Almost four years had passed, since Thanksgiving of November, 2008. It was now 2012, June. Nicolas had graduated high school. Daniel had graduated from Berkeley School of Music in Boston, and Bethany had graduated from Keene State. Robert had graduated from N.H.U. in Durham, New Hampshire, one year ago, also with a degree in music, but classical piano, unlike Daniel who majored in guitar, mainly jazz. Still, they had on occasions, played music together, for fun.
Lizzy was still with Jim, and they had sold the bar and bought her house, which they had renovated and turned into a bed and breakfast. The house was amazingly beautiful now, repainted, and still had room for the family, because the downstairs had been expanded, so that guests stayed downstairs, and family, upstairs. It was also well insulated now. They did not have guests often, but they were advertising on Craig's List, and local papers, as well. They also had a website, called Lizzy'sbedandbreakfast50.com. The fifty was because she was fifty now, which no one had to know.
Jim had put in an organic garden, and they helped with the local food drive. Lizzy had also been elected to the Vershire Center Town Council, which they had sent a copy of the newspaper clipping about, to Jack and Tara, so they could see her name in black and white, as well as her picture with other members. They were very proud of Elizabeth White, their only child. Lizzy was also volunteering once a week, at a women's shelter in Burlington, just answering the phone, and helping the women and children, who were staying there at any one time.
Lizzy and Jim, as well as Jack and Tara, had gone to Daniel's graduation, and Lizzy and Jim had attended Bethany's as well as Nick's, for which Grandma and Grandpa Jack and Tara had also come, and had been the first guests at Lizzy and Jim's bed and breakfast for the duration. The house smelled of gourmet coffee and fresh baked muffins and danish, as well as elaborate omelettes and their famous blueberry pancakes.
The 'Water Well' was sold, but still called the 'Water Well', and Nicolas was working in food prep there, his first job. He had learned to drive, got his license, no longer having seizures, and Jim had given him the Honda Accord, as well as having bought Lizzy an Acura sedan. Her truck was still on the property, but she never drove it anymore.
When they went on trips, they took Jim's newer truck, which had a double cab and a lot of room, and Rusty could ride in back on a warm day.
Lizzy and Jill would meet for coffee, yoga or dinner on a weekly basis, sometimes all three. They had become closer.
Norine and her sister, Becky, were still living in the old farm house, and Lizzy had convinced Norine to get out of, yet another abusive relationship, with Davis, who was a total abuser, and then she had found someone kind and loving. Without Lizzy to stand by her, she said she could not have gotten away from another abusive partner. It had taken her answering the door with a bruised face, on more than one occasion, for Lizzy to catch on, and intervene, even though Norine had been afraid, and Lizzy had thought she would never be able to get a restraining order, but she gained the courage, and she did. It had not been easy, but Lizzy had been there for her, the entire time.
Today was an auspicious one. Daniel and Bethany were coming to stay for the weekend. They were married now, and living in Boston. He was teaching guitar and playing in a rock band. She was teaching art, in primary school, and had been accepted into a cooperative gallery in Boston.
She had also had two shows of her work already, in Cambridge.
As Bethany drove up in their red Toyota, with Daniel in the front passenger seat, Lizzy
came out to greet them. She was wearing a red, floral print sundress, and her hair was down, and it hung down her back in soft curls, with just a simple, red ribbon holding the front, softly back, fine strands loosely falling around her face. She looked beautiful and happy, as never before. The tired weariness had gone from her, like a lost, but unwanted friend.
Rusty was very excited about their homecoming. He was literally grinning, as he ran and panted, from one person to another, but happy most of all, to see Daniel, who hugged his neck, and patted his head.
Picnic tables had been set up, and Jim was firing up the grill to make ribs, burgers, hot dogs, New England fresh corn, and chicken legs and wings. Everyone would be coming, bringing coleslaw, salad, deserts, drinks, fried chicken, and lots of ice.
When Daniel got out of the car with dark glasses on, Lizzy hugged him, and then Bethany, who was three months pregnant, and barely showing, wearing loose blue jeans and a sleeveless, fitted, white sweater, that slightly showed off the fact that she was pregnant. Her light brown hair had grown past her shoulders, and she looked lovely and healthy.
Lizzy realized that Bethany was pregnant, right away, even though she was only beginning to show. "It's wonderful," she observed, enthusiastically and brightly. "You look beautiful," she said to Bethany, embracing her, and kissing her cheek.
Nicolas came out, carrying a tray of drinks, and Jim followed him. "Hey guys," Jim called to them.
"Hey Jim," Daniel shook his hand. "Let me just grab a couple of things from the back."
"Hey Nick," Daniel called to his brother, who had set the drinks on a table, and approached him then. Daniel gave his younger brother a hug.
"Hi," Nick said softly, and smiled at Daniel. He was always happy to see his brother.
"Help Bethany with her things, Jim and Nick." Lizzy then announced, "Bethany is in a family way." Everyone burst out laughing, joyfully. "I hope I didn't ruin it," Lizzy said, almost embarrassed and looking more girlish than ever before, covering her mouth with her hand. "I mean was it a surprise?"
"No, it's fine. We figured you'd figure it out fast, Lizzy. You've always been quick, and you're pretty hard to get anything past." Bethany smiled at her, and squeezed her arm gently.
"C'mon," Lizzy led her by the hand. "Wait til you see the house. It's amazing. Just wait til you see yours and Daniel's room. The whole house had a makeover, since we turned it into a bed and breakfast."
Soon everyone began arriving, Jill and Tom, Robert and Chris, with their parents as well, Christen, Suzanne, Norine, along with her sister, Becky, and all their kids, combined, including her new boyfriend, Shane, who drove them.
Nicolas was elated when curly blond haired Sky showed up, with his forty year old, hippie nouveau parents, Michael and Willow. They brought tons of fresh fruits and vegetables in the form of elaborate salads. Willow's name suited her, because she always wore long, willowy skirts, and her long, honey colored hair flew about in loose curls, like swinging branches of willow trees.
Some of the friends from the old days at the 'Water Well' came. Even Charlie came, with his new girlfriend, Lori. The new owners of the 'Water Well', who had only moved to the area one year ago, Michael and Carrie Jones, also came, bringing two cases of fine wine, one, pinot noir, and the other, chardonay.
Lizzy looked up at the blue sky, the faint white clouds, the green, tall trees, the vast land, and all its beauty, and thought, 'it doesn't get better than this. This is life, beautiful life. I am happy, truly happy. I have everyone I love, and more than I could have ever dreamed of. I have everything any fifty year old woman, mother of two sons, could ever want. I am so fortunate, so lucky. Life is good, wonderful, and worth every hardship along the way, every obstacle, every snare, every tangle.' She wished Adrien were there. They all did.
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Authors Note: Thank you for reading my book. This book was written with my children, Theodore and David, in mind. It is also in honor of veterans and all soldiers, everywhere. It is also in honor of America, a great country and all the young people, here, now, yesterday and tomorrow. And, this novel honors those who love deeply and truly, and try their best throughout everything and anything.
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