Lewis & Ondarko - Best Friends 03 - Now and Zen

by Deb Lewis

  “I’m doing Tarot readings with the group,” Bev volunteered. “I can ask around.”

  “We’ll put our heads together and see what we can come up with,” Deb offered helpfully.

  “But we’re not getting involved with any kind of investigation,” Pat reminded.

  “Thanks, ladies,” Mike replied with relief. “Here’s my card with my cell number. Let me know what you find out. Call me.” Then he turned and walked out the door.

  Deb’s mind was whirling as she turned back to Pat and Bev, who sat in thoughtful silence.

  Pat was the first to break the quiet.

  “What have you gone and done this time, girlfriend?” she asked with a hint of worry in her voice. “We really don’t have time for this right now, you know.”

  “How on earth can anyone get lost on a ferry?” Deb replied, ignoring Pat. “It’s only about the size of my house. Come to think of it, lots of things get lost in my house, but never any people, so far, anyway!”

  “I suppose the woman could have jumped over,” offered Bev.

  “Suicide? But the way the guy described her to Mike, it sounds like she was happy and serene,” Pat argued begrudgingly. “I don’t think that’s highly likely.”

  “What if someone pushed her?” Deb said.

  “On purpose, you mean? Come on, Deb. You’re a little jaded from coming across those two bodies in the last few years,” Pat retorted. “Besides, it was late morning on a bright, sunny day. And with all those people on board, don’t you think someone would have heard a splash? I would have heard a splash, wouldn’t you?”

  “No. But with all the motor noise and excitement, even if I had heard one I wouldn’t have thought anything of it,” Deb said.

  “No matter what you want to believe, people find all sorts of reasons to end their lives or at the very least to appear to disappear,” Bev said sagely.

  “As far as I know, it’s never happened here, though,” Pat replied.

  “What if she was trying to escape from an abusive relationship, or running from the I.R.S., or grieving the loss of a beloved boyfriend?” Bev continued.

  “Or pretending to disappear so that her mother can’t call her?” Deb joked. “Just kidding, you know,” she added quickly.

  “Well, all kidding aside, I think it was just a mistake in counting,” Pat said. “With all those people, surely they could have missed one somewhere. I don’t think we should let our imaginations run wild, like the characters in Evanovich novels. Remember, Deb, getting sucked into solving a mystery isn’t that much fun, as we both well know.” She gave Deb a knowing smile and Deb reached over and patted her arm.

  Deb pressed her face to the window, now facing west up the channel between the Apostle Islands. The sun shone on the water as through a prism, reflected in dancing droplets of light that sparkled on the crystal clear inland sea. Her concern momentarily vanished; Deb’s awareness was blissfully drawn to watching the reflected light on the water.

  Little did she know that they would all soon be embroiled in the case of a missing woman.

  Chapter Ten

  June 20

  Taking advantage of the quiet cabin while Deb and Pat were away meeting Bev, Linda used her spare time to settle in. Opening the closet in her room, she reached in to hang her clothes and line her things up in the empty space.

  Pushing the hung clothes over to the left to make more room, she noticed a shelf piled with black leather books, stacked neatly in the far corner. Curiosity got the better of her. Reaching in and taking out the book on top, she brushed off a layer of dust with her finger and wiped her hands off on her pants.

  Island Memories was embossed in gold on the front cover.

  Oh, my gosh, what on earth is this? she wondered.

  Opening the book and sitting down in a comfy chair, she paged through the handwritten entries and started to read.

  “My God! They have the same age difference as my husband and I do!” Linda said out loud. She continued to read.

  Linda teared up as she finished.

  What’s this all about? she wondered. My own marriage? This could have been me.

  Startled from self-reflection, she turned and looked over her shoulder as the door behind her opened unexpectedly.

  “What are you doing in there, friend?” Carolyn asked. “I’ve been waiting to walk down to the dock with you!”

  “Not your business!” Linda snapped.

  “Jeeze, Louise, Linda. What’s wrong with you?”

  “Oh, I am so sorry,” she said when she saw Carolyn back up a little. “It’s just that I was reading something in an old journal from this cabin and it just upset me.

  “What do you mean?”

  “This couple stayed here back in 1945 during the war. They weren’t even married and the woman’s husband was away doing his duty with the Navy. And she was writing about leaving him for her young boyfriend! I just don’t understand how anyone would do such a thing.”

  “We all have our choices in life,” Carolyn responded gently, sitting on the bed beside her.

  “We sure do.”

  “Think about it, Linda. Your first husband came back from Vietnam and became a crazy person and you didn’t know what to do.”

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “My point is that we can’t always judge the trials of others.”

  Linda sighed heavily.

  “Give me a little time. I just don’t feel like going for a walk right now.”

  “Let me have a look at these. I just love history!” Carolyn reached onto the shelf and pulled out a volume. “Oh, these look like fun, Linda.”

  Her walk to the dock temporarily forgotten she sat in the rocker, paging through the book. She stopped abruptly in the middle.

  “Look! Here’s an entry from people named Lundgren from 1906. I have to read this! That was my maiden name you know, Linda.”

  Linda didn’t answer. Her thoughts were far away.

  Not noticing Linda’s distance, Carolyn began to read aloud.

  Carolyn paused as she thought of her daily dip in her double Jacuzzi. She continued to read.

  Carolyn gasped.

  “Oh my Lord! My great grandfather was from Omaha! These people could be my relatives! But what in the world?” she wondered aloud. “How on earth could anyone live without running water or flushes and still be grateful?

  Carolyn’s brow furrowed deeply at the thought.

  “Surely times have changed. No one could live like that anymore.”

  “Are you planning a party in here?”

  Bev knocked on the door with one hand while hanging onto her walker with the other. Linda stood up.

  “Hi, Bev,” she said, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

  “We didn’t even hear you come in,” Carolyn said, “but we discovered a treasure trove of history in the closet. And believe it or not, I might just have found one of my few relatives.”

  “Really?” Bev asked, with interest. “Let me see.” She held out her hand.

  “Well the name fits, but what are the odds that a relative of mine could show up in a journal entry from 1906 that I just happen to come across?”

  “About as likely that you would meet your high school classmate from Omaha on the streets of Bayfield, Wisconsin, during the Apple Fest in a crowd of fifty thousand people,” Bev reminded her, looking up from the book.

  “You know what Deb always says about Lake Superior. That it’s a connector that brings people together.”

  “If you ask me, this is downright spooky. I wonder what happened to these people after they left this place.” Carolyn mused. “I’m going to look this woman up on my iPad and see if I can find out more. Let’s just hope they were able to move out of their poor lives and prosper from all their hard work.”

  “That’s not what would make her happy, Carolyn,” Bev advised.

  Feeling uneasy, Carolyn pulled out her cell phone and dialed hurriedly.

  “Hello, honey. Is that you?” she
said in a loud voice. “It’s me. How’s the Bayfield Inn? Is it comfortable enough for you?”

  “He’s staying in Bayfield?” Bev whispered. “Can’t he even let you go away for one weekend?”

  “Are you finding enough to do?” Carolyn continued. She paused, listening. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon. Listen. Do you remember where we can get discount coupons for dinner at the Bell Street? I think we might go there to eat tonight. Really? Not during peak season? Is that right? Okay, I just thought I’d check before spending all that money if I don’t need to. Love you. Bye. “

  Bev raised her eyebrow at Carolyn. Carolyn’s coupon cutting was legendary among the women. This time, Carolyn wasn’t calling for the coupons.

  “Weren’t we supposed to be meeting next door?” Linda asked, quietly leaving the room. “I’m going to go see if the coffee’s on.”

  * * *

  “Let’s go check out the town, Noreen,” Julie said. “Maybe we can find some places for the extra workshops.”

  “Extra workshops?” Deb asked.

  “Sure, with all the people we’ll probably have to add some.”

  “Yeah, let’s go look. Do you want us to ask about available space if we see some likely spots?” Noreen asked as she turned to Pat.

  “Sure, that would be great.”

  “We need a walk and I want to check out my spot for the painting class anyway.”

  “If you’re doing that,” Bev said, pushing away from the table and looking at Linda, “let’s go and talk to Lotta, the owner of the coffee shop. I’ve got to put up my signup list for readings.” She held up the paper she had been working on.

  The four women left the cabin chatting.

  “Darn, I could have taught a quilting class if I’d known. Maybe next year,” Carolyn said.

  “Actually, there is somewhere they might need your expert help. St. John’s church has a community store for weavers, potters and quilters who live here on the island,” Pat suggested. “You might want to check it out.”

  “Great idea!”

  After Carolyn left, the cabin was suddenly quiet.

  “Let’s take a cup out on the stoop,” Pat said.

  “Yes, let’s,” Deb agreed.

  * * *

  They sat outside the cabin drinking cups of coffee with a little brandy in them to help keep warm.

  “Look at all those women coming off the ferry!” Pat said, waving back as a group of native women strolled by chatting and smiling. Rubbing her right knee, Pat started to get up. Deb took her eyes off the wave of people to look at her friend.

  “Where are you going? You haven’t finished your cup yet, and this may be our only break until the end of the retreat. I made it just the way you like it, with something special added for relaxing.”

  “I notice you’ve been doing that a lot lately.”

  Must be menopausal, Pat thought. Whatever it was, she liked the additive.

  “I’ll be right back.” Without explanation, Pat went through the old screen door, and Deb heard her rummaging around in the kitchen. After a final bang of a cupboard door, Deb started to get up.

  What the heck is she doing now? Then smiling, she sat down again as her friend came out with a plate of cookies.

  “This may help. They’re chocolate chip.”

  “What we need is not chocolate. What we need is a miracle,” Deb said, holding out her hand for a cookie.

  “It’s probably not as bad as it looks,” Pat said. “Probably everyone had the same idea to get here early. Next ferry will probably be empty.”

  Deb just looked at her. “That’s a lot of probablys.” She looked up to see a familiar figure coming down the street.

  “Is there one more cup for me?” the woman asked, approaching the steps. “Wow! Look at these crowds. It’ll be something if they all come to breakfast at the church. We’ve already bought up all the eggs and bacon at the Island Store.”

  Pat jumped up and went into the kitchen to get another mug.

  “Do you want a booster in it?” she yelled out the door.

  “I’m not a drinker myself, but today, sure.” Taking a deep sip as Pat handed her the coffee, she put her feet up.

  “Do you think you can get more food over on the first ferry?” Pat asked.

  “All things are possible with God’s help,” she replied.

  “God and Mike that is,” Pat added. The three women spent a few minutes in silence watching the crowds pile off the ferry.

  More food? Pat thought. Is this woman crazy? These people can’t all be coming for the retreat. It’s just not possible!

  Good drink, Deb thought, taking another swig from her mug. Almost worth all this bother.

  With all the cash we make from the breakfast tomorrow, we will really be able to upgrade the church organ, the island pastor thought.

  * * *

  As the women sat in the twilight, two moving silhouettes approached the cabin.

  “I think the clearing in front of Bell Street will work just fine for Pie Chi,” Noreen said.

  “What about your art class?” Julie asked. “Didn’t we say it would work well to have it on the lawn outside the library?”

  “Remember, I need to be next to the lake for that. I’d rather take the nearest beach area.”

  “Oh, hi girls,” Deb called. “Did you walk a long way?”

  “All the way to the Marina and back,” Julie replied. “Don’t worry, we have it all figured out.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Pat said. “Do you think we have room for everything?”

  Julie reached into her pocket and pulled out a map she had retrieved from the Ferry Landing. On it, she had highlighted and labeled a spot for each workshop.

  “Looks like you are in good shape,” the pastor marveled, standing up. “I see that things are under control. Well, I’ve got to get back to the church to meet with my breakfast coordinator. She doesn’t have a key.”

  “See you in the morning,” Pat said.

  “Bye.” Waving to them, she walked into the darkness toward the church. “Thanks for the fortification,” she added, glancing back over her shoulder.

  Julie and Noreen sat for awhile on the steps enjoying the unveiling of the evening sky and pointing out constellations.

  Deb’s head began to nod from the effects of the brandy. She was roused by the sound of her phone once again breaking into her revelry.

  “Hi, it’s me,” Marc said. “Is everything okay over there? I just saw something on television about a missing woman.”

  “Television? Really?” Deb’s eyes widened.

  “Television?” echoed the voices of the others.

  Chapter Eleven

  June 20

  After what seemed like an eternity practicing crisis management and finding spaces for women where there were none, Pat put down her pen and sighed.

  “There. No one will sleep out under the stars tonight unless they want to. Let’s call it a day.”

  “I’ll pour,” Carolyn said, bringing in a tray laden with a pitcher of frozen Vodka Shushes and tall glasses.

  “Look! It’s our vacation drink. I can’t believe we’re drinking again,” Deb said. “Just one for me. We have a long day tomorrow. Here’s to old friends!”

  Sitting in the rocker, Bev handed matches to Julie, who was busying herself building a fire in the old woodstove in the corner. Noreen rifled through an antique LP record collection in the corner, looking for suitable music.

  “Does anyone have any Tylenol?” Deb asked, rubbing her temples, as she lay on the opposite end of the couch from Pat.

  “I do!” Linda replied solicitously. She paused from sweeping up a pile of crumbs and put her broom in the corner.

  “What’s the matter? Are you not feeling well?”

  “I’m worried about how we’re going to manage all the crowds tomorrow. I feel like I’m swimming without a life jacket in deep water and about to go under. Whose idea was this, anyway?” she whined, directing her gaze ac
cusingly in Pat’s direction.

  “It seems to me someone in this room talked about ‘building it so they would come.’ Didn’t know you were such a good carpenter, Deb,” Pat retorted.

  “Well, I have the hard muscles tonight to prove it,” Deb replied, continuing to rub the back of her neck. “Especially in my neck and shoulders. Man, am I tight.”

  “I heard that there will be hot rock massage on the screen porch at Lotta’s tomorrow,” Linda offered.

  “I’m going to have to get one,” Deb replied.

  “Lotta’s is even serving fancy hors d’oeuvres. I’m sure you could get in,” Pat added soothingly. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. We’ve done all we can planning this retreat. So, let’s talk about the woman who went missing.”

  “You two aren’t feeling responsible for that, are you?” Julie asked, looking over at them and pausing from her fire making. “You know it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Easy to say, but harder to believe,” Deb replied. “If we hadn’t created so much chaos with all the women on the ferry, maybe the staff could have kept better track of things.”

  “There you go again, Deb,” Pat admonished gently. “Taking responsibility for everything that happens in life. This is not about you. And you don’t have to fix it either.”

  “Did you hear that?” Linda asked suddenly.

  “What?” Pat replied.

  “It sounds like a scratching noise. Listen.”

  The women fell silent and strained to hear.

  “I thought I heard it,” Bev replied. “Maybe I’ll get to see my first bear in the wild. I was hoping for that as a matter of fact.”

  “Maybe it’s a porcupine under the porch,” Pat said.

  “Maybe it’s the ghost of that missing woman coming back to haunt us,” Noreen teased.

  “Get out of here!” Deb replied. “I’m going outside to look. Where’s the flashlight?”