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“Next time, I want to hear my son-in-law on the line,” she playfully warned her daughter.
Rory laughed at her mother’s antics. “Okay, Mom, next time.”
After she ended the call, her mind flashed back to the reading of the will. The day she found out that despite her father’s threats and coldness toward her and her sisters, he’d still left the business to them. The biggest shock, however, had been the revelation that their mother was struggling with a life-threatening disease. ALS was no joke. The research she’d done had left her with nothing but helplessness and dread. Perhaps this final act, though, was their father’s way of bringing them all together as a family so that they could heal and rebuild their family bond.
She remembered the letter he’d left for them and how the letter had proved his love for them. She remembered curling up in her old bed and re-reading it to herself.
Dear girls,
If you are reading this letter, then I suppose it means I’m dead. What can I say that will make this moment any better for you all?
Firstly, I want you to know that I love you very much. I’ve never stopped. I know, in the end, it seemed like the opposite and I am sorry for that. I was proud, selfish, and stuck in my old ways.
My wish is that you will take care of your mother, be there for her, and make her comfortable. She’s the only woman I’ve ever loved and this is my final act of love for her. If you choose to sell the property after she’s gone, I understand.
Be good to each other, love each other and most importantly, stick together.
I love you.
Dad.
Like they had at the bar, her tears had fallen unabated as she thought about how much she’d regretted not getting to see him before his death. Her sisters had come in at that moment, causing her to wipe her tears as they thought about what they needed to do.
“I’ll stay,” Cora had volunteered. “I don’t really have anything to get back to in Seattle. I’m on a year-long leave from the paper, the girls are off doing their own thing and I am free…” She hadn’t finished her statement, but her sisters were able to fill in the missing piece.
“Mom needs at least one of us to be here, so I’ll do it,” she finished.
Andrea and Josephine each gave her arm a gentle squeeze of gratitude and encouragement.
“I wish there was more I could do, but my job as a sous chef is too demanding. They wouldn’t understand, and they would probably write it off as me abandoning my job. As soon as I get some things in order, I promise I’ll do more,” Andrea heard Josephine say.
“It’s okay, Jo, I know. We’ll make it work,” Cora assured her.
“I promise, I’ll be back by next week,” Andrea spoke to Cora.
That had been over a month ago.
After fifteen minutes of traveling on the highway, she could see the Deception Pass Bridge. Even being a few feet away from its entrance, Andrea couldn’t help but marvel at its magnificence. It was a remarkable structure, a complete wrought iron network that arched over the blue-green waters that were as tumultuous as they were deep. Yet, just looking over the drop-off, you couldn’t help but be bowled over by the serenity of the view. There was the welcomed view of the magnificent species of broad-winged birds hovering in the distance as the wind aided their seeming immobility, appearing transfixed in the air and the different landforms like small islands and wide mountain ranges that rose from the surface of the ocean. It all created the perfect, picture-worthy backdrop.
She remembered that on the north side of the bridge, you got the best views of the entire eastward side of Skagit County, and if you wanted, you could walk along the west side of the bridge and be blessed with a panoramic view of the Canadian border.
Just entering the bridge brought back so many memories of her time here on Whidbey Island. Those had been the best years of her life before life became complicated. Her heart raced in anticipation as she drove along the full length of the 453-foot bridge.
She was back. Back in Whidbey, on her way to Oak Harbor and her home. Andrea felt as if a hand was gripping her heart and squeezing it until it became almost unbearable to breathe. Even though she’d been back for the funeral, it felt as if it was the first time she was seeing the place in twenty-five years. When she’d attended her father’s funeral, she had little time to focus on anything else.
Soon she passed the sign that read, “Welcome to Whidbey Island,” displaying the most prominent activities that the island was popular for.
The view of the Cascade Mountain range with its snow-topped mountains came into view. It became the prominent feature in her mirror the further inland she drove.
As she traveled along the main road, she marveled at the way the overall layout remained the same despite a few new establishments she guessed sprang up after she left. The most drastic changes were found in Downtown Oak Harbor where it seemed a bit more urbanized than she remembered. There were a few high-rise business complexes, fast food restaurants, fine dining restaurants, and parking lots. Many of the single retail shops were still present, however. She was happy the town had managed to preserve its individuality.
Shortly after passing through the business district, Andrea made a turn onto NE 8thAve when there was a sudden loud pop, and the car swerved to the side. Andrea quickly pumped the brakes, causing the Jeep to jolt to a stop. She slid out of the vehicle to inspect the damage.
“Shoot!” she exclaimed as she stared at the busted-up back wheel of the Jeep. There was no way she would make it to the property on a flat. She’d ruin the rim. The best she could do was probably try to make it to the old gas station that also housed a garage less than a mile away. At least she hoped it was still there. She remembered the owner Mr. Gourdie had been good friends with her father.
Andrea drove slowly, wincing every time the metal rim scraped against the asphalt.
“Please still be there,” she whispered desperately.
