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45
Elizabeth's phone rang bright and early Wednesday morning. She assumed it was Will; he’d called when he arrived on Cape last night, and she was thrilled he was back for good. Even though she’d enjoyed talking to him on the phone over the past ten days, she was looking forward to seeing him more frequently. This past weekend had been a firm reminder of just how much she loved being with him.
Her anger hadn’t dissipated completely, but it was diminishing, and she was trying find a way to put a positive slant on their time apart. Will had told her a long time ago that her past contributed to the person she wasnow, the person she’d become, and she’d decided to look at the disruption in their relationship in a similar vein. Ultimately, it was responsible for the commitment they were making to each other now, one that would make their relationship healthier and their bond stronger.
She would never be glad things happened the way they did, but if it strengthened their love and trust and deepened their connection, at least she could say that something good had come from it.
“Good morning,” she answered sleepily.
“Hi, Lizzy,” came the timid response.
“Oh. Lydia.”
“I’m sorry to call so early, but I wanted to catch you before you left for work. I was hoping we could talk.”
“Why? It didn't go very well the last time.”
“Please, Lizzy. Can you meet me?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Where?”
“Um, how about the Bell Tower when you get off work?”
“No.” Elizabeth had sweet memories of her visit to that park with Will and didn't want them marred by Lydia. “How about the Knob?”
“That’s fine.”
“I’ll be there by four thirty.”
“Okay, I'll be there.” Lydia's voice softened. “Thanks, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth ended the call and dropped her phone onto her bed. If Lydia planned on feeding her more excuses and tried to downplay everything, it would be the shortest conversation ever.
Later that afternoon, Elizabeth rode her bike along Quissett Harbor to the entrance of the trail that led to the Knob. She climbed from her bike and locked it to the rack and noticed Lydia's car in the lot. Ten minutes later she was descending to the small, rocky beach that bordered the trail.
Lydia was the only person there, and she sat on a blanket, staring out at the ocean. She glanced behind her, and when she spied Elizabeth heading her way, she rose and wiped her hands on her shorts.
“Hi, Lizzy,” she said as Elizabeth approached.
“Hi.”
Lydia turned toward the water again. “I haven't been here in so long. We used to come here all the time, remember? You and Jason and Denny and me.”
“I remember. It seems like a lifetime ago.”
“That’s because it was. We had some fun, though, didn't we?”
“Did you bring me here to reminisce? Because I’m not interested.”
Lydia’s eyes widened slightly. “No, I–I wanted to talk to you about everything that's happened.”
“What do you mean byeverything?”
“Just...everything. But I don't know where to start.”
“I can't help you there.”
“Why are you being so freakingsnappy?” Lydia asked defensively.
