Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
As soon as Matt gets the gist of what’s going on he’s crying too. “We really are a sappy bunch, aren’t we?” he says through his tears. “Aw, Lizzie, it will be so amazing to have you around, and not just to babysit.”
“Ha ha,” she says. “I definitely look forward to spending more time with Sophie, and Shannon too. I am a little nervous about reconnecting here, it’s been a long time since I spent a winter here.”
“It’s like riding a bike,” Peter says. “Or a sled. You’ll find your rhythm.” He stops for a minute. “Look, I know you’ve loved living in Boston, writing for a city paper, but I’m hoping you’ll see the impact that local journalism can have.”
“I know that Dad, I really do. What I’m hoping we can do, with your go-ahead, is to bring in some fresh voices to write about building community and how we can plan for the future. Maybe we can get Ben to write a recipe column! I just thought of that!”
Peter puts his arm around her. “You are exactly what’s been missing from this place, honey, we need a shot in the arm, some new ideas and energy. I really think this will work.”
They finish up their lunch, wrap up the leftovers, and Gabby and Matt head out.
“I’ll be home in a little while,” Lizzie says as her mom is leaving. “I haven’t even showered yet.”
“I’m going over to the Marshview Inn for the wreath making, want to meet me there? I’m betting you forgot, no wonder with all you’ve had going on,” she smiles, noting the surprised look on her face.
The idea of going to this event feeling as gross as she does isn’t exactly how she saw her afternoon going, but she’d promised Sean and Ben she’d be there. “Yeah, what with losing my job and all it kind of slipped my mind,” she laughs. “But yeah, I should go. How about I come with you?” She picks up her coat. “We can put all the leftovers in my car, it’s cold enough.”
“Sounds good, and Peter?” He looks up from his computer, “I’m leaving Daisy here with you for an hour, okay?” He nods, and goes back to work. “Are you absolutely sure you want to work with that every day?” Gabby jokes, opening the door.
“I heard that,” Peter calls after them, laughing.
“Love you, honey,” Gabby calls before the door closes.
Once again Lizzie is wowed by how pretty the Marshview Inn is as they pull up.
“Why aren’t I ever blasé about this place? Every time I come here I am awestruck,” she says, getting out of the car.
“I think it’s good to never lose that sense of awe and beauty,” Gabby says as they climb the majestic front steps. “It means you’re awake and paying attention,” she hooks her arm through Lizzie’s and they open the front door.
“Yay! I’m so glad you made it back,” Ben says, giving Lizzie a hug. “Dr. Martin, it’s so good to see you, I’m so glad both of you came.” He leads them to the large farmhouse-style kitchen where everything is laid out in neat piles. “Let me take your coats, and help yourself to some cocoa or some hot cider, and there are scones and shortbread cookies on the counter.”
“Ben, how’d you know I was in Boston?” Lizzie asks as she pours herself and her mom some cocoa. “It was such a quick trip, I didn’t think anyone knew.”
He shrugs, “Huh, oh, I think Jack told me? I wondered where you were when we met up this morning for coffee.”
She doesn’t know why, but she’s annoyed. She doesn’t want Jack talking about her or her whereabouts to anyone. She’s not his concern. Period.
And then, suddenly, he’s there, carrying in some firewood along with Sean. Their eyes meet, but Lizzie quickly busies herself looking at the huge assortment of greens, berries, ribbons, barks, pinecones, shells and herbs on the giant table.
“Gabby, it’s nice to see you,” he says to her mom. “Lizzie, glad you made it back okay in time for this, and of course, the rest of the festival events.” He’s being very formal which feels weird, though she has to admit nothing he can say or do will be right at this point. She nods, and gives her best ‘I can’t stand you, don’t dare talk to me anymore’ smile. If she was Southern she would have said, “Bless your heart.” He takes the hint and moves to the other side of the table. Adding to Lizzie’s discomfort is the knowledge that she hasn’t showered, slept on her couch, and is not at her sartorial best. It never fails that when you want to be wearing the best outfit ever, you are instead one step above being in public in your pajamas. Truly, it is like some law of physics.
Ben and Sean introduce themselves, give some history of the inn, and the materials they’ve chosen for the wreaths. They’re all local items, all grown in and around Cranberry Harbor, the couple of exceptions being the cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices. Even in her foul mood Lizzie has to admit everything smelled wonderful. At this point there are eight people in the group gathered around the table, and as Ben demonstrated how you can build your wreath, Lizzie found herself enjoying the project. No matter what had happened with Jack, she was going to make the best wreath ever, and then strangle Jack with it. No, that is not in the Christmas spirit, she tells herself.
Gabby is struggling with her wreath a little. Asked to suture up a sliced hand, she’s your person, but she was never particularly crafty. She and Lizzie laugh about how she is all about the mathematics of the project–the orange slices to cinnamon sticks ratio, balance and symmetry– she doesn’t really allow herself to think about just what looks pretty. Lizzie on the other hand is all about the feel of the wreath, and if it would look welcoming and friendly in the house.
Jack is at the far end of the table, and it’s clear Ben and Sean are a bit confused about what has happened since two days ago when they were all happily doing the scavenger hunt. They keep shooting looks at each other, but with so many other people to guide through the project they don’t say anything.
In the end Lizzie has created a wreath she plans to hang inside, and has intentionally chosen the most aromatic additions to it. The lavender, orange, cinnamon, dried rosemary and thyme will smell great indoors, she thinks. Her mother’s wreath is very symmetrical, very organized and balanced. They both laugh. “This is like a psychological look inside us, Mom–mine, slightly messy, a bit disorganized–”
“But very artsy and pretty,” Gabby says, “Mine looks like a science project made with plant products. Even when I try, I cannot seem to just let go and be creative.”
“Mom, it’s lovely, and you will be the perfect person to teach robots how to make wreaths when AI takes over.” Lizzie laughs, and Gabby feigns a frown. “Oh, Mom, it really is perfect.”
“But art isn’t supposed to be perfect,” Gabby says.
“There is great beauty in symmetry, Gabby,” Sean, who walked over to see their wreaths, says. “Studies show that symmetry relaxes people and makes them feel calm, it’s true! There is no ‘right’ way to create, so stop being so hard on yourself.”
“See Mom? My crazy dream-catcher of a wreath will make people feel stressed and anxious, and yours will calm them down,” Lizzie says, laughing.
She’s actually having fun despite having Jack there. The idea that she’s going to be home for a while is beginning to sink in and it’s not feeling terrible. It’s actually feeling kind of good. She really wants to help her dad save the paper, and is excited that she’ll be doing work that is more meaningful and appreciated, and have good friends like Ben and Sean to spend time with. And Alexis, and her parents and brother. She’s resisted the idea of coming back here for so long, but now without too many other options, she’s seeing that it might actually not be bad, even with the annoying ex.
Jack holds up his wreath to show Ben, “What do you think? I’ve never done anything I needed a glue gun for in my life, but this doesn’t seem too terrible, does it?”
“‘Not too terrible’ isn’t exactly giving yourself a rave review,” Ben jokes. “I think it’s awesome, I like that you used so many of the shells, and that you mixed them up, and paired the pieces of quahog shells with purple with the lavender, and chose a ribbon with cream and lavender woven in, very much on-theme, sir.”
“I had no idea I’d done any of that,” he laughs. “It’s all a happy accident,” he looks over to Lizzie. Hoping to catch her eye. She doesn’t look his way.
In an hour they’ve all managed to create truly one-of-a-kind wreaths, eaten far too many cookies, and Lizzie is feeling a bit buzzed on hot chocolate.
“Let me help you guys clean up,” Lizzie offers as the other crafters begin to leave.
“No, don’t worry about it, we’ve got it. There’s another group coming tomorrow, so we’ll just be adding more stuff,” Sean says. “Did you have fun?”
“I did! It makes me realize how much time I spend in my head and not doing things with my hands. I need to learn to knit or something! I feel like I’m mostly always on some sort of device with a screen, I need to give my brain a break and cut back. Maybe I’ll be able to find some balance now.”
“Now? What’s going on?”
“Oh, well, um,” she’s a little flustered saying it out loud for the first time to anyone in town. “I’m coming back to Cranberry Harbor, at least for a little bit. My dad and I are going to run the Gazette together,” she finds herself smiling, beaming even.
Ben hears this and comes running over and picks her up in a big bear hug. “What?! You’re coming back?!”
At this point Jack has heard the congratulations and wanders over. “Really? You’re coming back? You parents must be thrilled!” He looks excited, despite their recent falling out. “So what changed your mind?”
Not wanting him to think for one second it was because of him she quickly says, “My entire newsroom was laid off, that’s what changed my mind.” She looks around for her mom, who she sees is still fussing with her wreath. “Well, we should be going. Thank you both so much for hosting this. It was so much fun! We’ll have to get together soon.”
Gabby comes over, wreath slung over her arm. “Yes, this was a complete delight. I hope you do it again next year!”
Lizzie hustles them both out, even though it’s clear Jack wants to talk to her.
On the drive back to the office, the car filled with the lovely aromas from their wreaths, Gabby asks the question she’s been wanting the answer to for two days.
“So what happened? You went from having a wonderful time with Jack to freezing him out overnight. If you don’t want to tell me, I understand, but it’s just such a change.”
“Something didn’t happen, someone did. Someone named Penelope and she’s his girlfriend,” she says looking out the window as they drive back to town. “It’s all good, I’ve gotten over him before so I can get over him again.”
Gabby isn’t so sure, and wonders just how complicated the next several months are going to be.