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Authors: Lisa Wingate
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tracks. Watch me run. “Yes, I am. I’m sure.”
RC pulls a cell phone from her pocket, and I think she’s going to help me book a ticket. Instead, she says, “Let me text Johnny and make sure I’m right about the airport. It might be that, to go someplace international, you’d be better off to hop over to Raleigh. If you’re gonna end up there anyway, you might as well just drive that direction and catch a plane there.”
I stare out at the sea and take in huge drafts of cool salt air and watch the waves curl as RC hunts and pecks on the old-fashioned flip phone, apologizing all the while because she’s a slow thumb typist. Messages go back and forth, but when it’s said and done, she tells me, “Johnny’s checking on it. He oughta have it figured out by the time we get back to the house. He’s good with that kind of thing.”
On the way home, it hits me that my decision to go means our time with RC will be ending. Lily will understand, but she’ll miss being here with our new sister. “We really have to get together again soon, after I’m home.”
“Oh, we will,” RC promises confidently, but I notice that I keep having to slow my pace to match hers. Maybe she’s sad about our visit ending too. “Soon.” She pauses to pick up a tiny clamshell, its two halves still joined at the base. “Angel wings.”
The iridescent interiors reflect the morning sun in miniature rainbow curls. “Amazing it made it here in one piece.”
“I’ve never had sisters before.” RC echoes my earlier thoughts and tips the shell into my palm. “I never had anything to do with my family, other than being in contact with Robby a little. My Johnny didn’t have any family to speak of either. I did try to find Mama for a while after I was grown, but no luck. Johnny and me have made our tribe out of friends wherever we’ve lived. But it’s nice to find some leaves on the family tree after all. Kinda fits with an old nut like me.”
We laugh together, and RC shoulder-bumps me, her version of a hug. She’s not the gushy type. The rest of the walk, we stroll in silence, zigzagging away from the chilly waves, each lost in our own thoughts of life and the sea.
When we get back to the cabin, Johnny is moving around the kitchen with his walker, making oatmeal. “Mornin’, pretty lady,” he greets RC cheerfully, his voice less affected by tremors than usual. His condition changes day by day. “That goes for the both of ya.”
RC sidles into the tiny kitchen and kisses him tenderly on the cheek, cupping his face with one hand and holding it to hers. “I told you he was a charmer,” she says to me. “If you can find one as good as my Johnny, you’d better grab him quick, while you can.”
A private look passes between RC and Johnny. “You check on the airport for Jen?” she asks.
Johnny’s mouth purses contemplatively. “Yup, I did. It’d be Norfolk. And lil’ sister’s already in there gettin’ showered and packed and ready to go.” He thumbs toward the bedroom where Lily was sleeping peacefully when I left. The door is open, but next to it, the bathroom door is closed.
I’m relieved that Johnny has already told Lily about my plans, and she’s not protesting a plane ride back to Greenville. I was afraid she’d dig in her heels and insist that she should drive the Jaguar to Cullowhee while I flew to Paris.
But she comes out of the bathroom smiling, with her hair in a towel. “All I’ve gotta do is throw stuff in my duffel bag . . . well, and get my hair dry, of course.” She’s probably noticed that I’ve been keeping my things neatly stacked in my carry-on bag, as if part of me knew all along that I’d eventually muscle up my courage.
“Good. It won’t take me long either. I’ll get on the computer and book flights in a minute.”
“I think Johnny was lookin’ up some for you already.” Lily glances toward the kitchen.
“You got a couple options late in the day,” Johnny confirms.
RC pulls a cell phone from her pocket, and I think she’s going to help me book a ticket. Instead, she says, “Let me text Johnny and make sure I’m right about the airport. It might be that, to go someplace international, you’d be better off to hop over to Raleigh. If you’re gonna end up there anyway, you might as well just drive that direction and catch a plane there.”
I stare out at the sea and take in huge drafts of cool salt air and watch the waves curl as RC hunts and pecks on the old-fashioned flip phone, apologizing all the while because she’s a slow thumb typist. Messages go back and forth, but when it’s said and done, she tells me, “Johnny’s checking on it. He oughta have it figured out by the time we get back to the house. He’s good with that kind of thing.”
On the way home, it hits me that my decision to go means our time with RC will be ending. Lily will understand, but she’ll miss being here with our new sister. “We really have to get together again soon, after I’m home.”
“Oh, we will,” RC promises confidently, but I notice that I keep having to slow my pace to match hers. Maybe she’s sad about our visit ending too. “Soon.” She pauses to pick up a tiny clamshell, its two halves still joined at the base. “Angel wings.”
The iridescent interiors reflect the morning sun in miniature rainbow curls. “Amazing it made it here in one piece.”
“I’ve never had sisters before.” RC echoes my earlier thoughts and tips the shell into my palm. “I never had anything to do with my family, other than being in contact with Robby a little. My Johnny didn’t have any family to speak of either. I did try to find Mama for a while after I was grown, but no luck. Johnny and me have made our tribe out of friends wherever we’ve lived. But it’s nice to find some leaves on the family tree after all. Kinda fits with an old nut like me.”
We laugh together, and RC shoulder-bumps me, her version of a hug. She’s not the gushy type. The rest of the walk, we stroll in silence, zigzagging away from the chilly waves, each lost in our own thoughts of life and the sea.
When we get back to the cabin, Johnny is moving around the kitchen with his walker, making oatmeal. “Mornin’, pretty lady,” he greets RC cheerfully, his voice less affected by tremors than usual. His condition changes day by day. “That goes for the both of ya.”
RC sidles into the tiny kitchen and kisses him tenderly on the cheek, cupping his face with one hand and holding it to hers. “I told you he was a charmer,” she says to me. “If you can find one as good as my Johnny, you’d better grab him quick, while you can.”
A private look passes between RC and Johnny. “You check on the airport for Jen?” she asks.
Johnny’s mouth purses contemplatively. “Yup, I did. It’d be Norfolk. And lil’ sister’s already in there gettin’ showered and packed and ready to go.” He thumbs toward the bedroom where Lily was sleeping peacefully when I left. The door is open, but next to it, the bathroom door is closed.
I’m relieved that Johnny has already told Lily about my plans, and she’s not protesting a plane ride back to Greenville. I was afraid she’d dig in her heels and insist that she should drive the Jaguar to Cullowhee while I flew to Paris.
But she comes out of the bathroom smiling, with her hair in a towel. “All I’ve gotta do is throw stuff in my duffel bag . . . well, and get my hair dry, of course.” She’s probably noticed that I’ve been keeping my things neatly stacked in my carry-on bag, as if part of me knew all along that I’d eventually muscle up my courage.
“Good. It won’t take me long either. I’ll get on the computer and book flights in a minute.”
“I think Johnny was lookin’ up some for you already.” Lily glances toward the kitchen.
“You got a couple options late in the day,” Johnny confirms.
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