Chapter 4 - Leaving the Lakeside #4
Grace and Robby sat at the next table. Everyone talked of the pandemic and tourism.
Soon, there were bowls of chili topped with grated cheddar followed by pie.
Then Margie brought up Grace’s interest in the movement to protect the BWCA, and Jim said there was a meeting of like-minded Trail folks coming up soon; Grace was welcome to join him.
“I hate to be the one to break this up, but it’s time for Grace and me to pick up our groceries and head up the Trail.
” He looked at Grace. “Over the phone you mentioned a suitcase. Just one?” He looked around the table.
“What woman travels this far with just one suitcase? That’s what I want to know? ” Everyone laughed.
Grace stood up. “I’ll be right back.”
Robby stood up too. “You’ll need help. I’m familiar with you and your suitcase, remember?”
There was a moment of confusion while they looked at each other, then Grace said, “All right.” She smiled at the table. “Did I mention to y’all how kind people are up here?” More laughter, and as Grace and Robby walked away, she heard someone say y’all, followed by chuckles.
They walked up the stairs. Robby stood in the open door while Grace zipped up the tapestry bag, but he came up beside her to lift it.
“Let’s not have a repeat performance of the parking garage.
I’ll get this. You’ve got your backpack.
” He carried the bag down, left it by the front door, and followed Grace into the dining area.
Margie was just handing Jim a stack of boxes across the counter. She looked over at Grace and said, “Your blueberry’s on the bottom.”
“Hey now. Where’s mine? Grace gets one and I don’t?” asked Robby.
“I assume you’re going to Olsson’s to help some more. You’ll get yours when you come back.” She walked toward Grace. “You’re welcome here anytime. You got that card? And Robby’s?”
“Yes.” Grace nodded, feeling her emotions rising. “Thank you, so much . . . for everything.” She couldn’t trust herself to say anything more.
Charlie said from behind Margie, “Jim and Nan’ll take good care of you, but you come see us.”
“I will. Thank you, Charlie. Y’all stay healthy.”
Robby looked over Grace’s head at Jim. “I’m going to drive over for my groceries anyway, so we’ll meet you there.” Jim nodded. Then, Robby looked at Margie. “I’ll be back for my pie.” Grace stepped past him, and he picked up her suitcase and pushed the door open.
When they got into Robby’s truck, Grace immediately said, “You should have asked me if I wanted you to drive me to Johnson’s. I didn’t want to make a scene, so I didn’t say anything, but you should have asked.”
“You know rock stars — we’re used to getting what we want — not hearing, ‘No.’ I didn’t want to make a scene either.” They drove in silence the rest of the way.
At Olsson’s, both Jim and Robby backed their trucks up to the rear of the building.
Grace got out but there wasn’t anything for her to do, so she leaned against the side of Jim’s truck, while the two men brought the groceries out.
Robby told Jim he’d do all the loading, that he knew what belonged where.
Jim went back inside. When Robby finished, he closed the backs of both trucks and leaned against the side of his, facing Grace. “You ready for this?”
“I think so. Thanks, again, for your help. Will you tell Margie and Charlie I said thanks again?”
“I will, but you’ll be coming down at some point. I think this’ll last long enough for you to need more groceries. Go by the cafe and say, ‘Hi.’ They’d like that. You’d probably get a free piece of pie.”
“I’ll do that. What will you do now?”
“Get my pie, go to my house, and put away this stuff. Play electric guitar and contact at least one of my sisters here . . . See if I can get an invitation to supper. Tomorrow, I’ll head down to Duluth.
Spend some time with friends and family there.
After that, it’s anybody’s guess.” He paused but continued to look at Grace.
“When you leave here — when it’s safe again — where’ll you go? Back down South?”
Grace laughed. “We seem to have all the same answers. I guess lots of people do. It’s like when you asked me in Minneapolis — I have no idea, but home is not high on my list.”
“Well, maybe I’ll text you from the road sometime. See where you are. We could meet and catch up.”
Jim came out the back door. “Grace, time to head up the Trail.” He went around to his side and opened the door.
Grace and Robby stood up. Robby said, “We need to do something here. A handshake won’t do. I’d try for a goodbye kiss, but I can’t see you going for that. Maybe a hug?”
Grace looked at him, hesitated, and nodded. “A hug.”
They stepped toward each other, and as they started to embrace, Robby said, “Don’t let this go to your head.”
She looked at him. “You had to say that. What? Hugging some skinny, old guy? I don’t think so.”
Robby let her go. He opened the truck door and leaned in. “Nice meeting you, Jim. Take care.”
“You betcha. Safe travels, Robby. Hope to see you again.”
Robby straightened and let Grace get in. “I do wish you luck, but remember, all focus and no distraction makes for an empty life.”
“Funny — getting practical life advice from a rock star. I guess age gives you some credibility. I’ll remember. Good luck finding that agreeable woman.”
Robby shook his head. She thought he was smiling.