Always with you, p.4
Always, With You, page 4
Ariel piloted the SUV north, passing through the Florida panhandle and into the rolling hills and dense forests of Georgia. Along the way, she oooh’d and ahhhh’d over the small towns and charming rural communities that sprung up on either side of the freeway. But Katie still would not be swayed from her sulking. In fact, she barely said a word even on their pit stops, preferring to keep her earbuds in and the music on her phone cranked up so loud that Ariel could hear it, despite the headphones.
They stopped for the night in Savannah, Georgia. After burgers and fries at an all-night diner, they each climbed into separate twin beds in a generic room at a quick-stop hotel just off the freeway feeder road. Ariel was too exhausted to try to coax a conversation out of Katie. And despite her exhaustion, Ariel lay awake even after Katie was softly snoring. She stared at the rotating ceiling fan, her mind whirling. She had been so focused on making this plan work that she hadn't stopped to consider how difficult it might be for her daughter.
“I love you, Katie,” Ariel whispered across the dark of the hotel room.
There was no reply, which Ariel had expected.
Her eyes pricking with tears, Ariel tried to drift off, hoping to dream pleasant dreams of a happy future, despite the turmoil swirling through her wide-awake mind.
***
The next morning, they got an earlier start after donuts and coffee in the hotel lobby. Katie seemed in somewhat better spirits. She sat up front with Ariel instead of in the back of the car, which was a small win.
Ariel could see the anticipation building in Katie's face as they got underway for the day. She could sense that her daughter's mood was starting to lift as they got farther and farther from Miami. Katie wasn’t exactly chatty, but they didn’t ride in awkward silence as they had the day before.
After their first snack stop, Katie turned to Ariel as soon as they exited back to the main concourse toward Virginia.
“Mom, what's the high school in Endless Harbor like? Is it really different from my school in Miami?"
Ariel looked sideways at her daughter. Ah, the real issue comes out. "It's definitely different, honey. Endless Harbor is a small town, so the school is smaller than what you're used to. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. The teachers know the students well, and they're more invested in their success. I thought you wanted to homeschool?"
"Maybe. I’m still thinking about it. But what about the classes? Will they be as good as they were in Miami?"
“Well, if you’re talking about EHHS, there’s a great academic program, and you'll have a lot more opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs now that I’ll be home more. I was on the debate team and the school newspaper when I was in high school there. Maybe you could start that Adventure Quest club you always talked about but—"
“Brittney Tanner made fun of me and threw all my flyers for the club into the boy’s bathroom? Yeah. I bet there’s a Brittney in this school. Every school has a Brittney. There’s no escaping her.”
Ariel didn’t reply right away, waiting.
“Maybe I will homeschool,” Katie said, her lips twisting.
As she drove, Ariel’s thoughts drifted back to her high school days at Endless Harbor High. She remembered the excitement of starting high school, the new faces, and the sense of endless possibility. Her first day had been nerve-wracking, but she had quickly found her place among a group of friends who were as artsy as she was—while Ariel had loved cooking from a young age, her group had been drama kids, band geeks, and friends who drew and painted. Though a small town, the wild coast of Endless Harbor had seemed to inspire many a person. Ariel and her friends had spent countless hours working on projects and studying for exams, and Ariel was grateful to have had them by her side.
But not all her memories of school were positive. She also remembered the constant pressure to fit in, the fear of not being accepted, and the relentless, small-town gossip that seemed to spread like wildfire. She’d been mocked for spending time in her garden instead of at beach get-togethers and parties and for her elaborate lunches. She was taunted when her father had disappeared. She would never forget how it made her feel small and insignificant. It was moments like these that made her dread going to school each day. If it hadn’t been for Charlene being there for her, even after she’d graduated ahead of Ariel, Ariel wasn’t sure she would have stuck it out until her own senior year.
Despite the challenges, Ariel persevered and found solace in her creative outlet—cooking. She spent countless hours in the kitchen of Leeside, pouring her heart and soul into each dish and technique, even before she’d been able to go off to culinary school. It was there that’d she found a sense of peace and a place where she could be herself without fear of judgment.
High school had been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, but it had also shaped her into the person she was today. She had learned the importance of resilience, self-love, and the value of real friendship. And even though she wouldn't want to go back to those days, she was grateful for the memories that had made her who she was.
Ariel tried to choose her words carefully. "People are different everywhere you go. You’ll make friends in no time. And you never know, you might find that you like it there better than Miami."
Katie looked out the window again, a sign that she was slipping away once more. "I hope so, but I'm worried."
Ariel’s heart warmed at the confession—in the teen years, she would take any small win she could get, and Katie admitting to being scared at least showed that Katie still trusted her. Ariel’s chest tightened when she thought of how much was in front of them—she was worried too. She was still getting past the sting of two major life losses, and she didn’t want Katie to feel she had to bear the burden or fallout from either.
"I understand, sweetie. It's normal to feel that way. But you're smart, strong, confident, and kind. You'll make friends and find your place here. I'm here for you, and we'll get through this together.” She reached over and squeezed Katie’s hand.
Katie squeezed back and actually smiled.
"Are you looking forward to seeing the house?" Ariel asked, training her eyes back on the road ahead.
They had reached the border of Virginia, and the landscape had begun to change again. The forests were giving way to rolling hills and winding rivers, and Ariel could start to see the first signs of previous snow.
Katie noticed it too—small islands of white in otherwise cold, muddy stretches of land. But she perked up. “Is that snow?”
“It is,” Ariel said, bemused.
“Awesome! You know, I am, Mom. I think I am looking forward to seeing the house.” Katie was studying the landscape outside with wide, awed eyes.
“To our new adventure together, then,” Ariel said.
“Together,” Katie agreed. Then, with a sheepish look over at her mother, she popped her earbuds in and began fiddling again with her phone. They had made it a couple hours down the road without Katie resorting to her phone, so Ariel chalked that up in the win column as well.
Ariel checked the clock on the SUV—if they drove for about four hours, they could make their stop in Endless Harbor by dinnertime. Just as she was looking back to the road ahead, her phone dinged with a missed call, and her screen said she had a voicemail. She frowned. She’d thought that she’d put her phone on completely silent for the drive.
She said the voice command that would wake the phone up and then asked her message to be played. The voice of the family lawyer—Holcomb—came over the car speakers.
“Hey, Ariel. I just got all the paperwork to your sister for your dad’s old place. I told her about a business proposition that fell into my lap a couple weeks ago. Talk it over when you get to Maine and then please give me a call.”
A business proposition? That could be interesting. She would call him as soon as they arrived in Maine.
As they pressed toward their new home, Ariel felt a sense of warmth, a feeling of closeness, and a renewed glimmer of hope for the mother-daughter bond between herself and Katie. And now, the added excitement of possibility.
CHAPTER SEVEN
As Ariel and Katie entered the last leg of their trip, easing into the northeastern states, the landscape became increasingly rugged and wild. They passed through the towering peaks of the Appalachian Mountains and the dense forests of the Adirondacks. The weather was starting to get colder, and the snow seemed ready to fall from the ominous, gray skies.
As they crossed the border of Maine, the landscape changed again, becoming more rocky and rugged. On both sides of the freeway were dense forests giving glimpses through their trunks at beaches along the rocky coastline, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and pine forests on the other. And as they drove into the quaint town of Endless Harbor, they were surrounded by the sea and the sound of seagulls. It would have all been quite summery, if not for the fact that it had recently snowed.
The road to the new-old house was winding and narrow, and the houses along the way—a collection of millionaires’ mansions tucked by the cliffs—rubbed shoulders (and back yards) with small, quaint, coastal bungalows. The latter were small and colorful, with plenty of lobster shacks and seafood restaurants interspersed to keep anyone happy. The sea air was fresh and invigorating, and the views of the ocean were breathtaking. But Ariel tried her best to not get distracted, carefully navigating the ice-crunchy roadway.
Katie was not paying attention to the charm. When they arrived in Endless Harbor, the first thing that Katie said was, “Mom, it’s cold here.”
It was true—it was bitter cold. It was a stark contrast to the warm and sunny climate she was used to in Miami. The snow was waist-high in drifts along the sides of the road, and the frigid winds would cut through their clothing. Ariel could imagine her fingers and toes going numb in minutes if she were out in the weather, and she cranked up the car heater gratefully. She knew that she would never get used to this kind of cold again. How had she managed it as a kid?
The gravel of the cleared driveway crunched under her SUV tires as Ariel finally pulled up to her father’s old Victorian.
"This is it," Ariel said, looking at the house with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "This is our future."
As they finally turned down the long driveway that led to the house, Ariel could feel her own excitement building. She had a vision for what this house could be, and she was determined to make it a reality, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be.
When they stopped, Ariel looked at the house through the front windshield, and a smile spread across her face. "I remember so many good times at this place," she said. "It's not as bad as Charlie made it out to be—we can make this work!”
Katie looked at the house. Her face scrunched. Ariel knew she was only focusing on the bad. Sure, ice and snow covered the roof and the windows, the paint was peeling, the porch was sagging, and the chimneys looked like they were about to collapse, but you had to look past that to the potential.
"Mom," Katie said, her voice trembling, "on second thought, I don't think I can do this. I want to go back to Miami. I'll be homeschooled there instead of us having to move. That will take care of Brittney and her bots. Please. Please?”
Ariel made sure the car was in park and turned to her daughter. "I know it's tough, Katie. But we're here now, and we have to make the best of it. Let's go inside and see what we can do with it."
As they walked inside the house, even Ariel couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled deep in her chest. The house was cold, damp, and dark, with ice on the windows and water damage everywhere. The floors were creaky, and several of the interior walls were cracked. And with no heating turned on, Katie could see her breath in the air. It was hard to imagine how they would ever turn this place into a home, let alone a B&B. In fact, Ariel was a little uncertain of where they would sleep for the night.
“I guess there was no cleaning service before we got here," Katie mumbled.
Enough was enough. Ariel was tired, Katie was likely tired, but Katie’s attitude was hurting her feelings. Ariel decided to be direct. "Look. I know you're not excited about this move, Katie. I want you to know that I understand. I know this is a big change, and it can be scary. But I promise you, it's going to be okay. You'll make new friends, you'll have a new start, and hopefully, you will have a better school experience. But none of that can happen right now, ten minutes after we arrive. And no, there was no cleaning service who would come up here and tackle this place for anything less than a thousand dollars to start, which is not a wise expenditure when we have our own two—four—hands. "
Ariel broke off, her breath puffing faster into the cold.
Katie's face softened a little, and she turned to her mother. "I know you're trying to do what's best for us, Mom. I’ll try to make the best of it."
Ariel pulled Katie into a hug. "That's all I can ask for, sweetie. I promise you that we'll make this work.”
Ariel and Katie further explored the house, and they were met with a sight that was nothing short of overwhelming. The once-beautiful home was now a shell of its former self, with peeling wallpaper, water-damaged floors, and a musty smell that hung heavy in the air.
Ariel stopped in the middle of the kitchen, which she remembered as being so grand and beautiful—the place she’d discovered so much. Her heart sank as she took in the state of disrepair. The once-beautiful room was now a shadow of its former self. Tears rose at the sight before her.
Ariel walked slowly around the kitchen, taking in each detail. The shelves were dusty, the countertops were chipped, and the cabinets were covered in grime. It was clear that the kitchen had been neglected for years. As she continued to look around, Ariel began to picture what the kitchen looked like in its prime. She imagined the wide, smooth countertops, the gleaming, copper pots and pans hanging from the ceiling, and the beautiful, mosaic tiles adorning the walls. The room had once been the heart of the home, a place where meals were cooked, and memories were made.
The contrast between the past and present was stark, and Ariel was sad for the state of the once-beautiful place. How in the world could she bring it back? It seemed insurmountable.
Katie stopped beside Ariel, wrapping her arms around her mother's shoulders. "It's okay, Mom," she said. "We'll figure it out together. Like you said, we'll make it work."
Ariel felt a wave of relief wash over her as she hugged her daughter back. She had been so afraid of how Katie would react to seeing what Ariel saw, but her daughter's understanding and support was more than she could have hoped for.
"Thank you, Katie," Ariel said, her voice choked with emotion. "Charlie said it was bad, but I wasn’t expecting this. I promise, I'll make it right."
"It's okay, Mom," Katie said, giving her mother a reassuring squeeze. "You tell me not to close off, so don’t you. We're a team. Now, how do we get the heat on?"
As they sat together at the rickety kitchen table that was still in the open dining room, hope and determination welled up inside of Ariel. She pulled out a blueprint of the house that Charlie had sent so that Ariel could start planning.
Katie propped her chin in one hand and looked at Ariel. “You think the boiler’s in the basement?”
“Let’s see, chickdee,” she said and then winced internally. The nickname—chickadee—had been one that Dylan had used with Katie, and it had become second nature for Ariel to pick up the moniker. But the last thing she wanted right now was to be sitting in these dismal circumstances, thinking about Dylan. But it was too late, she guessed.
Ariel's heart ached as she thought about Dylan. He had been her rock for the last three years, and she had foolishly believed that he would be there for her and Katie when they needed him most. But he hadn’t, and he wouldn’t now.
In fact, Ariel had called him to come pick up a few boxes of his stuff that she’d collected as she’d packed to move, but he had never answered. She’d donated them to the local thrift store. The house seemed even more depressing and run-down after her thoughts wandered to Dylan. The furniture was covered with sheets, the floorboards were creaking underfoot, and cobwebs were covering every corner. The wallpaper was yellowed with age, and the paint on the walls was chipped and peeling. The kitchen was outdated for sure, but it seemed like the appliances were from another era—Ariel was sure they had not been replaced since her mother had died. The bedrooms upstairs were moldy, and the mattresses had been exposed to the elements for so long that they were growing all manner of flora. Ariel winced when she remembered Charlene warning her about this very thing. The seasons had taken their toll on the house.
As she looked around the dilapidated dining room, Ariel knew that it would be a long and difficult road to bring the house back to life.
Katie tapped the open blueprint in front of Ariel, bringing her back to the present.
“Mom, the boiler?”
Ariel’s eyes scanned until she found where the main heating unit resided. She grinned and tried to look positive when she stood from the table.
“Got it! How about we get some heat on?”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I know absolutely nothing about boilers,” Ariel said, her breath making clouds in the frigid air of the basement. Katie held a flashlight aloft, the only source of light they had down here since all of the hanging bulbs had long since burned out. Ariel and Katie were huddled together, trying to keep warm as they worked on the boiler. Ariel had been trying to get it to turn on for the past hour, but to no avail. Katie’s phone was nearly out of battery from playing DIY boiler repair videos from online, and she was getting increasingly frustrated. Ariel was starting to lose patience as well.
"This is ridiculous, Mom," Katie said, her teeth chattering. "Why can't we just call a repairman? Or Aunt Charlie? Can’t Uncle Kurt fix this kind of stuff? We could go to a hotel for the night."
"Because it’s too late in the day to call anyone out," Ariel replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "And Aunt Charlie would just say I told you so. It took a lot of convincing for me to get her onboard with the whole bed and breakfast idea. We're going to have to figure this out ourselves."
