Chapter Twenty-Six
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
My dear Franny,
For my third request, I want you to go back to one of our favorite restaurants. Remember all those thick chocolate frappés and the platters of fried seafood and onion rings that we used to share? If I remember right that’s where Joe took you on your first anniversary? I had many dates there, too. But my favorite times there were with you when we’d go after school or on a hot summer day. There’s nothing like Kream ’N Kone in Albany, Franny. Before you head home, I just want to make sure you experience the delicious food and enjoy the memories.
Lots of love,
Ella
Over breakfast, Franny told Riley and Beth what was in her third letter.
“I just opened it this morning.” She smiled. “My sister wants me to go to the original Kream ’N Kone in West Dennis. There’s one in Chatham now, but it wasn’t open when we were in high school. We used to love to make the drive there and sit on the deck that overlooked Swan River in warm weather.”
“Kream ’N Kone has the best fried seafood around,” Riley said.
“And the best coffee frappés,” Beth added.
Franny nodded. “I was always partial to the chocolate ones.”
“What do you think your sister’s purpose is with these letters?” Riley asked.
Franny smiled. “I’m not entirely sure. Maybe just to remember and to appreciate the Cape and all the good times we had here.”
“Well, that sounds like a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon,” Beth said.
“Maybe not as exciting as Edaville Railroad, but it’s more my speed,” Franny said.
Riley grinned. “I really am looking forward to going. I remember how magical it seemed when I was there as a kid. It will be fun to experience that through Luke’s eyes.”
“Well, I am looking forward to a nice quiet afternoon,” Beth said. “I have a new book that arrived yesterday. It looks like a fun romantic comedy and I plan to curl up with your Lily by my side.”
Riley laughed. “She will love that. And I won’t feel so badly for leaving her if she has you to give her attention.”
Beth laughed, too. “She definitely doesn’t lack for attention.”
Aidan and Luke joined them soon after, and Aidan cut himself a big piece of the quiche that Riley had made with Luke. Luke had no interest in it and went for his usual bowl of Cheerios with a banana on the side. Luke was unusually chatty as he ate. He was very excited for the trip to Edaville.
“We saw on the news this morning that it might snow a little. That will be so awesome to ride the train in the snow. And Santa loves the snow.”
“He does,” Riley agreed.
“You’re still sure you want to come?” Aidan asked with a wink. “It’s not too late to back out. I wouldn’t blame you.”
Riley laughed. “I was telling my mother and Franny that I’m really looking forward to it.”
He looked glad to hear it. A big smile spread across his face. “All right then. We’ll see you back here at three.”
“Have fun. Riley, be sure to take some pictures, so your mother and I can see how it’s changed over the years. Maybe it’s exactly the same,” Franny said.
“I will, definitely,” Riley assured her.
Later that afternoon, around one thirty, Franny set out for a late lunch at the Kream ’N Kone. She drove along route 28, the main road that ran most of the length of the Cape. She passed hotels, shops, and restaurants as she drove. There was snow in the forecast but not until later. Still, she could feel the dampness in the cold air and the sky was a deep gray. Snow was definitely on the way.
She passed by the Kream ’N Kone in Chatham, which had opened when she was in her early thirties. It was just as good but it didn’t have the same feel and she knew it wouldn’t invoke the same memories as the West Dennis location even though that building had a major fire in 2003 and had to be rebuilt up the road. It still brought back special memories And she knew that was more important to her sister than the food. Though the food was good too.
Even though it was December, there was still a small line at the counter when Franny walked in. She waited her turn, debated over what to get, and then placed the order she always seemed to place at the Kream ’N Kone—a scallop and clam plate and a chocolate frappé. It was a lot of food and she knew she wouldn’t eat all of it, but she would give it a good try. She could never decide between scallops and clams, and at the Kream ’N Kone she could get both. When her name was called, she went back to the counter to pick up her order and brought her tray to a window that overlooked the Swan River.
The platter came with onion rings and French fries. Franny very rarely ate fried food, so when she did, she savored every bite. Kream ’N Kone had spoiled her for all other fried seafood and onion rings. The batter was so light and crispy and the onion rings were sliced thin and melted in her mouth. She took a sip of her frappe. It was thick and rich with chocolate ice cream and she was instantly transported back to high school.
She and Ella used to come here often. When they didn’t have the fried seafood, they had burgers, but they always had chocolate frappés. They’d come with their girlfriends, too. It was part of their weekend nights out and lots of other students would be there, too. And that’s where she first met Joe, standing in line to order a clam roll. It was a warm summer night and the line was long. He’d looked familiar to her and he recognized her, too.
“You’re in my math class. Mrs. Hannigan.”
Franny had instantly made a face at the mention of the teacher’s name. And Joe had laughed. “She’s not my favorite either.”
They’d instantly bonded over their dislike of the cranky teacher. Franny had instantly been attracted to Joe’s smile and warm brown eyes, his wavy dark hair, so dark it was almost black. Their orders were called at the same time and they realized they were sitting at adjoining tables. They’d managed to keep the conversation going over dinner while everyone talked around them. It was like they were the only ones there. And before she and Ella left, Joe asked her to go to a dance with him.
And that was the beginning of their romance. Franny felt her eyes grow misty as she thought of him. On their one-year anniversary, he’d taken her back there for dinner. He was her first real love and she’d been devastated when he moved away soon after with his family. They’d both promised to stay in touch and they did for a while. But it was too much once they graduated and chose schools on the opposite ends of the country. Franny wondered if it might have been different if they’d had cell phones then or social media.
She dipped an onion ring into ketchup and popped it in her mouth. And she realized that everything really did happen for a reason. She wasn’t meant to stay with Joe because soon after she started her junior year of college, she met Tim. And she knew right away that she was going to marry him. She smiled, remembering their third date. They’d gone for ice cream and he made a confession to her.
“I told my mother when I got home from our first date that I was going to marry you. She of course told me that was ridiculous and that I needed to get to know you better, to be sure.” He pulled something out of his pocket and got down on one knee and opened his hand to show the small gray velvet box. Franny sucked in her breath.
Tim grinned. “So I waited until our third date. And I’m even more sure now. I love you, Franny. Is there a chance you love me, too? Will you marry me?”
And Franny hadn’t hesitated. She knew, too. “Of course I will. I’d love to marry you, Tim. I love you, too!”
They’d gotten engaged and married the following year soon after graduation. And she’d had a long and very happy life with him. She’d truly been blessed to have found love twice. So, she didn’t mind so much that she was alone now. She had her books and she kept busy. Life was pretty good.
She finished about half of her fried food and all of her frappé. She drove back to the inn feeling full, content, and nostalgic. It was bittersweet remembering Ella and all the good times she’d had with her sister. She missed Ella. She especially missed being able to pick up the phone and call her sister whenever she felt like it, which was several times a week, at least. They’d spoken often, even if it was just a few minutes, to catch up or share any funny or interesting things that had happened. It hit Franny when she least expected it, the wave of sadness that would wash over her. It didn’t stay long, though, as Franny always reminded herself that Ella was in a better place now. She wasn’t suffering and she was with Victor.
And Franny was enjoying her time at the inn. Her sister had been wise to ensure that she stayed around instead of going straight home to Albany. That would have been harder and she would have felt more alone. Here she was surrounded by friendly people who had quickly become friends and it helped. A lot.
A sense of peace came over her as she realized what her sister was trying to tell her. It was time for her to be in Chatham more. She didn’t know if she would ever be ready to stay in her sister’s house. She’d walked through it after the funeral and it just didn’t feel right. It was her sister’s home. Franny didn’t think it could ever be hers. But, maybe she could buy a home of her own there. Just a small place. It didn’t have to be as big as Ella’s as it was just Franny. If she could find a small cottage with even a sliver of an ocean view she’d be happy with that. She could afford it. And eventually she would sell Ella’s house, but not yet. Not for at least a year.
As she drove back to the inn, she grew more excited about her decision. She would call a Realtor in the morning and start the search for her new cottage. She realized that in the past few weeks, she’d made new friends—everyone at the inn felt like family, and though Angela was a new friend, they’d connected immediately and she’d had such a good time at the book club. Many of those ladies also golfed, which was something Franny used to love. Perhaps she’d take it up again. It felt like this was where she needed to spend more time now.