Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
Peter and Stan are both at the paper when Lizzie arrives and she feels guilty that she spent so much time at Sea Coast on her way in.
“Sorry guys, I was getting the low down on things from Alexis.” She hangs her coat on the antique rack and takes a seat. “Have I missed anything?”
“Nope, things are actually pretty quiet, which I have to say is a bit of a relief,” Peter says, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head.
“Oh no, Stan, I think he’s cursed us now! Take that back, Dad,” Lizzie says, mostly joking but a little seriously too. She didn’t like to admit to her superstitious side, but it was there. Without even thinking about it, she knocks the wooden desk. Just in case.
“Oh, Lizzie!” Stan says, standing up and rushing over to her and giving her a hug. “I’m sorry! I meant to say congratulations as soon as you came in! I’m so excited for you and Jack.”
Lizzie hugs him back. “No apology needed, Stan, I didn’t even think about it! I certainly hope you and Maggie will be at the wedding!”
“If we’re invited we most certainly will be,” he says, beaming.
“Of course you’re invited, Stan, you’re family!” Lizzie says.
Lizzie opens up her computer and begins checking her email. There’s one from Anika Patel from Tall Tales Books.
Hey Lizzie,
Per our conversation the other day, I think I want to start planning the “Book Lovers Singles Night.” Maybe you could help me a little bit with publicity and getting the word out? Between our social media, email list, the ‘Cranberry Harbor Cast’ podcast, and the Gazette, I think we could make it happen. I’m thinking in about three weeks? Thanks! Anika
Looking up from her computer Lizzie asks her dad and Stan, “Did I miss a beat here, who is hosting a Cranberry Harbor podcast?”
“Huh, this is the first I’m hearing about it,” Peter says, while Stan just shrugs his shoulders. She should have known better than to think the two of them would be more in the loop than she.
“I need to find out about this podcast,” she types, quickly writing Anika back.
“It’s a really good idea, I’m kind of jealous I didn’t think of it.”
Lizzie takes out her phone and goes to her podcast app. She scrolls through the pop culture, crime, and news podcasts she follows and types in Cranberry Harbor Cast. “Hmm, it’s Justine who works at Toy Works, and Leah, from Sea Coast Coffee.” She can’t imagine why they didn’t tell her, they were just doing yoga a couple of days ago.
“I’m going to go and see what I can find out about this, and also stop at Tall Tales and see if I can get some ideas for helping Anika plan and promote a singles night at the bookstore,” she says, getting up. “Unless there’s something pressing here you need me to do?”
“Nope,” her dad says. “A single night at the bookstore? That could be really good, maybe? Do you think people in town would come out for that?”
“I’m going to translate what you just said, Dad. What you’re really asking is, do I think any guys will come out for that, right?” She smiles at him as she buttons her coat.
“Busted,” he looks embarrassed. “Maybe I’m showing my age, I’m just not sure I know any guys who would go to a singles thing at a bookstore. Cape League Baseball game event? Heck yes. And I know I am probably completely wrong so don’t go by me. I have not been on a date in a hundred years.”
“At least one hundred,” Stan jokes.
“I hear what you’re saying, Dad. And it crossed our minds too when we thought of it. But you never know. Maybe there will be a few brave and bookish folks in Cranberry Harbor who will show. We won’t know if we don’t try, and the whole idea is to be inclusionary for sure.”
“That sounds really good, honey. You go forth and find out what’s up, and I will be very curious about that podcast,” Peter says.
“There’s only one episode up, so it’s definitely a new thing. I’ll see what I can find out. See you soon!” She calls to them both and heads out the door.
As she’s walking down a still-sunny Main Street her phone rings, it’s Jack. “Hey, I’ve been wondering what you’re up to.” she says, smiling ear to ear without even realizing it.
“Ah, I was doing the same thing, where are you?” Jack asks.
“I am walking from the paper to Tall Tales and then Sea Coast. Hey, did you know that there’s a Cranberry Harbor podcast? It’s called Cranberry Harbor Cast ?”
“Huh, I did not. I have to say I’m surprised that someone started that before you had a chance to,” he says. “Is it any good?”
“I haven’t listened yet, it’s Justine and Leah, I wonder why they didn’t tell me?” Having reached the store she stops and takes a seat on the bench outside. It’s chilly, but she doesn’t want to end the call yet. And, it’s kind of pretty out. After all the endless gray and rainy days they’d had, it was nice to take in the sunshine and look at the trees budding along Main Street.
“Maybe they just wanted to see how it went? How many episodes are up?” he says.
“Just one, so it’s pretty new. I want to hear what they’re doing, but I also want to talk to them about their plans,” Lizzie is getting chilly. “Hey, so I’m outside the Tall Tales and getting cold, talk later? Oh wait, I didn’t even ask you what you’re up to!”
“Oh, just the usual, except I’m looking out from a trailer onto the land as bulldozers are starting some excavation,” he says nonchalantly.
“What?! They're starting?! You have a trailer? Oh my gosh, this is real! I’m not sure when I can get out there, can you grab a few photos on your phone for me to use for the paper and our socials?”
“Of course, I’ve already taken a bunch. This is crazy, Lizzie, it’s really happening!” Jack says with a sound of disbelief in his voice.
“It is all happening, honey, it really is!!” Lizzie feels choked up. “You made this all happen, Jack, I’m so excited for you, for us, for Cranberry Harbor!” She’s so excited she hops up and down, then looks around feeling a bit self-conscious.
“It’s pretty crazy for sure,” he sighs. “Look, you get inside and get warm, I’ll talk to you later on. In the meantime I’ll send over some photos for you to post. I love you.”
“I love you too, and congratulations on the start! I thought it would all be more ceremonial, like we’d have a ribbon cutting or something,” she says.
“I thought of it, but they showed up three days early and I wasn’t about to send them away, you know?”
“Heck no,” Lizzie agrees. “Strike while the iron or excavator is hot, for sure. I’ll call you when I’m done here and see where you’re at.”
“Sounds good,” he says.
Lizzie slides her phone into her coat pocket and walks into the book store.
“Hey!” Anika says from behind the counter. “I didn’t expect you to come running in,” she says, walking over and giving Lizzie a hug. “I hear through the grapevine congratulations are in order!”
“Yes, thank you!” She reaches out her left hand to show Anika her ring. “It’s official! And mark your calendar for May 21!”
“Oh, I will block out that day for sure!”
Lizzie takes off her coat and slings it over the back of the couch in the reading area and sits down. “So, how far have you gotten in planning the Book Lovers night?”
“Ah, well, I emailed you, and I messaged Justine and Leah, that’s about it. Oh! And I’ve been playing around with a fun graphics app and making a poster.” She gets up to grab her tablet from the counter. “Here, this is what I’ve got so far.” She sits down on the couch next to Lizzie and shows her a poster featuring a few people in silhouette–standing with books, sitting with books, talking...with books, it looks a bit stiff.
Before Lizzie can say anything Anika blurts out, “This does not look like anything fun, does it? It’s positively Edwardian.”
Lizzie feels bad, but she’s thinking the same thing. “Yeah...it’s a little, well, um, old fashioned? If we wanted Mr. Darcy and Elizabth Bennet to come, it would be perfect!” They both laugh.
“Okay, back to the drawing board.” Anika says.
“Hey, how about if we get Justine and Leah to come and have it be a podcast about being single in Cranberry Harbor? Or the Cape in general for that matter. From Sandwich to Provincetown. the off-season is spectacularly bleak dating-wise,” Lizzie says. “It could be interactive, maybe some games, make it a real party!”
“Oh, that sounds fun!” Anika starts playing around with some graphics. “Hmm, before I get too into this, perhaps we should ask them if they’d be interested?”
“Good idea, though asking for forgiveness is often easier than asking permission, something my dad always said when it came to getting things done in town. Probably not applicable here though,” Lizzie says. She gets up and puts her coat on. “I’m going to run over to Toy Works and see if Justine is there, and we can see what they think?”
“Okay, I will be here optimistically designing a poster for, hmmm, how about, ‘Live From Tall Tales:Singles Night; Share Stories, Share Favorite Books...You Never Know Who You Might Meet...’ Too hokey? I’ll keep working on it,” Anika says, now looking for fun graphics.
“I like it! Let me see what Justine and Leah say, then we can work out the details.” and with that Lizzie runs over to Toy Works.
“Good morning, my friend!” Justine says cheerfully from behind the counter. “What brings you in? Something for Sophie? Oh my gosh! I forgot!” She gets off her stool and rushes around the counter to hug Lizzie. “Congratulations! I’m so excited for you and Jack! He is one lucky fella!”
Lizzie hugs her right back. “Oh, thanks so much. I think we’re both pretty lucky!”
“Seriously, finding love in Cranberry Harbor, especially in the off-season? Next to impossible!” Leah says, straightening up a display of Legos. “So what brings you in?”
“Well, I heard through the grapevine that you and Leah are the masterminds and hosts behind the Cranberry Harbor Cast .”
Justine blushes, and shakes her head. “Ah, yeah, we are. We so don’t know what we’re doing, we do not have the best equipment, but we’re trying to learn all we can. Leah has a friend from college who’s a podcast producer in New York, and she’s giving us tips. But man, it’s a little rough around the edges. That’s why we haven’t said anything. We wanted to get a few episodes up and then promote it more. We are totally in learning mode!”
“I haven’t gotten to listen to it yet, but I’m betting it’s better than you think it is.”
“I would reserve your thinking on that,” Justine says, laughing. “In the first episode Leah’s dog went crazy seeing a squirrel outside and we didn’t know how to edit anything out, so it’s about three minutes of her chasing Munchkin and him barking, and me laughing. Not super professional!”
“No one expects This American Life out of the gate,” Lizzie says. “I’m betting This American Life has had its rough moments too!” She clears her throat. “Okay, so Anika had this idea of a singles meet-up at Tall Tales, but we’re worried no one will come, and we were trying to think of a way to make it fun, open to everyone, well, as long as you’re single, and wondered if you and Leah would ever think of making it part of your podcast? ‘Live from Tall Tales!’ or something? We’re trying to find a way to create something that doesn’t feel like it’s from another century and is fun. It’s just a thought, no pressure at all!”
Justine is quiet, Lizzie can tell she’s thinking, but doesn’t know what she’s thinking. She’s hard to read.
“I think that’s a fabulous idea!” she blurts out, startling Lizzie.
“Really?”
“Yeah! Let me run it by Leah, but I think it could be really fun! We could have some games - maybe book trivia, some storytelling, and then maybe a little speed dating segment?”
“Oh yeah, we thought of games and stories, but some speed dating could be great! I’m so glad you’re on board!” Lizzie says, relieved that hopefully they will take over planning this and take the pressure off of her. Covering the beginning of Terra Marique being built, all the rest of the town news and planning a wedding was making her plate feel pretty darn full.
“I’ll text Leah, and get back to you and Anika ASAP,” Justine says.
“You are a godsend!” Lizzie says. There’s nothing like the energy of some twentysomethings to get things moving. “Let me know if there’s anything on my end I can do. I can certainly post things on the Gazette’s social media, and we can do a story about it too. We’re a little light on events this time of year, so we could give it some good coverage.”
“Awesome! I will get back to you today, but I’d say I can pretty much guarantee it’s a go on our end,”
“Thank you so, so much!” Lizzie says as she heads to the door. “I’ll talk to you later!”
Lizzie heads back to Tall Tales and thinks if only every idea she had was this easy to pull off.