The energy downtown felt palpable. More honking from vehicles, more cries from children, more groans from overwrought parents. Even during the day, lights sparkled from the sequoias at the center of town. Michael crossed the street, dodging an old red truck, the bed filled with statues brought out to install in the park. I hope they found the baby Jesus this time.
He stopped at the foot of the oldest sequoia, admiring the thick trunk and stately appearance, especially when compared to last year. After the fire at Lola’s, the Lily Rock tree conservation board had taken over the care of the small grove.
They hired an arborist. She instructed the council on how to bring the trees back from near death. Then with plans for the future to make a park, the Old Rockers constructed one oversized wooden table with two benches for people to sit and admire the progress. On top of the table, a plaque had been installed to commemorate Lola’s and Old Man Maguire. Those benches would have to do until the spring when construction for pathways and more benches would begin again.
Michael stood holding his hand against the back of his neck as he looked up to admire the highest sequoia branches. Dusted with snow, reaching toward the blue sky, they exuded a sense of calm. He inhaled the crisp air. I just run out of words to describe this place, how it feels like a cathedral to me. Aware of a surge of optimism, he rubbed the toe of his boot in the snow. I can do this. Just keep moving.
Then he shrugged. It's no wonder people don't believe me when I try to explain.
Take Lily Rock, for example. I can't describe her to people who don't live here. I end up sounding like a complete fool. Lily Rock is too small to be called a mountain but too big to be an ordinary rock. What do I say? That there's an entire town named after an oversized boulder with presence?
One time he made the mistake of trying to explain to his friend in Chicago, why he stayed in Lily Rock. But his friend just scoffed at him. "Stop with the nature talks, Bellemare. I get it. Once you've dated every woman in the town and the airy-fairy vibe wears off, you'll be back. Right here at the Chicago office designing post-modern buildings with lots of metal and glass."
Michael's gaze drifted across the open space. As he came closer to the bench, he heard a familiar voice. Sage McCloud. As the acting principal of the Lily Rock Music Academy, Sage often counseled the young people in her care. Sitting across the table, two teens looked bored. The boy's leg bounced impatiently under the table. The girl twirled a clump of hair into a corkscrew with one finger.
Sage looked up and caught Michael's eye. A quick dip of her chin indicated she wouldn't mind being interrupted. Michael walked closer. "Hey," he said. He watched both teens as their eyes lifted to check him out.
"Hey," the girl said dryly.
The boy's eyes met his. He didn't speak.
"This is Mr. Bellemare," Sage began the introduction. She nodded to the girl. "And this is my student Avery Denning, and my other student Logan Tippett."
Most of the boarding students had already left for holiday break. "Heading back home pretty soon?" he casually asked.
"Not me," Logan muttered.
"Me neither," Avery chimed in.
"Their parents have demanding jobs, both in Hollywood. They're on location, so they get to stay with me over the holidays."
"Whatever," muttered Avery.
“Their choice,” added Logan.
If not for the disparity of appearance, Michael might have taken them for siblings or at the very least boyfriend and girlfriend. They spoke in an oddly synchronized way, an underlying sense of agreement, especially when it came to their feelings.
"Why don't you sit down," Sage suggested. "In fact you may be able to help me out. Are there any projects one of these capable young people could help you with for the next two weeks? It would be good to keep them busy." She didn't say “and out of trouble,” but the implication didn't escape him.
Michael gave Sage a dart-eye. Under the bus, right in front of the teens. I don't want any helpers. It's hard enough for me to keep my emotions in check this time of year. I don't need two volatile, sad, and hostile teens on top of everything else. And then because he nearly forgot: Don't bite the hook.
His expression must have clued Sage in because she quickly retracted her offer. "I have other ideas for these two…probably more suitable," she added. "I'm going to send them up to Betty King. She was looking for people to help her with the shop, especially next week."
Michael instantly felt better. "I can walk them up to Betty's right now," he offered. "I wanted to stop in to talk to Meadow anyway. She's spending all of her time at Lady of the Rock since it's close to Christmas."
"Meadow McCloud is also the town librarian," Sage explained to the teens.
Logan spoke up. "What kind of shop does this Betty King run?"
Sage smiled. "You will love the shop. It's called Old Toy Trains. You can imagine the business is especially heavy this time of year."
At that moment a loud electronic crackle came from the direction of The Fort, followed by a loud voice saying, "All aboard!" Then the piercing sound of a train whistle.
Avery put her fingers in her ears. "That's really loud," she hollered.
Sage did her best to keep a straight face. Michael shoved his tongue in his cheek. Logan's mouth hung open. "I like trains. I'd like to find out where that place is."
"I like trains," Avery mocked him. "You would. You're such a nerd."
Michael stood. "Why don't I take these two up to Betty King’s?" He turned to the teens. "She's responsible for that loudspeaker conductor recording. It will run every hour the week before Christmas."
"Even at night?" Avery asked.
"It stops at ten o'clock. The town council insisted."
"Why is she playing it now? It's not even the week before Christmas," Logan questioned.
"Betty's getting ready for next week. She's probably giving the conductor tape a test run," Michael explained. Then he turned back to Sage.
"I'll tell Betty about these two potential employees and that they come with your recommendation. Then you can go back to the academy."
Sage's face flooded with relief. "Would you do that? Thank you so much, I can’t tell you how helpful that is. I have a mountain of paperwork to look over before I take off for the winter break. And Mom wants me to help her bake the Christmas cookies for the open house boardwalk event next week. And I have to exercise the horses at Paws and Pines…"
Michael felt himself tear up. Despite the rush of words about her to-do list, Sage's gratitude took him completely by surprise. Look at me and my teeny tiny feelings. Crybaby. He inhaled, casting his eyes to the side to get control. Sage is completely overwhelmed. Why didn't I help her out earlier? He turned to Logan and Avery.
"Come on, you two. We'll head up to The Fort. I'll introduce you to Betty. You may even get to see my favorite Lily Rock citizen."
Logan stood first. "Yah, who's that?"
"A labradoodle named Maguire. He's been getting into trouble lately. I'll explain on the way."
Avery stood. Without a backward glance or a thank you for Sage, she shoved her hands in her jacket pockets. "Whatever," she mumbled.