Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [106]
Sarah shooed Michal down the hall toward the guest bedroom in her roomy ranch home, passing a collection of family pictures in the hallway. Michal caught glimpses of her grandparents, their faces serious, almost grim. Her aunts and uncles, with their many children, and several of Michal and her brothers and sister—Paul, Peter, and Becky.
The bedroom and adjoining bath were like another welcoming hug for Michal. Their deep brown and cream tones soothed her spirit. Fluffy balloon shades, a desk with fabric skirt, and a window seat filled with pillows made the room inviting and warm. It was as though Michal’s every need had been anticipated and provided for: bubble bath for the tub, terry robe and slippers waiting for her in the closet.
“Aunt Sarah, this is all so …” Michal gestured toward the room, her arm moving in a wide arc, “… so perfect.”
“You have everything you need?”
“Almost—except for one thing.” Sarah gave her a puzzled look as Michal reached out to give her aunt a good-night hug. “Now I have everything.”
“Sleep as late as you like. No schedule tomorrow. Not a thing on the agenda—except rest. Eat a good bit. And plenty of girl talk.” Sarah called out over her shoulder, “Don’t be surprised if Mr. Grits joins you. He’s claimed that bed as his lately and might be distressed that you’re invadin’ his boudoir. Night.”
Michal called out, “Night, Aunt Sarah. Love you.”
In response, Sarah blew a kiss.
When Michal walked over to the bed she discovered Mr. Grits was indeed curled up on one of the pillows. “Well, as long as there are two pillows, I guess I can share one with you.” He raised his head to peer at her and then meowed, arched his back in a pronounced stretch, and jumped off the bed. Michal had to giggle as she watched him prance down the hall—with great drama and dignity—making it clear he’d been insulted.
Michal didn’t wake until the sun shone so brightly through the eyelet curtains that it was nearly like a spotlight. She blinked, taking a moment to remember where she was, and inhaled the delicious scent of bacon and biscuits. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she slipped into the terry robe and padded down the hall.
“Well, good mornin’. Did you sleep well?” Sarah stood at the stove, tending the aromatic bacon.
“I don’t remember a thing after my head hit the pillow. That smells amazing.”
Michal opened the refrigerator, anticipating her aunt’s next words. “Help yourself to some fresh-squeezed orange juice. Eggs sunny-side up?”
Michal nodded. “Please. Did I smell biscuits, too?”
“Check the basket on the table. No decent southern cook would ever serve breakfast without grits, of course. Not that I don’t know you eat a bite only to humor me.”
“Can’t I get away with anything with you?”
Sarah winked at her. “Prob’ly not much. Hand me four eggs from the fridge, will you?”
When they’d both had their fill and Sarah was enjoying another cup of tea, she suggested, “It’s supposed to be a beautiful day. How ’bout we go to the beach? I thought we’d pack a picnic lunch. Take a couple good books. Be lazy, irresponsible beach bums. Sound good?”
“Heavenly,” Michal replied.
They packed towels, sunscreen, a huge umbrella, chairs, and a cooler stuffed with delicious food. The final two things Sarah lifted to put into the trunk brought looks of surprise and excitement from Michal. “Boogie boards?”
Sarah shrugged, acting as though she’d never seen the thick Styrofoam boards before. “How’d these get in my garage? Not sure just what they are, but we’ll take ’em along.”
“Have you ever ridden one?”
“Me? Dignified as I am?”
“You have. I was going ask if we could get one. And here you’ve already got two.” They climbed into the car, Michal bouncing around like a child on Christmas Eve. “Ever since we watched those kids the last time, well … I’ve just been dying to try it.”
“You seriously think I’d let you have all the fun? Not get myself one too?”
Michal shook her head, laughing. “I should’ve known, shouldn’t I?”
As they drove to the causeway the traffic was fairly heavy. Tourists