Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
Lizzie slept better than she had in weeks. She knew she’d been stressed, but had no idea just how much it was affecting her whole self. From not sleeping well, to feeling less patient and snippy, to not eating as well as she should, all the worry had taken its toll.
When she woke up, extremely late for her at 7:45, she stretched and smiled and felt more relaxed than she’d felt in, well, forever. As she stirred in bed, yawning, stretching and sighing a little her mom was walking by, and just happened to have a cup of coffee in hand.
“Ah, you’re awake!” Gabby says, placing the coffee on the nightstand. “I’m so glad you slept! I’ve been hearing you up at night, and then waking early in the morning and I was beginning to worry about you.”
Lizzie sits up, fluffs her pillows behind her and leans back. She picks up the coffee mug and takes a sip. “Hmmm, this is so good, thank you Mom. And I hope I haven’t been keeping you up with all my insomnia, I’m so sorry about that.”
“No, I was awake too! I hated that you were as well.” She sits down on the floor, cross legged and hugs Daisy who’s jumped onto her lap. “I’m just so glad this is over and that we can all move forward and start obsessing about something else,” she laughs.
“I know, right? I have a feeling it’s always going to be something,” Lizzie says, continuing to drink her coffee. “So Jack and I decided to get away for a couple of nights. We’re going to Provincetown.”
“Oh! That’s wonderful! Cape’s End Inn I assume?” Gabby says. It's a family favorite for a close, but very special getaway.
“Of course! I know Rusty gets to work at about 8:30, so I’m going to call and see if he can help us. I’d really like to go sooner than later, so I hope they’ve got something.” She finishes the coffee and puts the mug back on the night table.
“I’m betting your chances are pretty good,” Gabby says, standing up. “There’s no holidays this week, and the weather predictions aren’t the best, so I doubt too many people will be clamoring to come to the Cape this week, or weekend.”
“I hope you’re right, because we definitely need a couple of days to unplug and relax,” She tosses the covers aside and gets up, stretches and hugs her mom. “Thank you so much for the coffee, and for being such a great support these last few weeks. And, well, forever. You are a rock, for sure.”
Gabby squeezes her right back. “It’s very nice to be appreciated, but I love having you here, and I love being able to help you in any little ways I can. It makes me happy, honey.”
“You are very much appreciated, that is for sure,” Lizzie says. “I’m going to take a quick shower, then call Rusty, and head to the paper.” She hadn’t checked their social media yet. That was bound to be a place where folks like Billy and Bud would take their ire, and she had to be more fully awake before she started dealing with them. Her standard approach was to stand back and let people have their say, but step in if it got too personal or ugly. That fortunately had only happened a few times, and usually around silly things like a new rotary, or the recent ban on yard pesticides which came when the town had qualified as a “Blue Community,” meaning they were making water quality and safety a priority.
Lizzie was out of the shower in no time, and while still in her robe, towel on her head, she called the inn.
Rusty answered on the second ring.
“Cape’s End Inn,” he says, very chipper for so early in the morning.
“Hi Rusty, it’s Lizzie Martin, how are you?”
“Hey, sweetie, I’m excellent! You?”
“I’m good, a little burned out and tired, but good. To that end, Jack and I were looking to get away for a night or two, how are things looking down there? Are you fully booked?” she asks, quietly praying he says they have a room for them.
“Well, someone just beat you to the last room, the tower room no less,” he says.
“Oh no! Darn!”
“But thankfully, it was your guy, Jack, so…” he laughs a little. “Sorry, that was probably kind of mean.”
“It was downright cruel, sir! You do not tease a woman in desperate need of a couple of days away,” she laughs. “I can’t believe he did that! I told him I’d take care of it. He’s too sweet.”
“He said you were going to call but he wanted to do this for you, so the phone was actually ringing when I walked in at 8:15.”
“I’m so excited! I think I’ve only stayed in the Tower Room one time, after I finished my Master’s Degree, and Mom and Dad got it for me and I think Shannon and Alexis. It’s a pretty amazing room, I can’t wait!”
“Well it will be all ready for you by late this afternoon, my dear. I can’t wait to see you, it’s been way too long!” Rusty says.
“I know, I feel terrible that I haven’t gotten down there to see you. Are you still playing music out? I haven’t seen you perform in forever!” Lizzie says.
“I am! I’m playing with another guy, Luke, and we’ve got a good sound. As a matter of fact we’re playing tomorrow night at the Beachfront, if you two feel like coming out, I’d love to see you there!” he says.
“Oh! That would be so fun! I’m not sure if Jack has anything in mind, but I will definitely see if he’s up for it. He’s been so tired. These last few months have been crazy, and I know I’m tired, but he’s super tired.”
“Yeah, I’ve been following everything on the Gazette’s social media and in the paper of course. I’m always a loyal subscriber” he jokes.
“You are the best, Rusty, thank you. I guess I should call Jack and see when we’re headed your way. I can’t wait to see you!”
“We will have the room all spiffed up and ready for you! We’ll see you later, hon.” he says.
“Thank you again for everything,” Lizzie says. “See you soon, bye!”
Lizzie smiles and feels so excited. The Tower room! This is going to be such a great getaway. She calls Jack.
“Hey, I was just going to call you,” he says. “Good morning, by the way,” he sounds cheerier than he has in weeks, months actually.
“Good morning to you too! So Rusty informs me that we are booked for the Tower room, I can’t believe you did that! Thank you so much! I’m so excited! This is going to be awesome!”
“You do so much of the day to day planning and executing for us, I wanted to do something for you that would be a little bit of a surprise,” he says.
“That was a wonderful surprise for sure! What’s your day like? Are you free to go this afternoon? I could make it work if you can,” she says, hopeful he will say yes.
“Yeah, I cleared my calendar for the next couple of days, so we’re good to go.”
“Yay! I’m so excited, Jack! We’re finally getting some time away!” Lizzie is positively giddy. “I’m going to run to the paper in a few minutes, clear my desk, and I can be ready to leave by noon. You?”
“Yeah, that sounds perfect. I’ll pick you up at noon and off we’ll go,” he says.
“I will be ready!”
Lizzie puts her phone down, and gets up and pulls her suitcase out from under her bed. It’s positively dusty from lack of use. She puts it on her bed, opens it, and goes to her closet.
“Hmmm, probably two dinners out, but it’s off-season, so we’re not talking very dressy,” she says out loud to herself.
Her mom knocks on the door, “Ohhh, you’re packing! So this is really happening!” Gabby says.
“It is indeed. Jack booked the Tower Room, so I am super excited! Now I’m just trying to figure out what to bring.”
“It’s off-season, and pretty chilly, so probably err on the side of function more than fashion, but I’m also not 33, so I may be more practical than you!” she laughs.
“Oh, I’m being plenty practical. Nothing can ruin having fun more than the wrong choice in clothes or footwear. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. It’s why I hardly ever wear heels anymore, I got tired of being in pain and not being able to walk more than a few yards!”
Gabby laughs, “I see you have the practical gene, and besides, you look beautiful and stylish in anything you wear, so be comfortable and warm!”
“I appreciate that lie, Mom. I do not look particularly stylish or beautiful in my joggers, but I appreciate you thinking I do.” She pulls out a pretty, but simple black jersey dress that is a classic, plus it’s thick enough to be warm, and looks great with boots. She holds it up for her mom to see. “What about this for going out to dinner tonight?”
“Oh, I love that! And I have several pashminas in different colors. If you want one to wrap around your neck, sometimes restaurants can be drafty. I’ll go grab a few to see if there’s one you like.” She leaves and goes down the hall to her room and is back in a flash.
“Okay, so there’s this one, a nice cream color, but that might be too dull, and then there’s this soft rose color, and this pretty blue.” She lays them all on the bed.
“Gosh, they’re all so pretty,” she holds each one up to her. “Which one do you think looks best on me?” She says, doing her best impersonation of a model, turning and smiling.
“I like the blue best,” Gabby says, “it brings out your eyes beautifully.”
“Then blue it is. Thanks Mom!” Lizzie moves on to practical items like some leggings, jeans, and a couple of sweaters. “Oh! I have to remember some slippers too because I love hanging out by the fireplace in the communal living room there, in pajamas and slippers of course. It’s always so cozy and you meet such interesting people.” She puts her cozy pajamas and slippers in the suitcase. “There’s something equalizing about meeting people in your jammies, I think,” she says, taking out a toiletry bag. “Everyone is relaxed and themselves. I love it.”
“It is a wonderful spot for sure. And the views!” Gabby is almost as excited as Lizzie is.
“I know! It’s been years, but I remember the incredible view. I can’t wait to see the sunset from there,” Lizzie says.
Gabby sits down on the bed and refolds some of the things Lizzie has just tossed in. “I am so happy for you and Jack to be getting out of town for a little bit. You two have definitely earned a couple of days away.”
“We have for sure.” Lizzie sits down next to her. “Honestly? I’m a little nervous about what the next phase of this is going to look like. There’s going to be so much work, and a lot of scrutiny, but one step at a time, right?” She stands up. “Okay, I think I have most everything. After I put my makeup on in the bathroom I’ll grab that, my toothbrush and toothpaste, and my hairbrush.” She stands there looking around.
“Yes?” her mom asks, looking at her.
“I'm just thinking, for a minute, that’s all,” Lizzie says, looking pensive.
“About?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, Jack was being a little mysterious about this getaway. It got me thinking…” she shakes her head, “Ugh, nevermind.”
“What? What are you thinking, honey? Are you okay?” Gabby asks.
She shakes her head again, “Oh yeah! I’m great, really, Mom, don’t worry.”
Lizzie finishes packing, zips her bag shut and stands it up on the floor near the door. “Okay, so I am going to go to the office and check in with Dad, and be back here before noon. She looks at the clock, it’s now 9:45. “I’d better get going. Thanks for your help, Mom, I'll be back soon.”
When Lizzie arrived at the paper Peter was already hard at work, looking very serious sitting at his overflowing desk, jacket still on.
“Hey,” she says, taking off her coat and putting down her bag. “Everything okay, you look very intense?”
“The phone’s been ringing off the hook, and I’m trying to make deadline, it’s just-”
Lizzie sits down. “I’m sorry, Dad, I didn’t know it would be so busy today, which seems clueless on my part. I’ll field the calls for a while.” She opens her computer and logs on. “So who’s calling?”
“Papers from all over the country, some cable news outlets, some Boston TV stations, and a couple of national magazines too. Everyone seems to have heard about Terra Marique and wants to report on it.”
“Wow, color me naive, but I had no idea our project in a small town on Cape Cod would garner so much national attention,” Lizzie says.
“Actually international attention,” Peter says, leaning back in his chair. “I forgot, I heard from a paper from Oslo and a reporter from Auckland. It’s crazy!”
“I can’t believe it! That’s a little scary!” Lizzie says. “I mean, it’s just a lot of eyes on our little town.” She’s quiet for a minute. “It’s just, I hope this doesn’t become a ‘be careful what you wish for’ moment in history for Cranberry Harbor. I want this to be for the people who live here, not another tourist attraction. This is all going to be good, right?” Lizzie feels like she’s ten years old, looking for reassurance from her dad.
“Yes, it’s a hot story now, but you know how long the attention span of the public is, it’s miniscule, they will move on to the next big story they see on social media or cable news and move on in no time.”
“I sure hope so,” Lizzie says. “So given what’s going on I’m wondering if Jack and I should be going away right now. I hate to leave you in the lurch–”
“No way are you not going. You are not leaving me in the lurch, and you two need to get away. You have both been working non-stop since you moved back here. You need to have some fun,” Peter protests.
“Hey, we have fun,” Lizzie fake-pouts.
“Yeah? When was the last time you went to a movie? You went to trivia night last month at Murphy’s only because you were writing about it for the paper. You need to get out of town for a couple of days. I won’t hear of you not going.”
“Yes, sir,” she says, trying to look serious, but then laughing. “Boy, our lives do sound very bleak when you put it like that. Fine, we will go away and have tons of fun, Okay? Does that make you happy?”
“It makes me very happy, honey.” He pauses. “You know, if there’s one bit of advice I could give you, it’s don’t get so busy that you miss it.”
“Miss what?” Lizzie asks.
“Your life. Your life with Jack, a family, if you choose to have one, but just, just don’t miss it, okay?”
“Okay.” She’s looking at her dad who looks so pensive. “Do you feel like you missed it? Because I don’t feel like you weren’t there for us.”
“No, yes, sort of?” He says. “All the above! It just all goes by so fast, I want you to be happy, that’s all.
“I am, Dad, I really am. And I always knew you were there for me, Dad, I really did.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” and with that the phone rings.
Lizzie puts up her hand, before Peter can reach for it. “Good morning, Cranberry Harbor Gazette?” She’s nodding and looking at Peter and then mouths, “Iceland!” to him.
By the time Lizzie is ready to leave at 11:30, she’s fielded calls from Los Angeles, New York, London and China. In between calls Lizzie quickly assembled a press kit they could easily send out to those making inquiries that would give them all the information, including contact numbers and emails for sources for quotes if they so desired. Jack was only going to be available if a very big paper or news station was looking for an interview. Luckily, there were now others on board who could answer the basic questions and give good quotes, leaving Jack free to be the lead on executing the project, plan, and get two days away.
“Okay, I am out of here, Dad,” Lizzie says, walking around to his side of their partner desk. “And if anything comes up, you know you can–”
“Nope, I am not calling you, no way, no how,” he says, standing up and hugging her. “You and Jack go and have fun and forget about all this for a couple of days. It will all be here when you get back, I promise.” He smiles, hugs her again and gives her a kiss. “Now scoot!”
“Aye, aye sir,” she says, turning on her heel, grabbing her coat, slipping it on, and as she picks up her purse she leans over to pick up her laptop,
“Nope, you leave that right here, no laptops allowed!” Peter scolds.
Lizzie sighs, “but what if–”
“No, back away from the computer and leave the building…” he says smiling at her.
She puts her hands up, “Fine! You win.” She backs up to the door, waves to her dad and leaves. Feeling a little anxious, but proud of herself for leaving the laptop behind. She is truly taking the weekend off. At least that’s the plan.