Page 101 of Grown-Up Second Chance

“Yes,” I replied.

“Me too. He’s a good guy.”

My shoulders relaxed. I’d been prepared for a grilling like Kathleen always gave me, and Liz’s gentle acceptance of my answer was a relief.

“I’ve really enjoyed Yellowstone,” she continued. “I know I drove you nuts with the mud pots.”

“They’re stinky,” I said.

“Very stinky.” She laughed. “But fascinating. I’ve been inspired.” She sipped her drink. “More than that. There’s so much power rumbling beneath the surface. It may look like a tranquil place, at least when there aren’t lots of tourists around, but the steam vents and geysers made me aware of how much energy is underground, building up, and waiting for the perfect moment to come together and blast out of there.”

“I hope we’ll be far away when it does.”

She shook her head. “Montana will be obliterated.”

“Aren’t you full of good cheer.”

She laughed again. “I don’t want it to happen, but it will be spectacular when it does.”

“You think Yellowstone will explode again?”

“There’s no doubt. The question is when.” She put her hand on my arm. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m sure we’re perfectly safe. It’s just the way my mind works.”

“Your paintings must be very wild,” I said.

“Some are.”

As tempted as I was to push to see if I could get more information from her about her art, I gave her the same respect she’d given me, and let it be.

A couple who’d been talking to Joe picked up their almost empty bowl from the side table, stopped to chat with Kathleen for a few moments, then waved and started back to their RV. Soon others repeated the sequence as the party began to break up. Liz and I rejoined the main group to say goodbye to those who’d be on their way the next day, including Mason and Naomi.

“We’re headed up to Glacier,” Naomi said, her eyes sparkling as she stood next to her husband. “It’s one of our favorite places, although it’s a shame it’s so crowded now. My dad would take us up there as kids in the 1980s. It was wonderful back then. We’d camp by Lake MacDonald and explore as much as we wanted, like a personal playground.”

“But I still know the best places to fish,” Mason said. “Places most people don’t know about.”

Naomi laughed. “I’m definitely a fishing widow. But I’ve recently taken up watercolor painting, as you know.” She gestured to Liz. “Glacier is full of colors and shapes.”

“Yes,” Liz said. “I spend time there as much as I can. Even in winter, I’ll go up for inspiration. It’s amazing how many different colors can be found in snow.”

“Brr. Too cold for me,” Naomi said. “I turn into a homebody in winter. Thick soups and round loaves of bread.”

“I’m coming to your house next winter,” I kidded.

“You should,” Naomi said. “And bring Joe. We’d love to see you. Mason, give her our contact information.”

“Yes, dear.” Mason and I exchanged phone numbers.

“Well, we need to be going,” Naomi said. “Still lots to do so we can get an early start.”

Once the last people left, the grill man dragging his grill behind him, we cleaned up. Joe was still there to lend a hand. Once the bulk of it was done, Kathleen turned to me. “Now get out of here. We’ve got this. I’m sure there’s things to be said between you.”

“I …”

“Scat.” Kathleen made shooing motions.

“Kathleen wants us to leave,” I told Joe.

“Her wish is my command,” he said. He walked over to my sisters and hugged them both before returning to me.

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