Page 58 of Grounded
“With knowing Camille’s parents so well, it’s easy to think we’ll be like them. I like how they treat each other after almost forty years of marriage.”
“We can’t always be judged by our parents, good or bad,” Annie said.
“True. And that’s why it’s important for me to have her down here before we take the next step. I want to make sure I’m seeing who she is and not who I think.” He looked at her and grinned.
“Perspective. Maybe that’s what has changed with me. I don’t know if it’s being out of the city or having more time on my hands, but I see things differently.”
“Maybe you should stay,” he said, turning back to her and studying her face.
“Stay here? Permanently?” Annie laughed. “I don’t know what I would do for a living.”
“You could do lots of things. You’re great with people. You’re smart, kind and responsible. You could do something with your artwork or something in hospitality. Anything.”
“I never thought of it as an option. And I haven’t done anything with art in a long time.” They were quiet for a moment, both watching as a sliver of cloud passed in front of the moon. Then she said, “It might be like one of those glass jars with the pretty scenery on the inside. You shake it up, and with the snow flying around, it’s magical. But when all the stuff settles down, it’s not that pretty. I’m in the magical place right now, but when things settle down and go back to normal, I’m afraid the magic will wear off.”
“Maybe so, but the magic is still there. You just have to look harder for it. And sometimes it takes shaking things up.”
Annie laughed. “Whatever it is, it came at just the right time, thanks partly to you,” she said, and then reached over and touched him on the arm. When she did, it was as if a spark of electricity passed from his body to hers. Annie looked at Jake, startled by the sensation, to see if he felt it too.
Without looking at her, he said, “Feels like an electrical storm might be coming.”
Annie was amazed at how creative she felt. She woke up the next day wanting to sketch everything in sight. Even sitting up in bed that morning, she had pulled her sketch pad on top of the covers and drawn the outside view from her bed with the old maple tree framed by her bedroom window. She hadn’t felt like this in years, since she first moved to New York and everything was so new and exciting.
After making breakfast for her grandmother and herself, and making sure Beulah was comfortable, she packed a small knapsack with her art supplies, her camera and phone, and some water. The stone house beckoned, and the walk out there would be a good opportunity for time alone in nature for prayer.
A storm had blown through in the night and the grass was wet, but she didn’t mind. After years of being so protected from nature, having her feet get wet from the rain was actually welcome. It made her feel alive.
Annie settled against a tree and studied the house from many yards away.What a shame to be surrounded by all this beauty and not allow it in the house. It seems a writer would take inspiration from nature, not keep it out.
“She’s not a writer,” Annie voiced the thought aloud. But why lie? And that was where she was stuck. They had no basis to enter the house, she hadn’t broken any laws and there was no evidence of wrongdoing, but in her gut, she knew something wasn’t right with Stella’s story.
Forcing her mind from the mystery inside the house to the outside, Annie began to sketch, slowly at first and then with more purpose until she fell into a rhythm. Three times she flipped the page over and began again, but the last time felt right. With birds calling to one another among the rustling leaves in the trees above and next to the trickling water beside her, the outline of the old stone house slowly took shape.
It would be the perfect present for her grandmother before she left for New York. She would work on the sketch until it was right. With her digital camera, she took two pictures, one with her zoom and one without, so she could continue working back at the farmhouse.
Annie gathered her things into the knapsack, a good feeling of accomplishment washing over her. As she stuffed the camera in, she remembered the cord and software to print pictures were still in New York. She would ask Janice to send it to her along with some other items she needed.
Her cell phone rang just as she dropped it into the sack and she quickly fished it out, thinking it might be her grandmother.
“Annie? It’s Vichy.”
“Bob, what’s up?” Annie was surprised to hear from her boss and hoped it was not more bad news.
“I worked a miracle and got you back in a week,” he spit out the words.
“A week!” Annie leaned hard against a tree.
“Monday, nine a.m. You have to go through Patriot’s orientation, like any other new employee, but after training, you’ll be in the skies again.”
Annie felt her chest tighten as if she were wrapped in a rubber band from the waist up.
“Bob, I can’t start that soon. My grandmother just had surgery. She needs me here.” Annie braced during the brief silence and waited for the eruption.
“Don’t give me that! You don’t know how hard I had to fight for you! How am I going to say that you want the job, but want to pick when you start? Do you know how many girls are standing in line behind you?”
Annie could almost feel the spray of saliva come through the phone.
“Bob, I appreciate it. You know I do. But you told me it would be three months and maybe longer. I’ve committed to helping my grandmother for another few weeks until she can take care of herself again. Can’t you please get me an extension? I’ll take whatever flights are available. Please give me more time.”
