Farewell to Cedar Key

by Terri DuLong

  22

  The following Wednesday morning I’d had the shop open about an hour when I heard the chimes tinkle and looked up to see Simon accompanied by a young woman and a huge golden retriever. I knew this was his daughter, and quite simply, she was stunning. Tall, slim, with thick, dark hair that fell to her shoulders in waves. Her hair color and olive skin made it obvious that she’d gotten most of her genes from Simon’s Italian side of the family. She walked into the shop with an air of confidence, the leash clasped in her hand, the dog leading the way, and designer sunglasses covering her eyes. Had I not known, I never would have guessed that this striking young woman was blind.

  “Good morning,” I said.

  The sound of my voice seemed to direct both Lily and the dog toward me.

  “Josie, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Lily, and this is Leo.”

  Lily extended her hand, which I grasped in both of mine.

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” I told her.

  “Same here,” she said. “My dad’s told me a lot about you, and I couldn’t wait to visit your shop.”

  I let out a chuckle. “Oh, I’m afraid I’m only working here part time till I start working for your dad. Is it okay to pat the dog?”

  “Oh, yes, it’s fine. Leo’s very friendly.”

  “He’s gorgeous,” I said, running my hand along his thick coat. “Have you ever thought about getting his fur spun into fiber for knitting? That fur would make a nice scarf.”

  Lily laughed. “I have heard about that, and I should do it.”

  “The original owner of this shop, Sydney Webster, started her business by doing just that. She spun dog and cat fur into yarn. People seem to like the idea of always having a keepsake from their beloved pets. Would you like to look around the shop?” I asked, and then felt stupid. It was obvious that she couldn’t look around the shop.

  But she surprised me by saying, “Yes, I’d love to. If you could just verbally cue me as to where the yarn is located, I think Leo and I can manage.”

  I proceeded to explain that there were four display tables in the center of the room and the rest of the yarn was in cubbyholes along the two walls.

  “Thanks,” she said, and moved toward the first table with Leo beside her.

  I watched her hand reach out and begin stroking a skein of Elsbeth Lavold ViSilk.

  “Oh, this is nice,” she said.

  “It is. It has the touch of silk with matte tufts that provide a contrast to the smooth viscose. Perfect for comfortable warm-weather garments, and it’s made in Italy.”

  “Does it come in any shades of green?” she asked.

  “It does. I have it available in a celery green, grass green, and a deep emerald.”

  She nodded. “Thanks. I’ll keep browsing.”

  I glanced at Simon and saw the look of pride on his face. He had been right—he had one very independent daughter.

  “She’s lovely,” I said. “Such a pretty girl.”

  “Thanks. Lily arrived Friday, and I spent the weekend letting her get used to the apartment and taking her around the island. But she couldn’t wait until you opened the shop this morning.” He laughed. “You know. That knitter thing.”

  I nodded. “Oh, yeah,” I said as I watched Lily making her way around the shop like any other sighted customer. “I’m leaving on Monday for Boston, but I’d love to have you and Lily to dinner before I go. Any chance you’re free Saturday evening? Orli said she’s anxious to meet both you and your daughter. But . . . I’m not sure I can guarantee such a delicious dinner as you prepared.”

  Simon laughed. “I tend to doubt that, and yes, I think so. Lily.” He called over to his daughter. “Josie would like to have us for dinner Saturday evening, and you can meet her daughter, Orli.”

  Lily turned around and a smile crossed her face. “Oh, thanks. Yes, that sounds great. I’d love to go. She’s not allergic to dogs, though, is she? Leo goes everywhere I do.”

  “No, she’s not, and we both love dogs. Of course Leo is also invited.”

  “Great,” she said before resuming her yarn browse.

  “So are you all packed and ready for your trip?” Simon asked.

  I let out a chuckle. “Not quite. I’m usually pretty organized, but I’ve been busy Christmas shopping, wrapping gifts, that sort of thing. After tonight’s yarn class I’ll be officially finished working here. Today’s my last day in the shop, so that’ll give me a few days to focus on packing.”

  “Will tonight be the end of your knitting classes too?”

  “Well, it’s the final night for the sweater class, but Dora said if the men want to do another class after the first of the year, its fine with her. So we’ll see what they say. It won’t interfere with my day job, because it’s in the evening.”

  “You seem to really enjoy the class, so I hope it’ll continue for you.”

  I noticed that Lily had found the wicker basket for purchases on her own and had quite a few skeins of various yarn filling it.

  “Well, I think this will keep me busy for a while,” she said, walking back toward the counter.

  I peeked inside and saw that she had good taste in yarn. “Nice choices,” I said. “Will that be all?”

  “I think so.” She reached into the bag that hung from her shoulder and removed her wallet.

  Simon’s hand shot out to stop her. “My treat,” he said.

  “Dad,” she groaned. “I have money. You don’t need to be buying my yarn for me.”

  Yup, she did remind me of myself in that respect, and I smiled. I hated it when my mother did the same thing when we were out shopping together.

  But Simon was adamant. “I know you do, but this is my little ‘welcome to the island’ present for you.”

  She let out an exasperated sigh, leading me to believe this happened a lot, but she smiled, gave her father’s arm a squeeze, and said, “Thank you.”

  I began ringing up the purchases, and a thought hit me. “Oh, Lily, we have a knitting group that meets here every Thursday evening. We’re off till after the holidays, but I’d love for you to join us after the first of the year. We meet from seven till nine and then have coffee and tea and some goodies after. I’m afraid everybody is older than you, but you might like to join us.”

  The smile on her face increased. “Thank you so much. And absolutely, I’d love to come. I’ve found that when it comes to knitting, age is totally irrelevant.”

  “Great,” I said. I liked this girl. She might not have her sight, but she didn’t lack in other truly important qualities.

  “I seem to be the one lagging behind here,” Saxton said that evening at our class. “I have the front of my sweater finished, but I’m just starting the back.”

  “Not to worry,” I assured him. “Knitting isn’t a race. We all knit at different speeds, plus we all have different schedules for our knitting time.”

  I glanced over at Gabe, who was finishing up his final sleeve. For a new knitter, he had developed amazing speed, not to mention the fact that knitting for him seemed to come quite naturally. He seldom asked me a question or was stumped by any of the techniques.

  “I have to say, Gabe, you’ve really caught on fast. If I didn’t know better, I’d think maybe you’re not a beginner at all,” I joked with him.

  I saw a flush creep up his neck.

  “Oh . . . well.” He cleared his throat.

  The other three men stopped knitting and looked at Gabe, waiting for an explanation.

  “Yeah, I noticed that too,” Doyle said. “You really caught on fast, and you’re sure much further along on the sweater than the rest of us.”

  Gabe placed his sweater in his lap and looked across the table at me. “Well . . . maybe I wasn’t as honest as I should have been with you, Josie.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been knitting for a while. Quite a while.”

  My father laughed and shook his head. “So you’ve been holding back on us. For how
long?”

  There was a pause before Gabe said, “Ah . . . since I was four years old.”

  “What?” all of us exclaimed at the same time.

  “Are you serious?” I asked.

  Gabe nodded. “Yeah, I’m afraid so. I’m a fraud.”

  Doyle laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t say that, but why the hell would you lie to us?”

  “Because the sign said beginners’ knitting class. I very much wanted to join the group. You know, get to know some guys, be part of the crowd. So I figured I’d join and just keep a low profile.”

  The room erupted in laughter.

  “Well, you dirty dog, you,” Saxton said, clapping Gabe on the back.

  A grin covered my father’s face. “And did you think you’d never get caught?”

  Gabe laughed. “Yeah, something like that.”

  I shook my head. “But, geez, Gabe, you still could have attended the class. I wouldn’t have booted you out.” But then another thought occurred to me. “Ah, you didn’t want to intimidate the new knitters, did you? Or the instructor, for that matter. Just how proficient are you in knitting?”

  A sheepish grin crossed his face. “Well . . . my mother owned a yarn shop up in Philly. I was teaching kids to knit by the time I was six or so. Mothers would come to the shop with their kids, who would see me sitting there knitting, and before you knew it, both boys and girls were asking how to do it. So before long my mother got the idea of having me teach a kids’ class while the mothers shopped and then joined the women in another room for their own classes.”

  My father shook his head. “Well, I’ll be darned. That’s really great. So you’ve been knitting all your life.”

  Gabe nodded. “Pretty much.”

  “And I’d bet anything you’re certified, aren’t you?” I asked.

  He pursed his lips, raised his eyebrows, and nodded. “Yeah . . . I’m a master knitter with TKGA—The Knitting Guild Association.”

  Again the room filled with laughter.

  “Well, good for you,” my dad said. “So see, once again this proves that knitting is definitely for men.”

  All of us looked up as Chloe walked into the room.

  “Hey, guess what?” Doyle said to her. “Gabe’s come out of the closet.”

  I saw her face blanch as she said, “What? You mean he’s gay?”

  23

  I was staring into my bedroom closet Friday morning when the phone rang.

  “Are you busy?” Grant asked.

  “I’m trying to decide what to pack. How’s the weather up there?”

  “Actually, so far, we’re having a very mild winter. Here it is December nineteenth and we’ll have a high of fifty-two today. We’re down in the thirties and forties overnight though, so definitely a winter coat and some warm sweaters.”

  I nodded. “Oh, good. Both Orli and I will be able to wear some of the knitted items I’ve made this past year. So what’s up?”

  “My brother and his family arrive at my mom’s this weekend, so I’ll be tied up over there and just wanted to double-check on everything for Monday.”

  “Oh, Jeff and Melissa are coming? Will we get to see them?”

  “Yes. They both managed to get a week off from work and they’ll be at my mom’s for Christmas. They’ll be with us for a week and of course, Dirk is on semester break.”

  I adored Grant’s older brother and his wife. They lived in a suburb outside of Manhattan, where they were both attorneys. And Dirk was in his junior year at NYU. Orli would be thrilled to spend some time with her cousin.

  “Great. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “So listen, just in case I don’t get a chance to get back to you before Monday, I wanted to let you know that I’ll meet you and Orli downstairs at the baggage area. Your flight is due in at three.”

  “Yup, I have the app on my cell phone, just in case there are any changes. I can’t wait to see you, Grant, thanks for calling. Now I’d better get back to this packing or I won’t have any luggage arriving at that baggage carrousel.”

  He laughed across the line. “Same here, Josie. I’m looking forward to spending the week with you.”

  I hung up and realized that he hadn’t said with you and Orli, but of course I knew he was thrilled to be spending time with our daughter. I reached for my calf-length, black leather winter coat and placed it on the bed, wondering what, after sixteen years, Grant’s feelings were toward me. Sure, I was the mother of his child and we were very good friends, but I recalled my mother’s hints over the years about my being much more than just a friend to Grant.

  Don’t be silly, I thought, and continued packing.

  Orli and I had just finished lunch when my mother called.

  “Just wanted to remind you that Maggie arrives tomorrow and our Christmas get-together is Sunday at three.”

  “Yup, I haven’t forgotten. Is Jane going to be able to make it?”

  “Yes. She arrives at Mallory’s house tomorrow, and she said she’ll drop by for a drink early in the evening.”

  “Great. Anything I can bring for Sunday?”

  “Not a thing. Delilah helped me get everything prepared yesterday and this morning. So it’ll be a matter of popping things into the oven. Nice and easy.”

  Delilah had helped her cook again? “How are you feeling, Mom?” “Well . . . I’m sure it’s nothing. Nothing at all. But that tummy twinge hasn’t gone away. So . . . I decided to make an appointment with my gynecologist in Gainesville. It’s probably some minor female thing. I have an appointment for Tuesday.”

  “Tuesday? Damn. I won’t be here and I would have gone with you.”

  “Don’t be silly. Besides, Jane and Mags said they’ll both take me, and then we’re going shopping and out for lunch.”

  I couldn’t help wondering if she had purposely made the appointment for when she knew I’d be gone.

  “Okay, but I’ll call you from the Boston area after your appointment. And I’ll see you on Sunday.”

  “Everything all right?” Orli questioned when I hung up.

  “Hmm, I’m not sure. Nana has had some stomach discomfort and she’s seeing the doctor on Tuesday. We’ll know more then.”

  “Gee, maybe it’s just a flu or something. Hope she isn’t sick for the holidays.”

  “Hmm, maybe,” I said, but my nursing instinct notched up a level.

  “It’s me,” I heard Mallory holler as she came through the front door.

  “In the kitchen,” I hollered back.

  “Hey, guys,” she said, walking directly to the coffeemaker, reaching for a mug, and filling it. “All packed, Orli? You must be so excited about your trip.”

  “I just have a few last minute items to toss in my carry-on, but other than that, yeah, I’m finished. Unlike Mom.”

  “Hey, hey. I’m almost finished. I’ve had some interruptions this morning.”

  “Well, since I’m good to go, I’m meeting Laura at the library. Our books are due back. I’ll be home by five.”

  She placed a kiss on my cheek and then Mallory’s.

  Mallory shook her head as Orli walked out the door. “She’s one special kid, you know.”

  I smiled. “I do know. Every single day. So what brings you over here?”

  “Oh, any chance I can borrow your punch bowl? Mine broke a couple months ago and I still haven’t replaced it. I offered to bring the punch for the Garden Club Christmas party on Monday, and you’ll be gone.”

  “Sure,” I said, reaching up into the cabinet and removing the crystal set. Twelve small cups with handles rested inside the bowl. “I’m glad it’s getting used. My mother gave me this years ago, with the hope that I’d entertain as much as she does.”

  Mallory laughed. “Thanks. Oh, before I forget . . . my mother told me on the phone this morning that your mom has an appointment in Gainesville next Tuesday with her doctor.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, my mom called this morning to tell me the same thing. No hint of what might be going on?�
�

  Mallory shook her head. “Nope, none. And I know you’ll be gone next week, but if I hear anything beyond what she tells you, I’ll keep you in the loop.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So you’re finished at the yarn shop, huh? Chloe’s all set to resume work?”

  “Yeah, she’s doing great. I think she’s happy to be back there full time. I also think things might be heating up between her and Gabe.”

  “Really? She invited him to Maude’s for Thanksgiving dinner, didn’t she?”

  “Yeah, and he accepted and it went really well, and since then he’s taken her out to dinner a few times.”

  “That’s great. I’ve met him only a couple times, but he seems like a nice guy.”

  “He really is. I think Chloe likes him a lot, but she’s keeping a little quiet on the subject.”

  “Hmm, just like you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You and Simon.”

  “Mallory, there is no me and Simon. We’ve just had a few friendly dinners together. Actually I’m having Simon and his daughter here tomorrow evening for dinner. Orli has been anxious to meet both of them.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I passed them walking along Second Street the other day when I drove past. I love her dog. I assume he’s her guide dog?”

  “Yeah, that’s Leo, and he’s really great. He’s also invited to dinner. I’m just amazed at how independent she is. Oh, Simon did give me some more info on how she lost her sight.” I proceeded to fill Mallory in on the details.

  “Gosh, that’s so sad, isn’t it? So she wasn’t born without sight. But from what you’ve said, she certainly seems to do very well. Did you find out yet how she’s able to knit? Do they make patterns in Braille?”

  “I have no clue. But she’s going to join our knitting group, so maybe we’ll find out then.”

  Mallory nodded. “God, life sure is strange, isn’t it? I mean, really, we just never know from one day to the next what might happen and how our lives can so easily be turned upside down.”