Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) (2 page)

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi Honey. Just checking in.” Her mom’s standard greeting left an opening for Lindsey to talk.

“I’m glad you called Mom,” Lindsey admitted, still tugging on her hand in her hair. “I was going to call you in a few minutes. Do you remember Nana’s trip to Alberta?” One more tug and her hand was free.

“I think so.” Ann paused. “When was that again?”

“Summer of ninety-two.”

“That’s sounds right. I think that was one of the first trips she went on with the group from church.”

“Do you remember anything else about it?”

“Why honey? What’s going on?” Her mother was never one to waste any time.

Lindsey knew it was pointless to try to hide anything from her, and if she didn’t fess- up, her mother would be at the door in ten minutes to badger the truth out of her. “You know how I’ve been going through Nana’s things? Well, I found her travel journal from that trip to Alberta and Banff National Park.”

“Really? I thought she got rid of everything?”

“I know. So did I, but it was buried in a purse in the attic. Anyway,” she continued, “since her trip began fourteen years ago on June 3rd, I’ve decided it wasn’t just a coincidence that today is June 1st. I’ve booked myself on the same trip and will be leaving early Monday morning for Canada.” She exhaled, feeling relieved to finally get it out. Telling her mother always made things real for her.

Ann was silent for thirty seconds, which made Lindsey’s heart beat faster in anticipation of her response. Her mother was rarely at a loss for words. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she finally asked. “Is it safe there? What about traveling alone? A lot can happen to a single woman traveling by herself.”

Lindsey was surprised her mother ever left her home with all the “what ifs” that were always forefront on her mind. “I’ll be fine, Mother. It’s a short flight and I’ve arranged for a guide service to take me from the airport to the hotel and then around the city for the following three days.” She took a deep breath, trying to think of what else might help reassure her mother. “It’s the same tour company that Nana used. I checked out their website and requested to be picked up in the van that seats twenty-one people, so I won’t be by myself. They said they only had two seats left for next week, so I’m really not concerned.”

“I’m still not sure about this, Lin.”

“I know, Mom, but this is what I need to do right now.” She looked out at the squirrels in the backyard and at the various bird feeders that Nana never failed to keep full. “I have a lot to do before I leave, and I’ll e-mail you my itinerary, ok? I’ll have my cell on if you need me.”

“Hugh? Hugh? Come over here!” She heard her mother yell for her father. “Lindsey is taking a trip to Canada, alone, next week. Will you try to talk some sense into her?”

Lindsey sighed and rolled her eyes. There was some shuffling of the phone and then her father’s voice.

“Why is your mother all worked up this time?”

“Hi Dad. I found a travel journal of Nana’s, and I want to recreate the trip. Mom’s into her usual rant about this big, bad, dangerous world we live in. I’m sure she’ll be here in a few minutes with travel Lysol spray and information on how to check for bed bugs.”

They both laughed, but when her dad’s laughter subsided, his fatherly caution crept out. “Just be careful, Lin. Your mother might not know the best way to explain her concern, but she loves you and wants you to be safe.”

“I’ll be fine. This is going to be a great experience for me, and I’ll check in with you on Tuesday.”

“Sounds good, honey. I love you.”

“Love you, too, Dad.” She heard the phone shuffling once again.

“You’ll call when you get there?” Ann asked.

“Of course. And I’ll call again on Tuesday.”

She heard her mother take a deep breath. “Well, you be careful and keep your eyes open. I love you.”

Lindsey tried to silence her giggle. “Love you too, Mom.”

Even though Lindsey was a grown woman, she was also an only child, so all her parents’ worries rested on her shoulders. When she hung up the phone, she felt relieved that her mother hadn’t given her more of a fight.

She looked out the window again at the empty bird feeders, and then went into the garage to pick up the seed. Nana would expect Lindsey to take care of the birds before she left. After finishing her laundry and packing her bags, Lindsey visited websites of the places Nana had seen in person, each one making her more and more excited. After she dragged herself up the stairs to bed, she fell asleep dreaming of mountains.

S
INCE
L
INDSEY HAD
fallen asleep distracted by the thoughts of the trip, she forgot to set her alarm for church. Fortunately, she woke in time to take a quick shower and eat a bowl of cereal while she was blow-drying her hair. She ran down the stairs and set off to church.

Her friend Marie had saved her a seat in the middle row close to the altar. Lindsey saw the look of concern in her friend’s brown Asian eyes.

“You’re late,” Marie whispered.

“Alarm,” was all Lindsey had time to say before the sound of the organ filled the room with the opening music. She stood up as the pastor walked in and looked around for familiar faces. Helen, Nana’s friend, was staring at her and waved when she caught Lindsey’s attention. “I need to talk with you,” Lindsey mouthed to her. She knew if anyone could provide more insight into Nana’s trip to Alberta, it was Helen.

The music stopped and as she began to sit, she noticed someone frantically waving at her out of the corner of her eye. She smiled at her mother, dressed in a bold purple dress with a white rose pattern, and lifted her right hand for a quick acknowledgement before focusing her attention on their pastor.

Pastor Pete was an energetic young man. He had been with the Canton Community Church, or Triple C as it was known to members, for only two years, but had already improved their youth program, increased attendance, and was easily accessible to his parishioners.

Pete was not married, and that made him eligible to all the available women, and to the mothers of the available women who were always setting their daughters up with him. Lindsey and Pete had formed an instant friendship, and she found she could trust and talk openly with him. She hoped she was being as good a friend to him as he was to her.

Her lack of brothers and sisters often caused her to be too independent. She was used to doing things for herself, but it was nice to have Pete in her life when she needed a man’s opinion, or his brute strength. He had helped her move the hospital bed into the house for Nana, and had prayed over Nana in her final moments.

Lindsey realized she was day dreaming and had missed the first minutes of the sermon. She shook her head and tried to focus on Pete’s words.

“Psalm 139 reminds us that God is with us on every part of our journey. He charts the path ahead of us and will follow us into the deepest ocean or up on the highest mountain. This reading always gives me a peace for my travels and even in my daily spiritual journey with Him.”

Lindsey grinned, and looked over at her mother with the feeling that this message was directed at the two of them. She hoped it would help her mother trust that Lindsey was making the right decision and would return home safely.

The sermon finished and they all stood again when the music resumed. Marie turned to her. “Are we going to breakfast?”

“Sure. I need to talk with Helen, and Mom’s heading straight toward me. Can I meet you there?”

Marie didn’t like to wait for anyone and her frustration came out with a sigh. “I guess. I’ll get us a table, but try not to be too long.”

Lindsey accepted Marie and all of her quirks because she had been a loyal friend over the past five years. She knew better than to take Marie’s sometimes selfish actions personally, and usually just let her abrasive comments slide. Lindsey had learned it didn’t mean Marie didn’t love her; she just needed to learn impulse control.

Lindsey’s mom met her in the vestibule. “Hi honey. I put together a travel package for you. There’s a small can of Lysol, hand wipes, disinfecting hand gel, an
Enquirer
magazine, and some Reese’s pieces.” Ann handed her a cute pink bag with white polka dots.

Lindsey laughed at the combination, a perfect blend of both mother’s and daughter’s tastes—all practical on the inside with a carefree outside.

“Thanks, Mom.” Lindsey leaned in to hug her. “Where’s Dad?”

“He had a golf event this morning to raise money for cancer.” She leaned toward Lindsey and lowered her voice. “I couldn’t get mad at him for missing church for that.” Looking around the church, Ann declared, “I’m sure Pastor Pete will understand when I tell him.”

Lindsey’s mother was never one to miss church on Sundays. If she were sick, she would call in as if she were still in grade school and needed an excused absence. Lindsey chuckled again at her mother’s dedication.

“I’m sure he will,” Lindsey agreed. She saw Helen walking out of the door. “Mom, I want to talk with Helen before I leave. Can I talk to you tonight?”

She reached over for a hug, but her mother was already making her way toward Pastor Pete. “Sure. Bye, honey!”

Lindsey excused her way through the crowd of people waiting to talk to Pete, and had to jog to catch up to Helen. Helen’s silver, curly hair bounced as she walked across the parking lot to her car.

“Helen!”

She turned around and lifted her hand to her forehead to shield the sun.

“Oh, Lindsey. I’m sorry. I forgot you wanted to talk with me.”

Lindsey was out of breath. “That’s . . . ok . . . . Do you . . . have a minute?”

“Sure. What do you need?”

“A little oxygen after that run in these heels,” Lindsey joked and looked down at the simple white strapped sandals she was wearing. She looked up again. “I wanted to ask you what you remembered of Nana’s trip to Alberta, Canada fourteen years ago.”

Helen’s eyes squinted and Lindsey thought it was from the bright sun, but when she heard the chill in Helen’s voice, she thought differently.

“What do you want to know?”

“Well, I found Nana’s travel journal from that trip and since it’s the only journal I’ve found, I thought it was a sign,” Lindsey explained. “I need some closure, Helen. I’ve decided to recreate the trip for myself. I’m leaving first thing in the morning.”

Helen grabbed Lindsey’s arm and moved her back onto the sidewalk and into the shade of the church, her grip tightening on Lindsey’s arm. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” There was no squint in Helen’s eyes now; they were wide-open, staring straight into Lindsey’s blue eyes.

“I think so,” Lindsey said. “I think I will feel closer to Nana if I can visit the same places that she did.” She hesitated and her eyes narrowed. “Why?”

Helen cleared her throat and fidgeted with her purse. “I just don’t know if a young lady should travel all that way by herself.”

“I know. You sound just like my mother, but I’ll be fine.” Lindsey smiled reassuringly and gently removed Helen’s grip from her arm. “Is there anything you remember Nana telling you when she returned?”

Helen smashed her lips together. “Oh, you know, we had the usual vacation conversation about the good food, the beautiful mountains, the comfortable beds, things like that.”

Lindsey was disappointed. “Well. If you remember anything else, will you give me a call?” She reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. “Here’s my cell phone number, and I’m staying at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, so you can reach me either way.”

“I will, Lin. Be careful, please, and use that stubborn common sense that Adele passed on to you.” She hugged Lindsey, then opened her purse to find her car keys.

Lindsey could smell Helen’s rose perfume lingering even after she drove away. She was a bit put off . . . Helen really hadn’t liked the subject of Nana’s trip at all. She shrugged it off, and decided Helen was just overprotective, like her mom. Lindsey went to locate her car and drive to the restaurant, hoping Marie wasn’t getting too worked up that she was late.

L
INDSEY COULD ALMOST
picture the smoke billowing off the top of Marie’s head as she slid into the booth opposite her. She began her apologies right away. “I am so sorry. It took me a little longer to get out of there than I thought it would.”