“I was trying to come up with a hobby. Turns out I don’t have one.”
“Hmm…that’s…wow. Sad but true. You really don’t have a hobby. You should seriously get one.”
“That’s what I was just trying to figure out. I don’t even know what I like to do other than decorating and that’s not really a hobby. It’s more like a career.”
“So change careers!” Sam said with the same exuberance he gave to everything.
She envied that about him.
“Sam, you don’t just go and change careers! I’ve invested a lot of time, money, and energy into what I do! And I happen to enjoy it!”
“Do you? Because it never seems that way. And I change careers all the time! It’s not possible to simply go to college, pick a career, and never do anything else for the rest of your life. It just isn’t,” he explained levelly. “How do you know there isn’t anything else out there for you? Or something you may like even better? Remember the summer you did all that work on the boathouse? You loved it! We all thought you’d go into decorating.”
Yeah, she had loved it and in a perfect world it would have been a career path for her, but…she lacked the confidence to try. What she was doing now was a good, solid career choice. If she stayed up-to-date with technology, she would always have a job. If she did something different like decorating, though…
“I can hear you thinking from here, Mal.”
“I just don’t think I’m the kind of person who can just…switch careers. It seems like a huge risk. And with this new promotion…”
“Fine, don’t change careers,” he said with a small sigh. “But you really do need to do something about a hobby. And a social life.”
If only it were that easy…
“I don’t even know where to begin,” she admitted. “I never gave it much thought. Computers and technology have been my only interests for a while now.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Mal. You’re just going to have to get out there and find some new interests.”
They were talking in circles and weren’t getting anywhere. Changing the subject was the only way to keep her sane. “So tell me about this cabin!”
“Can I let you in on a little secret?”
“Sure.”
“I keep a couple of bottles of whiskey down here that no one knows about,” Zeke said with an impish grin. “Gertie would have my hide if she knew I was still having a shot a day. Hell, Susannah would too.”
Jake couldn’t help but laugh. The power was out, they were down in the storm cellar, and truth be told, he was more than a little scared. The wind was like nothing he had ever seen. Magnolia Sound had risen so much that most of Zeke’s yard was flooded, and at last check, they’d lost about a dozen trees. Luckily the house was up on a hill so they were somewhat safe, but in his entire life, he’d never witnessed a hurricane like this and he prayed he never would again.
Then said another prayer he’d live through this one.
“How did you manage to keep it from Gertie? She rules this place with a bit of an iron first.” The truth was, Gertie was almost seventy now and she was more like family than hired help. Jake had a feeling she knew more than she let on, but also knew when to simply let something slide.
Zeke waved him off. “She likes to think she runs this place, but there’s plenty I don’t tell her and she doesn’t know.”
Again, Jake doubted it, but he’d humor Zeke.
It was a good way to pass the time.
It was only seven o’clock but it was already dark out and they had no power. They were using one of the battery-powered lanterns to see each other. They’d played several games of poker, listened to the radio for weather updates, and ate a couple of sandwiches for dinner. Undoubtedly, Zeke would be asleep within the hour and then Jake would be alone with his thoughts–too keyed up to sleep.
“I used to keep cigars down here, but the damn things smell enough that Gertie caught me,” Zeke said with a small laugh. “I know she’s just looking out for me, but at my age, I should be able to enjoy the things I want without anyone giving me any grief.” He paused and leaned back in his chair, a piece of lawn furniture they’d pulled inside for safekeeping. “No one lives forever, Jake. No amount of good, clean living is going to change that. Trust me.”
Unsure of what to say, Jake simply nodded.
“I’ve lived longer than anyone in my family,” Zeke went on. “I’m ninety-six years old. My father died when he was sixty. My mother lived to be eighty.” He paused. “I outlived my wife and children.” He paused again and wiped at his eyes before looking at Jake again. “I’m tired, son. I’ve lived a good life. And if I want to sit here and have some whiskey and smoke a cigar…well…I should be able to.”
Then he slowly stood up and walked over to the row of shelves in the far corner. Jake figured he was going to grab the whiskey. He could use a shot of it himself. This was all a lot harder on his nerves than he thought it would be. There wasn’t any reception for his cell phone and he wished more than anything that he could talk to someone and let them know they were okay. None of his texts were going through, but that didn’t mean he’d stop trying. At some point they would but right now he just wished he could connect with the outside world.
Zeke came back and sat down, placing a bottle of Johnnie Walker Double Black on the table along with two shot glasses and two cigars. The smile on the old man’s face was one of pure glee.
Shaking his head, Jake smiled too.
“The last two,” Zeke said with a wink.
Doing his best to sit back, relax, and ignore the harsh sounds of Mother Nature just outside the door, Jake accepted the shot glass. “What are we drinking to?”
Maybe it was the lighting or maybe it was just his imagination, but for a second he swore Zeke’s expression went sad. But in the blink of an eye, he was smiling again. “To life,” he said with a bit of gusto. “To life with a good woman.” He paused. “And I had the best. Can’t wait to see her again.” He touched his glass to Jake’s. “Cheers!”
The liquor burned going down but right now, he welcomed it. Placing his glass back on the table, he laughed softly when Zeke handed him a cigar. Smoking was never his thing, but he figured right now, why not?
They sat in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they lit their cigars. It took a lot of effort not to cough, but it wasn’t nearly as unpleasant as Jake thought it would be.
“Can I ask you something?” Zeke asked, his voice a little softer than it had been a minute ago.
“Sure.”
“You gonna stay here in Magnolia Sound?”
He nodded. “That’s the plan.” Then he waited for Zeke to expand on that question, but he didn’t. Instead, he gave Jake a curt nod and went back to his cigar.
The silence continued for a few more minutes before Zeke spoke again. “You want to know something funny?”
It was obvious his old friend’s train of thought was all over the place tonight, and Jake knew he’d go on humoring him as long as he needed to. “Sure.”
“I always wished all the kids–the grandkids and great-grandkids–would move back here someday. There’s something that does my heart good when I see them all here.” He let out a long breath and took another puff of his cigar. “Holidays and birthdays are all a great excuse to get together, but I fear everyone will continue to spread out all over the damn place and soon no one will remember that a family founded this town.” He paused. “Because that family is gone.”
Damn. “You know that’s never going to happen, Zeke. Georgia and Beau are never going to leave Magnolia and you know they won’t let Mason leave either,” he added with a slight chuckle. “Parker and Peyton are always going to come back here because of their parents.”
“Hmph…maybe.”
“Susannah came back,” Jake went on. “And you know she’s been gone the longest.”
“She only came back to take care of me because Georgia wanted to put me i
n a home and take my house for herself,” he groused. “Well, she’s in for a rude awakening.”
Jake knew better than to touch that comment with a ten-foot pole.
“I know it’s been a while since Cash has been home, but you know Grace and the boys have always been nearby. They’re here for every holiday and every occasion.”
“It’s not the same as them being part of the town. But I will say this, those three boys are hell-raisers and maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t live here when they were younger. They’re turning into grown men now. It’s time they act more responsibly.”
Jake nodded but didn’t want to comment. There was no doubt that Garrett, Jackson, and Austin Coleman were handfuls. The stories about their antics always abounded at Coleman family gatherings. But Zeke had a point–it was definitely a benefit that they weren’t pulling pranks here in Magnolia Sound. Poor Zeke would have lost his mind trying to deal with them over the years.
“Back when I was younger, we all had a hand in this town. I still do,” he stated. “No one pays much attention to it, but I still own a dozen businesses here. Why? Because it’s important for me to stay involved. I like the connection to my community. I don’t understand why it’s not something this younger generation wants.”
“Different times, Zeke. It’s a different world than when you were growing up.”
“Don’t I know it.” He paused and took another puff of his cigar. “I’d like to think I left a good legacy for the great-grandkids and that they appreciate it.”
“Zeke…”
The old man looked at him, his expression somewhat fierce. “This town is going to be a mess after this storm does its damage. Everyone’s going to look around and be sad because so much will be gone.” He paused. “But I want them to look around and be thankful for all that remains.”
Before Jake could ask what that meant, Zeke was standing and stretching before putting out his cigar. “As much as I’d like to stay up and see what Mother Nature has in store for us, it’s past my bedtime.” He gave a small wave and turned toward the back of the cellar where the cots were. He’d only gone a few steps when he turned around. “You’re a good man, Jacob. You’ve always been like one of my great-grandkids and I’m thankful you cared enough to stay. Not just here in Magnolia, but here today with me.”
And damn if that didn’t choke him up a bit. Putting out his cigar, Jake stood and walked over to Zeke. Placing a hand on his long-time mentor’s shoulder, he said, “There was no way I was leaving you here alone. We’re in this together.”
Nodding, Zeke motioned toward the cots. “They’re not the most comfortable things, but I’ve slept on worse. Make sure to try and get some sleep.”
“I will.”
Zeke studied him for a long moment and Jake was certain there was more he wanted to say. But al he said was “Good night.”
Jake took a step back and watched as Zeke settled in and turned out the lantern that was back there. He contemplated trying to catch a couple of hours of sleep himself, but his mind wasn’t ready to shut down yet. Walking back over toward the door to the cellar, he opted to go out and check on the upstairs to make sure things were still intact.
It didn’t take long to see that so far there were no obvious signs of damage to the house and no leaks that he could find. Of course the worst of the storm had yet to hit and they still had another twenty-four hours to get through before they could say the worst was behind them.
Back on the lower level of the house was the lone door they hadn’t covered with boards and Jake braced himself as he stepped outside. There was a deck above him that offered some protection from the rain and it felt good to breathe in some fresh air. After a few minutes, he knew he had to go back inside because the wind and rain were just too much to take.
After an hour, he gave up the fight and figured he’d try to get some sleep. After tossing and turning and trying to get comfortable, Jake realized Zeke was right–the cots weren’t very comfortable–but once he accepted that fact and cleared his mind, he did fall asleep.
There was a loud crash in the distance and Jake woke up instantly. He had no idea how long he had been asleep–was it minutes? Hours? –but he jumped up from the cot and immediately went in search of what had happened.
Out of the cellar, he walked up the stairs to the main floor of the house and felt a definite breeze coming from somewhere. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he also saw it was almost five in the morning and was surprised he had slept all night. Moving from room to room, he noted the kitchen, dining room, and living room were all in good condition. Moving to the other side of the house, he saw that Zeke’s office was fine as well. Down the hall he went to the newer wing of the house. It was where there were two guest rooms and Zeke’s suite.
“Damn,” he muttered, seeing that a tree had crushed the front corner of the house and one of the guest rooms was completely destroyed. He hated that it happened but was relieved it was this side of the house and not the original structure. Closing the door to that room seemed like the only thing he could do to keep the elements at least partially at bay.
Moving across the hall to Zeke’s room, he paused. Why was the door closed? When he had walked around last night, he knew all the doors were opened. Shaking his head, he opened the door and froze.
Zeke was in the bed.
“You stubborn little rascal,” he whispered, softly chuckling to himself. It shouldn’t have surprised him. It was amazing he had kept Zeke down in the cellar as long as he had. And he said a quick prayer of thanks the tree hadn’t made it to this side of the house.
Then something else occurred to him.
Why wasn’t Zeke awake?
The noise of the tree crashing on the house was loud enough that it woke Jake up, and he was on the other side of the house, a floor down, in a highly-insulated cellar. How could Zeke sleep through that? How could…?
“No,” he said in a near sob. His entire body began to tremble and he quickly walked over next to the bed. Jake reached out and touched Zeke’s shoulder. It was all he had to do. Dropping to his knees, he put his head on the mattress and cried like he hadn’t in years.
Maybe ever.
When he looked up, he saw how peaceful his friend looked and thought about all the things they’d talked about the night before.
This was why Zeke didn’t want to leave.
He knew it was his time and wanted to be here in his own home, his own bed.
And damn if that didn’t make him start crying again.
How was he supposed to tell Zeke’s family? How was he supposed to break the news to everyone in this town that the man who meant so much to so many was gone?
Zeke’s words from the previous night came to mind and he realized how prophetic they actually were. Soon no one will remember that a family founded this town. Because that family is gone.
“I’ll never let that happen,” he said quietly, his voice trembling. “No one will ever forget you or all that you’ve done for this town. You touched so many lives and I promise that your legacy will live on.” His throat clogged with emotion as an entire lifetime of memories seemed to play out in his mind. Old Zeke had been there for every milestone in Jake’s life – there wasn’t a time when he hadn’t been there with praise or encouragement or even some stern advice. How was he supposed to move forward without him? How was anyone who knew him?
He had no idea how much time he stayed there kneeling beside the bed with one hand on Zeke’s shoulder. Again, it could have been minutes or even hours. But before he moved, he had some things he needed to say.
“You’re the reason I am who I am today,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “You took a chance on me when I was just a kid and taught me more than anyone else I’ve ever met. Hell, I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for you. You know I love my parents and they are amazing, but you always understood me in a way they never did.” He paused. “Last night you said you always thought of me as one of your gr
eat-grandkids, and I want you to know…what I should have told you…is that I’ve always thought of you as not just my grandfather, but one of my best friends and a mentor. You meant the world to me, Zeke. The world is going to be a much lonelier place without you.” Another pause. “I can only hope that I make you proud. That I live up to everything you saw in me.”
Standing, he took another minute to compose himself. “Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. I promise to make sure no one in this town forgets you.” He gave a trembly smile. “And I hope you’re finally sitting and holding hands with that beautiful wife of yours. I bet she was glad to finally see you and welcome you home.”
Then, slowly and reverently, he pulled the sheet up and covered his friend before walking out of the room.
Outside the weather was angry and Jake wanted to howl with the wind and let out his own anger and devastation over this cruel twist of fate. As he made his way back toward the living room, he knew nothing was ever going to be the same again–not the town, not the family, but most of all, him.
3
Mallory stood at the curb outside of baggage claim and willed herself not to cry. It had been a losing battle for more than three days, so she had no idea why she thought it would work now. Looking to her left, she spotted her mother’s car. Picking up her luggage, she made her way through the small crowd of people and waited for her mother to pull up.
At the curb, Susannah stopped and parked before getting out to help Mallory with the bags. Once they were situated in the trunk, she turned and hugged her daughter. They clung to each other even as they cried. Several horns sounded at them, and within minutes they were in the car and pulling away.
“How was your flight?”
Shrugging, Mallory said, “Uneventful. No delays or screaming babies. That’s a win in my book.”
They both laughed softly before Susannah spoke. “I was surprised you wanted to fly. You normally enjoy the drive.”
“Under any other circumstance I do, but…I just felt like I needed to get here. Not that flying saved a lot of time. Between arriving at the airport early, changing flights in Charlotte…”
Remind Me Page 4
