If At First

Part 10 - Chapter 9

"See what?"

She didn't answer. I was still to blame for Beverly's mysterious absence.

Fields rolled past, the road climbing higher and higher until most signs of civilization were left behind us. I was lost in the hypnotic lull of scenery, when I finally spotted in the distance, what looked like a French chateau sprawling the horizon. As we drew closer, I realized this was likely our destination.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"It's 'The Lodge', of course. The Casey family visits every now and then when they'd like to step away from the spotlight for a while."

"I was picturing something...smaller." And bearing more of a resemblance to a log cabin. "What is it doing way out here?"

"They use it as a sort of resort. It's meant for very...particular company. There's a private airport a few miles up the way for their guests." She looked at me then. "Try not to look so impressed, Tabitha, you'll give yourself away."

Give myself away? What does that mean? "Nana, I need to tell you something."

"You won't say anything I don't already know."

"I might." I breathed, summoning my stomach for whatever was next.

"I'm not in the mood for conversation." She looked out the side window again.

"Nana, they think I'm someone I'm not."

"Don't be ridiculous, no one thinks that."

"But they do!" I argued. This was absolutely not the reaction I expected.

"Tabitha, you are someone you're not. Now stop talking."

I was glad she turned away again, because I just know the confusion on my face would have sent her into a rage. Still, I could feel her original anger waning. Probably because it had been replaced with annoyance.

The flawlessly landscaped, winding road that led to the Lodge was complete with sculptures, symmetrical shrubbery and a circle drive at the front entrance. There was an elegance about the place that almost dissolved the intimidation it instilled.

An energetic teen sprinted toward the car wearing a crisp red jacket. He opened my door after designating his associate to escort my grandmother. "Mrs. Theodore, Miss Bridian?" The youthful, round face assumed. He bowed very slightly, smiling, as he helped me out of the car, and held his hand out for the keys. I glanced into the small lot of parked cars, and noticed that my grandmother's Aston Martin was possibly the only make I recognized. What the heck is a Maybach?

I schooled a "not-impressed" face, deliberately did not ogle at the soaring, arched windows, and followed Nana through over-tall doors.

A voice twittered from inside, "Welcome back Mrs. Theodore, so nice to see you again." A gorgeous red-head with a toothy smile greeted us from halfway up the shallow marble steps leading to a foyer with voluminous ceilings. Anything louder than the sound of her delicate voice would have caused an avalanche.

"Oh, hello Tobie," Nana said, while digging through her purse, "This is my granddaughter Tabitha."

"Yes, I was informed that Miss Bridian would be joining you." She held a porcelain hand out to me. "I'm Mr. Casey's secretary. It's lovely to meet you, my name is Tobie. I hope you will visit us here often while you are in Townsend." She smiled and nodded her perfect head. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you through myself."

I realized once again how officially inadequate I am in every respect. Still, there was no option but to follow her. She led us through the main hall and held open a glass door to a sun-filled, perfectly hedged courtyard. Waiting for us, was what looked like an overdressed golf cart.