11:15 p.m. Sunday, December 31
Pacing in front of the French doors at the cabin, Lina peered outside and scanned the dark tree-line fronting the county road. What’s taking Luke so long? If John ain’t given him my message, he’s gonna be real sorry. She glanced at Silvia’s reflection in the glass pane. The older woman had returned to sit in the leather chair by the stove, despite the fact it no longer provided any warmth.
“What time is it?” Lina asked.
“Watching the clock isn’t helping Warner find Bella any faster,” Sylvia snapped, taking her feet off the small footstool in front of the chair and sitting upright.
“Makes me feel better.” Why’s Mama so snippy? Just wait—she’ll turn ‘round once she sees what I been planning.
“Heavens to Betsy, its eleven-fifteen—and you’re back at the door again.”
Tracing one of the windowpanes with her index finger, Lina stared outside at the collecting winter snow. Suddenly her chest filled with joy and she barely contained herself. “Mama, it’s time to celebrate!”
Sylvia stood up in excitement, “Warner’s back?”
In the distance, Lina saw a pair of headlights reflecting through the tree trunks along Wa-Wilkin Road. She pointed for Sylvia.
-- : --
Driving through the heavy snowfall on Wa-Wilkin Road, Luke listened to the crunch of thick snow under his truck tires. The blue-white blanket of snow smothered the ground at every break in the forest canopy. Seeing the silhouette of the towering hemlock rising in the distance, he felt sick to his stomach. Someone told John that Holly was at my cabin! How can that be—after five miserable years and not a single word from her? Why didn’t she call me? Reaching the drive leading to Lina’s trailer, he slowed. Her temporary home sat dark, like a dead aluminum shell. Lina must be at the cabin like she said. Is she why Holly came back? But that can’t be, not after what Lina tried to do to her own mother. Damn it, what’s going on?
Then his eyes widened. Is this the surprise Lina was talking about? The one she and Chad was putting on for me?
Trying to remain calm and not get his hopes up, he drove onto the narrow drive, pulling around to the rear of Lina’s trailer. Easing forward as far as possible, he hid the Bronco from sight. What’s Holly gonna think when she sees me? Bet it’s a surprise for her too.
His excitement warred with a surge of apprehension. Will she still have that fire for me, like I still got for her? He marveled at his lover’s return so soon after he began setting things right with his family. Maybe there is something to that karma shit. This time around, I ain’t letting nothing get between us. We’re staying together—forever.
Exiting the truck, his grin wavered at the whiff of a rancid odor mixed with the surrounding pine scent. He wrinkled his nose. Is Chad letting that crazy bitch live here ‘til she dies? Before me and Holly take off, I’m gonna help him dump that girl, like the trash she is. Why didn’t Holly, Chad and me just take off on that first New Year’s Eve? What’s Darrington got for us anyways? The place ain’t like it was when logging was good. Now everybody’s a lousy ‘tweener’—trapped ‘tween holding on and moving on… even me. Sighing, he felt the stirring of hope. Not any more… Holly’s back! Lina might be crazy but the girl was right—we’re all getting a second chance.
As he turned the corner of the trailer, the nauseating odor became so thick he could taste it—like that bloated raccoon I skinned alongside the road. He felt an involuntary gag. Damn, Lina ought’a least toss her trash out back. Wrapping the crook of his arm over his nose, he began to retreat when a muffled bark sounded from inside the trailer. He dropped his arm in surprise. Hell, when did she get a dog? Not like her to take on a stray—she can’t even feed herself.
Skirting the front of the trailer, Luke ignored the muted scraping and whining coming from inside. He walked down the short drive and paused at the edge of Wa-Wilkin Road. Peering up the tunnel of trees lining the road, he looked for signs that anyone was approaching. It was quiet and he glanced across the snow-covered gravel to the old hemlock where a frayed rope dangled from the lowest branch—Can’t believe I ever played on that swing. A memory of him pushing Holly in the swing flashed across his mind. Or was it Lina? Seems like someone else’s life, cuz that kid died in the fire—same night I became a man.
Beyond the thin line of vine maples and cedar trees, his cabin sat in silence. Light from its front room made a large elongated triangle on the white expanse off the front porch. Crossing the road, Luke high-stepped through the fresh New Year’s Eve snow.
Holly, I’m here for you….
-- : --
“Mama, he’s here!” Lina shouted, watching Luke creep through the brush near the edge of the property. I knew he’d come for me!
“What? Oh thank the Lord!” Sylvia exclaimed.
Lina fumbled the delicate china teacup onto the side table before yanking the French door open; the cold chill swirled around her. Our second chance is here! I knew Luke still wanted me. Now we’ll be together... forever.
“Stop! Let’s wait inside…,” Sylvia called, taking a half step toward Lina.
Ignoring the older woman, Lina slipped through the door and disappeared into the darkness. Luke!
-- : --
Snow caked the legs of his jeans as Luke hunched over and stole across the yard toward the cabin. I remember sneaking back to the cabin like this when I was a kid—feels like coming home.
He was startled by a figure in silhouette rushing out of the cabin. After dropping into a fighter’s stance, he froze, prepared for a confrontation. Thought Lina said they’d be gone.
When the dark figure skipped off the porch onto the snow-covered grass, the cabin light reflected off a familiar dress with a poppy pattern on white cotton. A flash of silver hung around the woman’s neck. Jesus Christ! It’s true!
“Holly!” Luke cried, allowing his excitement to blind him. Abandoning all caution, he raced through the deep snow. Colliding with the woman, he wrapped his arms around her in a desperate embrace as they collapsed onto the soft snow. Together at last! When he buried his face in the crook of her neck and the woman shouted in glee, a tingle of confusion rose to the surface of his excitement. Why don’t she smell right? She don’t even feel the same.
“I knew you’d come for me!” she exclaimed, tightening her shivering arms around him.
Luke jerked his head back. “Lina?” A moment of stunned silence followed while his face twisted in disgust. Scrambling off her, he climbed to his feet and kicked snow at her. “Where the fuck is Holly?”
“I’s here, baby.” Rising, she brushed the snow off her dress and grasped the sleeve of his jacket. “Come inside and let’s celebrate!”
Tearing his arm away, he glowered at her in disbelief.
“Mama’s here…,” she said. The silver locket glinted around Lina’s throat as she turned toward the cabin to retrace her steps.
What kind a game is she playing? That’s Holly’s dress and locket. Is my love here or not? Marching toward the cabin, he followed Lina inside to find out.