October 1, 2018
Galveston, Texas
Marnie woke early the next day. She had a lot of things to get done. She needed to check into her house and make sure it was clean enough to unload. To accommodate her mild OCD, she had paid for an extra cleaning service. Not that it would stay clean once she had introduced the dogs to the beach. It was her need for a fresh start.
Stretching out in bed, she organized her plan for the day. She would start with a run with the dogs on the beach. Then shower, load the pups and go to her rental. It shouldn’t take her too long to unpack.
She thought she’d call Nancy to meet her for lunch. It would be good to see her again. Nancy filled the part of Marnie that missed her own mom terribly. She made herself pop out of bed and get dressed in her black running gear. She was done moping around.
The dogs were thrilled to see the leashes in Marnie’s hand. Luckily, from the guest room of Louise’s house, Marnie could sneak out the back and not disturb Louise’s breakfast-get-to-school-and-work routine. She could hear the sounds coming from the kitchen as Louise got ready for the morning rush.
Marnie headed out the back, down a quiet alleyway and out to the beach to look at the sunrise. A few people were running or walking on the beach. Several dogs were off leash, which thrilled both Marnie and her pups. Soon, they were running at their own breakneck pace—back and forth from her to the water.
After her run and shower, Marnie peeked her head into the chaos of the kitchen. The kids ran over and gave her hugs before Didier urged them to get in the car. Marnie said she would see them that evening.
Marnie looked at Louise, who looked as if she had already put in half a day’s work.
“I remember those days and I only had one,” Marnie said. “I loved raising Ellie Jean, but it isn’t something I’m tempted to repeat. It was so non-stop. I think about the play Hamilton and the description of him being ‘non-stop.’ That song is really a mother’s anthem.” She took a breath. “After some coffee, I’m going to head over and get settled. Then, I thought I’d call Nancy and meet her for lunch.”
“I envy you time with my mom. She will be thrilled. I mean to make time for the two of us but there never seems to be any time to make.”
“When the kids are older,” Marnie said, “you’ll have more time.”
“Let’s hope. Lately, it seems the future is not guaranteed.”
Marnie pulled up to her “new home.” It was a small mint green beach house with darker sea green shutters and white trim. It perched on a quiet block between the beach and the town and featured a large front porch. She was looking forward to sitting on it—if she ever sat.
The pups seemed thrilled. They ran in and out, smelling everything.
Letting them investigate on their own, Marnie methodically unloaded her car. She felt like a turtle, able to move her home around whenever she needed. She marveled that she still had the knack after twenty years.
Shortly after organizing her bungalow and getting the dogs comfortable, Marnie went looking for a coffee shop. While enjoying her latte, she noticed a bulletin board with people offering a variety of services—including one for pet sitting.
When the proprietor saw her take one of the slips for pet sitting, she said, “That’s my cousin. I’ll vouch for her.”
Marnie arranged to meet the sitter soon and was glad to have that housekeeping chore completed. She had time to clean up again before meeting with Nancy. They emailed frequently and talked some on the phone, but Marnie could count on one hand the number of times that the two of them got together without children or husbands.
Not a problem I have anymore, I guess.
“Oh, Nancy,” Marnie exclaimed as she rushed to join her at the corner table. “It’s so good to see you in person! I love meeting up at the Mariposa Café. Good choice!”
As they exchanged hugs, Marnie thought that Nancy looked great. Working for thirty years as an educator and principal in the Texas public education system should have drained her, but she looked as if she had enough energy to work another thirty.
As usual, Nancy had on the perfect outfit. Today she was dressed in casual island chic, neat and pressed. White pants that were still white. Island tropic shirt. Marnie was glad that she had brightened her own black outfit with a white shirt.
“Oh Marnie, it’s so great to see you. The last time was so sad. I wanted Louise to bring you home with her, but she said you wouldn’t come.”
Marnie took a deep breath. “That time’s a memory surrounded by fog. I do remember you coming. I needed to settle too many things in May to leave home. And I’ve been functioning at a snail’s pace, so it’s taken me a whole five months.”
The waitress came by and took their orders.
“How are you feeling now?” Nancy asked.
“Better. When my parents died, I never took the time to grieve,” Marnie said.
Nancy nodded in understanding. “Our traditions surrounding mourning are based on the need to step back from our lives,” she said as she took Marnie’s hand.
“Back then, I was in my junior year at Yale and my world literally fell away from under my feet. I can recall that emotional devastation so sharply. That they died in a commercial plane crash was so unlikely it made the event seem ludicrous. This time, with Adam, I knew I had to take some time.”
After taking a sip of water, Marnie asked, “So how is it to be retired in Galveston?”
“We love it. It is so nice to be close to Louise’s family and able to help out. I finally have time to pursue my real passion. Painting. I love the concentration and I enjoy the local art fairs—being a seller and not just a buyer. I’m getting a bit of a reputation in the Galveston art scene.”
“I’m so happy for you. Even if you’re not BOI, you can claim IBC status.”
Nancy laughed. “Yes, Island-by-Choice.”
“I’m eager to see your work. Ellie Jean will join me and spend most of her winter break here. We’re hoping you’ll have time to show us the new and improved Galveston.”
Nancy laughed again. “Definitely on my calendar.”
“How’s Claude?” Marnie asked.
“Busy. We did a lot of remodeling to move permanently to our Galveston beach home. Then Claude got bored, so he found a part-time job at the local community college. Lucky for me. As all my friends say, I married for better or for worse but not for lunch. How’s Ellie Jean?”
“She’s doing as well as can be expected. We spent the summer together, hiking and enjoying the pups. We watched old family movies and talked about Adam. With me on sabbatical this year, it took some effort to get her to go study abroad as planned. I helped her get settled in Amsterdam. Then, I came back to my empty house and slept as much as the pups would let me. I think I’m finally finding my equilibrium again.”
Their meals arrived and they ate with relish.
After a bit, Marnie continued. “The loss of Gen feels different. Somehow, it’s galvanizing me into action. I have this magical feeling that if I can figure out what happened, I can bring her back. I know better but I can’t shake the feeling. If we can find out how and why it happened, I know it will bring me closure.”
“Sounds like you’re convinced there was foul play.”
“There has to be,” Marnie said. “Gen wouldn’t have gone willingly out in a boat that night, not when she and Garrett had plans. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“I agree. But the reason for the foul play is what we have to focus on. Who would benefit from Gen’s death?”
As always, Nancy zeroed in on the key question.
“That’s the thing. I’m not sure. I think it must be related to her research. I can’t imagine her making personal enemies. She was excited about her latest data correlating tropical disease cases in the U.S. to climate change. That might threaten some industries, especially oil and gas.”
Nancy nodded. “I have a friend from college who works in the EPA. Maybe I should give her a call. It’s always good to crowdsource a problem.”
Marnie shook her head. “EPA? Didn’t I read they were directed to avoid the use of the words “climate change” recently? But, yeah, I agree. Let me know what you find out.”
After lunch, Marnie headed to her place. She had to plan what she was going to say for the memorial. And then, she was going to sit on her porch with a cold drink.