Chapter Eleven
On the way to the dock, Kyle told me he was coming tomorrow to start the painting.
“All my equipment was delivered to the Crest today. I even know where I’m going to sleep. Your grandfather’s housekeeper has everything arranged. I think your grandfather has chosen a place to hang it, above the fireplace where you currently have a portrait of two ancestors.”
“Yes, perfect. I never liked the expressions on their faces. They both look constipated.”
He laughed. “In the early days, people didn’t smile for portraits or photographs. It wasn’t considered proper. Maybe they were afraid to show their teeth. What does your father think of my painting the Crest portrait?”
“He’ll want to know how much it will add to the value of the Crest. He measures everything in life by P and L statements,” I said, and Kyle laughed again.
“He has that look. I’d better stay clear of him. I’m not good at keeping within a budget.”
We pulled up to the dock.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said when he opened my door to help me out. He paused. “Hey, don’t look so serious. I won’t break up your family just because mine’s a mess.”
Of course, I wasn’t thinking of that. I was thinking of Jamie when he actually saw Kyle at the Crest and might even see how Kyle looked at me. Or maybe I’d betray a feeling. He’s been hurt enough, I thought.
“No, not worried,” I said. “A bit frightened. New life and all that.”
“Understood. When we see each other again, remind me to tell you how I started a new life.”
“Only once?” I asked as we walked to Grandfather’s boat.
He laughed and said, “I never met a man or woman as young as you who cuts right to the chase.”
“I never thought I had the time to waste on beating around the bush. Inherited that from my father, I suppose.”
He and Grandfather’s driver, Arthur, helped me into the boat.
“You don’t realize what a discovery you are for me,” Kyle said, before letting go of my hand. “Natural, honest, and beautiful.”
I just looked at him. I had no idea what to say. “Thank you” seemed so juvenile. And I wasn’t going to say the same thing to him even though I felt that way. Sometimes silence was the best reply.
I sat back. He stood on the dock, looking at Arthur and me as we pulled away. I felt as if he was still holding my hand. A “So long” or “Goodbye” could last a second or linger in your mind for minutes.
What a day, I thought. What a wonderful day.
Then I turned to look toward Birdlane. It looked so small, so contained.
It was, after all, where I had spent my restricted life.
But it was my home. For a moment it felt like I was belittling a lifelong friend.
“You’re not a mainland girl,” Jamie had once said, but what if I was?
What if Birdlane was too small? What if it stifled me?
Was it enough to be able to take trips once in a while?
I looked back at Bar Harbor. I felt like I was being pulled in two different directions.
Which way I would go was a mystery. How would it be solved?
Anna rushed to take my roses as soon as I arrived. She already knew all the good news. I laughed because she looked like she thought I had brought Kyle’s flowers for her.
“He’s such a nice man who shows appreciation,” she said.
We talked about the exam, and then she told me Kyle’s room was the next one after my mother’s on the first floor.
Anna had to show me what she had done with mine and how she had freshened up Kyle’s.
Everything that had to do with medicine had been removed from mine.
Kyle’s room looked very cozy, with a new bedspread.
“Where’s my new granddaughter?” I heard Grandfather call.
I hurried down the hall. I thought my father would be there, too. But he was probably still angry about my lunch date.
“How was your lunch?” Grandfather asked.
“It was fun. Every time I go to Bar Harbor, I realize how lucky we are to live so close.”
“Your grandmother would say that. So I decided to give you your birthday present early. I want you to feel completely independent.”
Anna returned to the door that led to the kitchen. Her wide smile convinced me she knew what the present was. He had nothing in his hand, and he wasn’t the sort who would just give me money. What would make me feel completely independent?
“What is it?”
“Let’s step out,” he said.
I followed him, Anna right behind us with that wide, happy smile that beamed from ear to ear.
A bright red Mercedes convertible was parked right in front of the Crest.
“Well, as your father would say, we spent all the money on your driving lessons. Better have a reason for it.”
“Grandfather, my own car?”
“Well, everyone was afraid to let you drive alone, but that’s over, and Birdlane’s coastal highway is a beautiful ride.”
“It is.”
“Go on. Take it for a ride. Just drive around here for a few minutes and get used to it.”
“Really?”
“You got your green light to do anything anyone else your age can do,” he said. “I’m sure anyone your age given a car would be itching to get in. Anna,” he called, “do you want to get in and ride around the property with Lisa?”
“Oh my, yes.”
I laughed, the excitement practically lifting me and flying me to the car. There was a red ribbon on the steering wheel.
“How beautiful,” Anna said, and we both got in.
I started the car and drove around the driveway and along the road around the Crest.
“Your mother is surely smiling,” Anna said. She ran her hand over the dash and the radio and got out.
I hesitated for just a moment and then set off to show Jamie.
I was a little afraid of what my classmates might say once they saw me in my car.
I knew that many used to say I was given things to compensate for my health issue.
Some said nasty things. Jamie always told me they were simply jealous.
I thought it was why I didn’t have many girlfriends.
Who wanted to make friends with someone who could die any day, maybe right in front of you?
What would they say now?
As I drove into our old neighborhood, many memories returned.
I paused to look at places where Jamie and I had played games and sat talking.
He’ll be excited about the car, I thought.
I’ll tell him to drive us. His right leg was good.
I got more and more enthusiastic as I drew closer to his family home.
I was hoping he might be outside when I drove up and into his driveway.
The house looked so quiet. It was always so peaceful inside as well as out.
I rarely ever saw a family squabble. Jamie liked to tease his sister, and his mother bawled him out for it all the time, but I knew everyone loved each other.
It just felt warmer there than in my own home.
Mrs. Fuller came to the door even before I pressed the doorbell, obviously excited to see me.
“Oh, Lisa, Jamie told us the good news. Everyone is so happy for you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Fuller. Jamie here?”
“Didn’t he call you?”
“No, but I’ve been driving about and was in Bar Harbor longer than I had expected to be.”
“Driving about? Oh, is that your car?” she asked, stepping out.
“Yes, my grandfather’s pre-birthday present. I wanted Jamie to see it before anyone else.”
“It’s beautiful. Good luck with it.”
“So where is he?”
I felt her reluctance.
“Jamie left about an hour ago with Terry Duncan, his best buddy.”
“Well, where did they go? I’ll drive there. That will be even more fun.”
“I’m afraid not, Lisa. They’ve gone to New York City.”
“What?”
“He and Terry were planning it for years.”
“I know. He talked about it all the time, but…”
“I couldn’t deny him anything with what he’s gone through. He’ll probably call you when he’s there or on the way,” she said.
I’m not so sure, I thought.
“How long will they be away?”
“With travel and all, about ten days,” she said. She leaped to change the topic. “Your grandfather’s spreading the word about your good news, and you know how fast news spreads on Birdlane.”
“Yes, he’s very happy.”
“And what did your father say?”
I looked at her. She knew my face, what an expressionless facade meant.
“He’s such an unemotional man. I understand,” she said.
She was an expert when it came to bailing people out of an uncomfortable moment.
“Your mother is surely jumping for joy in heaven.”
“Thank you. See you soon, Mrs. Fuller.”
She stood there watching me get into the car.
I waved to her and drove off. All the excitement I had felt seemed to drift away.
I didn’t even want to look at our old neighborhood.
I saw people who knew me looking at me, but I didn’t turn to acknowledge them.
It was a beautiful day, with the ocean so inviting, but it was as if a cap had been placed on my new enthusiasm.
I’ll wait for Jamie’s call, I thought, but I doubted very much that I would get it.
I started up the hill to the Crest. When I rounded the turn, I thought I was looking up and out at a Norse god who had slid down on the wind to stand at the cliffs of the Crest. He was staring out at the sea.
Of course, I knew it was Kyle. What was he doing here so soon after we had parted?
He heard me approaching, turned, waved, and hurried toward me as I parked.
“Beautiful car,” he said. “Anna told me about your birthday gift. It was made for you. They could make a commercial with you sitting there.”
“Thank you. What are you doing here now? I thought…”
“The gallery had two private tour cancellations, so I thought, why waste time tomorrow by traveling, getting organized, when I could do it today and tonight? So five more days to your birthday puts me here on schedule. Right?”
“Yes,” I said, and suddenly realized Jamie wouldn’t be here for the birthday we had talked so much about.
“You having a big party, or…”