Page 116 of The Shell Collector
But it wasn’t the driver. It was Tug. “Look what the cat dragged in, Maeve.”
Maeve turned from where she stood at the deck’s railing. “I thought we said our goodbyes.”
“You said I could pack you some stuff for the trip.”
“You’re right, I did. Thank you.” Maeve gave him an obvious look up and down that made Amanda laugh. “I don’t see anything. What’d you bring me? A jelly bean?”
He lifted his empty hands. “Ha! No. It’s downstairs. I put everything in two small coolers. One for hot stuff, and one for cold. Figured I’d load it in the limo for you.”
“A limousine. Can you believe it? I’ve never ridden in a limo before,” Maeve said. “Not even on prom or when we buried Mom and Daddy. They just had a Lincoln Town Car for the family, and that was expensive enough.”
“We’ll be traveling in style.” Amanda struck a playful pose, one she thought would give her that socialite appearance, flinging an imaginary scarf over her shoulder.
A double honk came from outside.
“I bet that’s him this time.” Amanda left Tug and Maeve and went to the front porch to check.
“Holy cow!” Amanda shouted. The limousine looked like it stretched clear across the driveway. She waved to the driver. He stepped out of the car, wearing a blue suit and a hat. “We’ll be right down.”
He waved, then got back in the car.
“Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. Wait until you see our ride!” Amanda called Maeve and Tug over. “Come on. You have to see it. And, Maeve, he’s even wearing a hat!”
Maeve stepped onto the porch. “What in the world was Judy thinking?”
“I don’t know, but you are in for a treat,” Tug said. “You deserve it. Enjoy every moment of it.”
“Oh, Tug. Goodbye, my dear, dear friend.”
Amanda watched Tug hug Maeve gently, as if he thought she might break, and then he kissed her on the neck. Tug, having known Maeve his whole life, would surely feel an enormous loss when she was gone. Amanda’s heart ached for him. Heaviness weighted her own heart, and she hadn’t even known Maeve that long.
Amanda ran down to her car and grabbed her bag while the driver went upstairs to get Maeve’s things. When she looked up, she saw the driver carrying two small suitcases, and Tug was escorting Maeve down the stairs.
How does someone reduce a whole lifetime of belongings and memories down to two suitcases?
She watched Maeve stop and turn back, taking a last look at her home of so many years.
I still can’t believe you’ve entrusted me with your home. I promise I will take care of your priceless treasures and love this place, this town, and its people as much as you have.
“Are you ready?” Amanda asked.
Maeve turned and kissed Tug. “NowI’m ready.” She ducked her head and inched her way inside. “My. Would you look at this?” Her head swiveled, seeming to take in the rows of LED lighting, the beautiful accents, and the fine-crystal glasses next to the ice bucket.
“Let’s do this.” Amanda slid into the back of the limo. “Oh wow. The leather is like butter, Maeve. We are really in for a treat.”
Blue bottles of water lined the shelf, almost too pretty to drink. Amanda opened one and poured them each a glass. Then she discovered the small refrigerated section with the fruit garnish. She put a slice of lemon and a cherry in each of their glasses. She handed a drink to Maeve, then raised hers.
“To road trips, and forever friends.” Amanda tapped her glass to Maeve’s.
“And adventures.” Maeve took a sip, then set it in the indention on the console.
Tug carried two coolers from his truck and put them in the back of the limo. “Wooo! This is fancy, girls.” He shook his head. “Don’t worry about bringing the coolers back. I have a million of them. You just enjoy all this or give it away. Have agreat time.”
“Thank you, Tug.” Amanda noted the sadness in Tug’s eyes as he stepped away from the car and shut the door.
Maeve had tears in her eyes. “He’s a good man.”
The driver settled behind the wheel and lowered the privacy glass. “Ladies, we’re in for about a five-hour ride down to Charleston. We’ve got beautiful weather, so you sit back and relax.”
