* * * *
Katherine had just finished pouring out the tea when she heard Mrs. James unlock and open the front door. With a smile of satisfaction, she fit the lids on four “to-go” cups. Four. Sally had agreed to come to church with them that morning, and Katherine's heart fluttered with hopeful expectation.
“About ready, Dearie?” Mrs. James peeked at her around the kitchen curtain.
“Yes, I’m ready. Could you take a couple of these?” Katherine held out two cups, fragrant steam curling up from the travel lids.
“What a wonderful idea!” Mrs. James reached for the cups and held the curtain back with her arm. Katherine took the remaining two cups of tea and they walked out to where Mr. James was waiting in his car.
“What’s this?” he asked as his wife handed him a cup.
“Tea for the road, compliments of Katherine.”
Mr. James’ face grew serious, but his eyes twinkled at Katherine in the rear-view mirror as she slid into the back seat. “Ah, but is it Assam?”
“Not today,” Katherine said, quickly adding, “This is the new Cameroonian tea. I thought you would all like to try it.”
“Well, I suppose it’s good to try new things from time to time.” Mr. James tried to pull his face into a serious expression, but the corners of his mouth gave a telling twitch.
“It does smell delicious!” Mrs. James said, lifting the cup closer to her face and breathing deeply.
“I agree,” Mr. James said, back to his usual cheery tone. He turned the car around and headed down Main Street.
The Victorian brick buildings of the downtown blocks slid swiftly past the windows as Katherine held two cups on her lap. She couldn’t decide if the strange, tingly feeling in her stomach was nervousness or anticipation. Perhaps it was both. Please, Lord, help Sally.
They stopped outside one of the taller buildings and waited. The shops on the main level were dark and still, but a familiar form emerged from the sheltered doorway, black skirt and white blouse mostly hidden under a warm jacket.
“Good morning, Sally!” Katherine said as the younger woman plopped onto the seat next to her.
“Mornin,’” she mumbled, settling down into her seat with a posture that reminded Katherine of a turtle retreating into its shell.
“Tea,” Katherine said gently, holding out the cup.
“Thank you.” A faint glimmer of a smile flickered across Sally’s face before she turned back toward the window, both hands curled tightly around her cup of tea.
* * * *
The ride to church was subdued, but cheerful. Katherine was surprised that Sally could keep up her solemn silence when the sun shone so gloriously through the yellow-orange leaves that still clung to the branches of trees along the road. But then, Katherine remembered how even the beauty of her beloved harbor had failed to cheer her during those first few months after her return to Harborhaven.
Katherine reached over and touched Sally’s arm. “It’s such a nice day, I wondered if you would want to come for a picnic after church?”
Sally’s eyes lit up just a little and she nodded shyly. “I’d like that.”
“What a great idea, Katherine. I hope there were some good leftovers for you to take.”
“Oh, yes. There were pasties and some of Sally’s delicious scones.”
Another almost-smile from Sally. Small victories. Katherine thought.
* * * *
A dry carpet of leaves crunched under foot that afternoon as they neared the top of the long flight of stairs that connected downtown Harborhaven with the cliffs above. Out of breath, the two young women stopped to rest.
“Well, we made it.” Katherine grinned.
“We did. Thanks for insisting on carrying the hamper. If not, I’d have quit halfway.” Sally leaned back against the railing next to the stairs, making no effort to mask her heavy breathing.
Katherine set the large basket down and shifted the strap of her knapsack. “I come here often on my day off. Turn around and you’ll see why.”
Sally turned around and Katherine heard a sharp gasp that she knew had nothing to do with the long, steep flight of stairs they had just climbed.
The Victorian buildings of downtown Harborhaven parted at First street, drawing the eye down its length to the sparkling blue of the harbor, reflecting the bright blue of the sky overhead. Puffy clouds floated here and there above the horizon, completing the picture.
Sally stood, silent and speechless, and Katherine did, too. She let the beauty of the scene wash over her, undiminished by its familiarity. Katherine let her mind drift back to previous fall days, full of light and laughter and the feeling of being safe, secure with her parents. Glancing over at Sally, she wondered if her friend had ever experienced those things for herself.
Finally, Sally broke the silence. “And you grew up here?” Her eyes were still on the waters of the harbor, where the light breeze made tiny ripples across its surface, bouncing the sunlight off in sparks and glimmers.
“Yes. I did.”
