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In retrospect, it was the perfect day. The whole Brett schtupping the nanny thing feels like it’s something that happened a long time ago, and to someone who isn’t me. I’m hoping to be able to keep the ordeal from the kids for a little while longer. Maybe by then their “relationship” will be a thing of the past, which is highly probable given my husband’s attention span.
For the first time since I kicked Brett out, I fell into a deep sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. The kids must be worn out, too, because we all overslept and missed breakfast.
It's after ten when Lily wakes me, her bare feet slapping against the hardwood floors. “Mom! I’m as hungry as a bear in the springtime.” (She got that line from Grandpa Jack who said it to her last night at supper.)
She pulls the blackout curtains open, letting in the sunshine while I yawn and stretch and pray for another week of sleep like this. If I could manage it, I might be back in fighting form.
Liam sits up on his mattress, his blond hair sticking up in every direction as he scratches his Spider-Man-pajama-clad belly. “I’m a starvin’ Marvin. I hope they have waffles again.”
Throwing my covers off, I stand up. “Me too, but I think we missed breakfast. I’ll call the front desk and find out.”
Evie answers on the fourth ring and I quickly fill her in on our ‘starving’ Marvin’ status. She confirms that breakfast won’t be served again until tomorrow, but that she’ll head our way with some supplies to tide us over. After hanging up, I hurry around and get dressed while encouraging the kids to do the same.
A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. It’s Evie carrying a basket that’s nearly half her size.
“There are only three of us, you know,” I tell her laughingly.
“I know, but Grandpa Jack thought you might need more. Most folks who stay awhile usually go into town and pick up snacks and stuff at the market.”
“I’ll definitely do that. But what do I do about a car? Is there a place in Gamble to rent one?”
She reaches into her pocket and hands me a set of keys. “These are for the old Toyota pickup. It’s parked right next to the golf carts up at the lodge.”
“Thank you! Do I just leave it there when I’m done?”
She nods her head. “If you want to go now, I can drive you up. “
“Just let me unload this lovely basket into the fridge.” I pull out fresh fruit, more milk, butter, bread, and an assortment of meats and cheese, as well as several pre-made sandwiches. “My goodness, I’m not going to need much with all of this.”
“Living in the middle of nowhere Alaska makes it imperative to always have supplies on hand. We had such a bad storm a couple of winters ago that supply trucks couldn’t get here for two weeks.”
“What did people do?” I can’t imagine not being able to get food. While I grew up in Illinois and we always had a garden, we relied on the grocery store for most of our sustenance.
“Everyone’s freezer is full of elk, moose, and bear. We got by.”
I turn toward her with my face so scrunched up it probably looks like a fist. “Bear?”
“Some of the old folks eat it and swear it’s as good as venison. Personally, I’m not a huge fan, but I did eat some that winter.”
Shaking my head, I tell her, “This reallyisthe last frontier, isn’t it?”
“Oh, yeah. If you need a lot of conveniences to thrive, this is not the place to be.”
I call out, “Kids, come on! Evie is going to drive us to the lodge.”
“Yay!!” They cheer simultaneously while running out to the living room.
“I want pancakes!” Lily shouts.
“I want waffles,” Liam tells her.
Evie turns her attention to me. “We’re prepping for lunch up at the lodge, so if you want pancakes and stuff, you’ll need to hit the diner in town. Moira serves you whatever meal you want, no matter the time of day.”
“That sounds like just the ticket.” I grab a light jacket from off the back of the chair, throw my purse over my shoulder and announce, “I want a three-egg omelet with hash browns, bacon, toast, and orange juice.”
By the time we get up to the lodge, the kids’ and my stomachs are growling so loudly, you’d think we hadn’t eaten in a week. Evie gives us directions to town, which aren’t exactly essential: turn left at the end of the road and you’ll run into it.
“The market is across the street from the diner. The only places on Main Street are a bar, a beauty shop, a gas station, and a hardware store.”
