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“We’re just trying to take it one step at a time. You being here, I’m sure, will boost her spirit even more.”
Andrea turned her head to see her sister staring back at her, a small encouraging smile on her lips. She returned the smile, but, on the inside, she was filled with angst.
When they finally made it onto Torpedo Road, which indicated that they were only a few minutes away from the driveway that led to the property, Andrea’s heartbeat threatened to burst through her rib cage, and her stomach felt as if it was twisted in knots. Her knuckles lost all color as they tightly gripped the seat belt to keep them from shaking.
Andrea tried to take deep, slow breaths to reduce the tension that was causing the nerve at her temple to pulsate the way it was. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Cora to turn the car around and drive her back to Mr. Gourdie. She would wait on him to fix her tire and then return to her home in Arlington, where she had control over the events of her life. Maybe if she did, then that would mean all this wasn’t real, that maybe it was just a figment of her imagination, and her father hadn’t truly died a month ago, and her mother didn’t have ALS.
She saw the upcoming turn on the left, a few feet away, and her heart slammed against her chest, squeezing out the last of her breath. Cora, as if sensing her unease, gave the hand in her lap a gentle squeeze, reminding Andrea that she was there for her. Andrea returned her sister’s squeeze as she made the turn onto the semi-paved path and continued past the sign, “Welcome to Willberry Inn, Restaurant and Property.”
As soon as they passed the semi-arched driveway, she took the time to admire the landscape. Even though she was only getting glimpses as Cora drove by, it could not be denied that the property looked even more spectacular than it had when she left. The lawn on either side of the path hedged by a plethora of colorful flowers and ornamentals was lusciously green and only interrupted by the Garry oak trees and caged by the thick woodlands that blocked the view of the Crescent Harbor— an extension of the whole property.
They passed the three-story colonial home that had been remodeled into an inn. It was just as she remembered it except for a few remodeling changes, such as the wide sliding windows and the wide balconies that surrounded the two upper floors. It was an all-white regal building accentuated by the large mahogany door with brass handles. Shortly after passing the inn, they drove by the new and improved barn house that had been remodeled and modernized into a restaurant. It still, however, maintained a rustic look with its natural stained wood exterior on display. Andrea appreciated the work and thought how much work had gone into it all.
Less than two minutes after, they pulled up to the house that held so many childhood memories of her. She braced herself for the onslaught of emotions like the first time they had bowled her over when she’d returned for her father’s funeral.
“Everyone’s around the back by the patio,” Cora informed her as soon as they got out of the car.
“Okay, let me take my things to the room, freshen up a bit, and then I’ll join the festivities.” Andrea removed her luggage from the back of the car when the front door opened, causing her to look back. The man standing on the porch had such an uncanny resemblance to her father. Her heart lurched. She caught herself before the word “Daddy” left her mouth.
Uncle Luke walked over to them wearing a wide grin.
“Hey, kiddo, it’s good to see you again.”
Andrea walked into her uncle’s waiting arms, hugging him tightly.
“It’s good to be home, Uncle Luke.” She sighed, drawing comfort and strength from the hulking man whose six-foot-three frame towered over her. His sandalwood scent was so reminiscent of her father’s.
“Here, let me take those for you girls.” Uncle Luke took hold of the suitcase and equipment bag and started for the porch. The sisters followed behind.
Andrea marveled at how easily he lifted the bags onto the porch without so much as a hint of strain. At seventy-six, her uncle was still as sturdy as he had been in his younger years.
As soon as she stepped through the front door and into the foyer, memories of her childhood played rapidly through her mind. She remembered the round mahogany center table that still held the ceramic vase that she’d broken by accident. A small smile graced her lips as she recalled how she and her sisters had frantically tried to glue the pieces back together before their parents could have seen it. Unfortunately, they had not done such a great job, and some of the colored pieces had been misplaced. It took no time for her parents to see the poorly done job. Her sisters had stuck up for her by implicating themselves in the act. Her heart skipped a beat, and she was reminded of how it was now.
A wave of nostalgia hit her, and she yearned for the happy family they had been so long ago before everything changed. Perhaps being here now could be a way to rebuild the bond with her entire family.
Uncle Luke set her luggage down in front of her old bedroom before turning to them.
“I’m gonna head on out to the backyard. I left my grandson Trevor to watch over the grill, but you know how these young ones are, always distracted. He’s always on that smartphone doing what only God knows. I’m gonna go rescue our food, so we don’t have to eat charred meat.”
Andrea laughed at the face her uncle made as if he imagined the awful taste of the meat if he allowed his grandson to take over.
“I’ll see you girls outside.”
“Thanks again, Uncle Luke.” Andrea gave him a quick hug before he turned and walked off.
Her room looked the same as she’d left it twenty-five years ago. Her Bruce Springsteen and Queen larger-than-life posters still hung across from each other on opposite walls. A poster of Rob Lowe, her celebrity crush back in the day, stood over her double bed that was adorned with the colorful patchwork quilt she’d gotten as a gift from her aunt Stacey on her fifteenth birthday. Her study desk was still in one of the far corners with books from high school, and her trophies from various academic and sports achievements still featured prominently from the wall shelves and on the top of her chest of drawers.
Andrea ran her hands over the memorabilia that were a reminder of how her life was when she was a teenager. It brought a small smile to her lips.
“It brings back memories, doesn’t it?” Cora stood by the door, watching her sister reacquaint herself with her room.
“It does.” She released a sigh.
“I’ll see you down there. I’ll give you some time to yourself.” The door closed with a soft click.
Andrea walked over to her bed, sat, and exhaled the breath she’d been holding. She knew she needed to go down shortly, but she was happy for the few minutes by herself.
Ten minutes later, Andrea walked out of her room and made her way down the stairs. She walked to the back door that led to the back porch and opened it.
The view before her was spectacular.
