a photographer. Josie, what on earth are you thinking? This is the most special day of your life. You can't take a chance and not have perfect pictures to capture that day. Does Mallory even own a camera?”

Traces of the old mom quickly returned in her attitude and tone of voice.

“Mallory happens to own a very good camera. Photography has always been her passion, and she recently shared with me that she plans to return to it, take some courses over the summer and maybe even open a shop on the island. She needs to build her confidence, and I want to help her with that. So yes, I want Mallory to be my photographer on my wedding day. Nobody could capture Grant and me better than she can.”

My mother remained silent for a few moments, and then she leaned over and kissed my cheek. “If you want Mallory . . . then Mallory it is. The photographer is settled. Come on,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside. “It's your turn to choose a song to sing.”

After looking through the various selections, I knew I wanted to sing another ABBA song, “I Have A Dream,” because those words were appropriate to where I'd come from, where I was at, and where I was headed in my life. Like the song said, when I know the time is right for me, I'll cross the stream. And I had—with both my mother and Grant.

51

T
he five weeks following the Sisters of '68 gathering literally flew by as I knew they would. Between planning for a major move and my autumn wedding, there was constant activity. Orli had finished school a few weeks earlier and had spent the night at my parents' house.

I was enjoying my second cup of coffee on the patio, soaking in the warm May morning, when the phone rang, and I answered to hear Grant's voice.

“All set for your going-away party tonight?” he asked.

“Yeah, I am. It was so nice of Dora and Marin to organize a get-together at the yarn shop.”

“I think it'll be a good time, and one week from today you and Orli will be on your way to Boston. I can't wait to have both my girls here with me.”

“We're pretty excited about that. I'm headed to the post office this morning to ship up the final boxes.”

“Great. Have a good time tonight and call me when you get home. I love you, Josie.”

“I love you too, Grant. I can't wait to be up there with you.”

I hung up the phone, finished my coffee, hit the shower, and then headed downtown.

Coming out of the post office, I saw Simon walking toward me.

“Hey, Josie. Still sending boxes up to Boston?”

I laughed and nodded. “Yeah, that was the last of them. Poor Grant will be sorry he told me to ship things up there.”

“Oh, I doubt that. So everything's on track for you to leave next week?”

“Yup. Orli and I fly out a week from today.”

“Well, you know I wish you all the best. You have a whole new adventure ahead, and you'd better not forget to invite me to the wedding.”

I laughed again. “Absolutely. You and Lily are on the guest list—with a plus one.”

“A plus one?”

“Sure. Never know who you might meet between now and then, and you might want to escort her to the wedding.”

A smile crossed Simon's face. “You could be right. And don't forget to stop into the office this summer when you're back here visiting.”

“Will do,” I told him as he leaned toward me for a hug.

 

I arrived at the yarn shop that evening to find it overflowing with women. Chloe spied me and came to grab my arm.

“Can you believe it? All this for us,” she said, laughing. “Get a load of that chocolate fountain Berkley put together.”

I saw a long table filled with various foods and in the center a beautiful two-foot-tall cone of chocolate with stacked tiers over a silver basin at the bottom. From the top crown, chocolate flowed over the tiers, creating a waterfall. Bowls of fresh strawberries sat in front of it.

“Oh, wow,” I said. “That's magnificent.”

“I know. Berkley really outdid herself on this. Go grab a strawberry and dig in.”

“Hey, everybody,” I heard Marin call out. “Both of our guests of honor are now here. So help yourself to wine and food, and have a great time.”

I headed to the chocolate fountain first and savored the flavor.

“You're going to miss my chocolate when you move,” I heard Berkley say.

I turned around and laughed. “You're right. I am. Maybe we can arrange for me to have some shipped to Boston.”

“Of course you can. I do mail order.”

“Here you go.” My mother passed me a glass of wine. “What a nice gathering this is.”

“Thanks, and yeah, it is.” I took a sip of wine and looked at the crowded room. It suddenly hit me that I'd be leaving all of this. The yarn shop, friends and family. Although I felt a twinge of nostalgia, I also felt excitement about the doors that were opening to me.

I walked around the room mingling with everyone.

Sydney came to give me a hug. “I'm so happy for you, Josie. Your leaving has gotten me thinking about my own venture, when I first came to Cedar Key to stay with Ali.”

“Yeah, that opened a whole new chapter for you, didn't it?”

She nodded and took a sip of wine. “It certainly did. I had no idea where that trip would lead me. At first, I thought I was only coming here to do some healing. But then I discovered Sybile and Saren and a family I never knew I had. Plus, coming here allowed me to find Noah. We just never know what's around that next corner.”

“No, we don't,” I said as Grace came to give me a hug.

“You must be so excited, Josie. I know Chloe is really looking forward to Ormond Beach. So much ahead for both of you. I remember when I first came here. I never could have guessed Cedar Key would lead me to Lucas and having a daughter.”

“That's true,” I heard Monica say. “I had never intended to stay here permanently, but I met Adam and well . . . the rest is history. So like my mother said, we just never know what's ahead, but we have to be willing to take a risk to find out.”

I let out a deep sigh and nodded. Once I had decided to pay attention and listen to my heart, everything had fallen into place.

We looked over as Dora clapped her hands to get our notice.

“Ladies, thank you to everybody for coming this evening as we bid farewell to Josie and Chloe. We're going to miss both of you, but we share your excitement. Josie has a wedding to look forward to, and Chloe is on the brink of a new relationship and a new business venture. So we wish you both well, and we'll never forgive you if you don't come back to visit often.”

Laughter and applause filled the room.

“We have a little something for both of you, so if you'll come up here. . . .”

Chloe and I went to stand beside Dora as she passed us each a large wrapped present.

I took off the paper to reveal a gorgeous matted and framed photograph taken from the Number Four bridge, looking out to the saw grass and water beyond.

“Oh,” I gasped. “This is just beautiful. Thank you so much.”

Chloe had unwrapped hers and held up another matted and framed photograph taken from the Big Dock looking out to Atsena Otie. It was then that I caught Mallory's eye in the crowd and smiled.

“You shot these, didn't you?” I said.

“She did,” Dora explained. “And all of us commissioned her to take the photos, so Mallory's new business is now official and she's made her first two sales.”

I rushed over to give Mallory a hug.

“Thank you so much. And thank you, all of you, for this gift and the party.”

“Well, we didn't want you to forget Cedar Key,” Mallory whispered in my ear.

As if that could ever happen.

 

I took one last look around the house and then followed my daughter out to my parents' waiting car. Clovelly sat in his cat carrier on the backseat, and I scooted in on the other side.

“All set for the airport?” my dad asked.

“We are,” I told him.

“One last thing.” My mother turned around from the front seat and passed me a small piece of paper and pen. “Here, Josie. I want you to write one word on this paper and don't ask questions.”

“One word?” I looked at Orli, who shrugged and smiled.

“Yes. Just one word that means something to you.”

I thought about it for a second and wrote the word
love,
passed it back to her and heard her tell my father, “Okay. We're ready.”

When we got to the Number Four bridge, my dad pulled off the road.

“Something wrong?” I asked.

“Nope. Here,” my mother said, and passed me a small glass bottle with a cork on top. “Fold up your piece of paper, put it in the bottle, and throw it over the railing into the water. You want to leave a part of yourself here on the island.”

I folded up the paper very small and squished it into the bottle, placed the cork on top, and walked to the railing. The sun was shining on the water, causing reflections from the boats and saw grass. I took in a deep breath and felt the moisture in my eyes. This place would always be my home. I had drifted for a while just like the boats bobbing on the water. But I had finally come to realize that Grant was my anchor. Many people fall in love with the wrong person, but all along—I had fallen in love with the
right
one. I was leaving Cedar Key, but all endings lead to a new beginning, and before the day was over I'd be with Grant taking the first steps on a new journey.

I lifted my arm up in the air, felt the smile on my face broaden, and flung the bottle into the water before I blew it all a kiss good-bye.