MAGGIE
“Oh, thanks. I just thought I’d come home for the day and check on them.” She starts to wonder why in the heck Cat Ayers is in her house and has her dog. Did something happen? But Cat doesn’t look alarmed. She looks like it’s just perfectly normal for her to be here on this summer morning.
“Well, I said, ‘Go someplace new. Someplace where you two can make memories,’ and you know what, your dad said okay.” She holds her right hand up like she’s being sworn in for a deposition.
“Your mom’s eyes almost popped out of her head.
She said, ‘Really, Don?’ So they went to New York City yesterday.
Imagine, the two of them in the Big Apple.
They were going to have tea at the Plaza and see Chicago, I think, and I told them about a place we love in Little Italy for dinner. ”
“That’s so unexpected.”
“Right? But they should be home around dinnertime. They called me this morning, and your mom sounded blissful.”
Maggie thinks of Rhonda’s story with the ants, and thinks her parents have moved some of their pieces.
They sit for a while on the back patio. Cat reaches over and touches her hand.
“For the record, I think it was courageous that you went. In these situations, people can get stuck in a pattern.” She sits back and crosses her legs.
She rests her chin on her fist and watches Maggie.
“So tell me about this place. Tell me what you’ve found so far. ”
“It’s beautiful, and it has a good, I don’t know, a good soul. You don’t see something like that too much. And it makes me happy he was there when he could have been fading away here. You know, just waiting.”
“It was a brave choice he made, too.” She rubs her chin. “If I were in that same situation, I hope I could be as brave.”
Maggie nods. Birdy Girl falls asleep by Maggie’s chair.
A few birds chirp, and Maggie sees the old hose coiled by the spigot.
She sees the lines where the lawn has been mowed, and the space in the tree where they found the kitten so long ago.
“I just don’t know what my next move is.
I’m there. I’m working. I’ve met some nice people.
I’m helping Rhonda Simmons, the owner, get her office together.
I like being there, but I don’t know what’s next.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to find.”
Cat watches her for a moment. “Maybe it’s small, Maggie. Maybe it’s not anything huge. Maybe it’s just a bit of peace.”
Maggie shades her eyes from the sun. “The owner loved him. Her daughters died several years ago, and she said Chip brought her comfort. Another lady who works there changed her whole, like, vibe when she heard I was his sister. He always kind of opened doors for me when he was, um, alive, and it’s like he’s still doing that. ”
“You know, Maggie, I don’t think much changes. Our relationships. I think when we lose someone, they are still helping us. We still need them. So let him continue to open doors, you know?”
Maggie considers that. “I can’t stop feeling like I’m missing something. I think I came home today to pause. Like I needed to step back for a second because something is bothering me.” She shrugs. “I heard rumblings that the resort is failing. Like it might have to close.”
Cat sighs. “Oh, so many have, Maggie. It’s very sad. Holly Hills—my husband was a line cook there when he was sixteen. He was shocked to hear that.”
“Yeah, I think the world is changing. I guess not everything lasts.” She frowns.
“Nope, not everything.” Cat wiggles a button on the cuff of her shirt. “But some will survive. Some will stand the test of time and still be here years from now.”
Maggie leans forward. “Red Maple should last. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place.
It’s not cheap or tacky. They are good to the employees, and caring toward the guests.
” She looks at two squirrels chasing each other up the evergreen.
“I don’t know how he ended up there, but I think it was lucky he did. ”
Cat raises her eyebrows. “Maggie, you’re a remarkable young lady. They might need your help steering their ship.” She mimes holding a ship’s wheel. “Maybe you could give Rhonda some ideas that would energize them.”
Maggie looks at the small raised bed where her mother’s garden used to be.
She grew tomatoes and zucchini, basil, carrots, lettuce and broccoli.
She used to tend to it all summer and hire a “garden sitter” to keep everything watered when they went to Ocean City.
When Chip got sick, her mom stopped planting.
A few clumps of mint have remained and spread, and a small bush of rosemary.
“There are so many things they could try. I could brainstorm. I mean, what about cooking classes with the chefs, what about new spa treatments?”
“Wine tastings!” Cat says.
“Yes, those! There’s this woman who works there who plays the piano. She’s incredibly good. They could have a piano bar.”
Cat points at her. “You’re beaming.”
Maggie feels a flood of ideas, and isn’t sure if any could save Red Maple, but they are all ways to spread the word and get some attention.
Maybe they could focus more on bringing in people to dine or spend the day instead of being so focused on overnight guests.
“It’s just good there,” Maggie says, “and Rhonda has lost so much already. I want her to keep this, if she wants it.”
“If they ever want a pottery or photography class, especially in summer, you know who to call.” She raises her hand.
“That would be perfect.” Maggie pulls her knees up to her chest and rests her head on them. “I’m excited to get back there.”
Cat stands. “Well, if you’re hanging out here today, I won’t need to walk our favorite pooch.”
Maggie gets up, but Birdy Girl stays sleeping. “Yeah, she’ll be fine with me until they get back.”
Cat gives her a hug. “If your parents are working in the morning, and you need a ride to the bus, you have my number.”
“Mrs. Ayers—”
“Please, please call me Cat.” Her long hair bounces in its ponytail as they walk through the side yard to the front, and Maggie knows she is young, still a newish teacher, but she has this ageless quality about her. Even when she’s older, she will probably still seem young.
“Cat, do you think if I help them, it’ll be enough? For me, you know. To fix me.”
Cat smiles at her. “You don’t need fixing.” A grasshopper jumps through the grass. “What is it you feel you’re missing?”
Maggie shrugs. “I feel like someone knows something else about Chip, and they’re not telling me.”
The mailman drives down their long driveway and calls to her.
“Haven’t seen you in a while,” he says and waves.
“Just one thing today.” He reaches out and hands her a small letter, and she expects the electric bill or one of the medical bills that kept coming after he died.
But instead it’s a pale-blue envelope addressed to her.
When he pulls away, Cat looks at her. “Well, I hope you uncover more. But only good stuff.”
“Thanks, Cat.”
“Maybe start to think about what you want to do, who you want to be going forward. You would love college, Maggie. It’s like Red Maple with good classes.” She gives Maggie a hug goodbye.
Birdy Girl stands beside Maggie now, and they watch Cat leave. Maggie can’t believe this woman convinced her parents to get out of the house and go somewhere. Maggie thinks to herself, I want to be like you. That’s what I want.
She looks down at the letter. The handwriting seems familiar.
She flips the envelope over and there is no return address. She tears it open and unfolds the small note and scans to the bottom. Her heart flips when she sees the name.
Maggie,
I’m worried that I haven’t heard from you. Did you get my other letters? I really need you to call me.
Vicky