Messages From Across The Lake • 3
-1976-
Start at the beginning:
The thought of a whole year without writing to Daniel haunted Bethany, but she somehow managed to live the life of a typical 16-year-old (if there is such a thing.) By the time July rolled around, Bethany was ready to explode. She couldn’t wait to get back to the lake.
Like the previous year, Bethany launched the sailboat as soon as she arrived at the cabin. This time the note read:
Daniel, I am so glad it is summer. I really missed sending you messages. I thought maybe we could continue writing via mail after the week is over. If you would like to, we can exchange addresses.
I look forward to your reply.
Bethany
There was no reply that afternoon or the next day. Bethany was heartbroken. On the third day, she rose early and walked a good portion of the shoreline on both sides of their dock. But it was no use. She couldn’t find the sailboat anywhere. She returned to the cabin, sat on the dock, and let the tears roll down her cheeks.
Bethany’s mother sat next to Bethany and put her arm around her.
“I’m sorry, Honey. There are still a few days left. Don’t give up hope yet.”
Bethany didn’t reply; she just rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.
Then in the distance, they saw a ship heading their way. A sailboat. Not Bethany’s sailboat, but a small full-sized sailboat. With a teenage boy sailing it. The ship sailed up to the dock, and the boy said, “Are you Bethany Clark?”
Bethany smiled and said, “Daniel?”
“That’s me. I told you I would build a sailboat someday. My Dad helped. I am sorry I took so long. We had to make some last-minute adjustments to the rigging. Oh, here is your sailboat.”
Daniel handed Bethany her sailboat.
“Thank you. I was afraid it sank.”
“Daniel, would you like to join us for dinner? Bethany’s father is grilling burgers,” Donna said.
“Thank you. I would like that. But I should probably tell my Dad, so he doesn’t worry that I sank. Bethany, would you like to sail with me to tell my Dad?”
Bethany looked at her mother.
“Sure. Be careful.”
By then, both Carl and Bobby had made their way down to the dock. They all watched as the two teens sailed away.
“I don’t like him,” Carl said.
“You don’t like any boy who shows interest in Bethany.”
“Yup. Nice sailboat, though.”
“He seems sweet. You can grill him at dinner, but be nice about it. Come on, we need to get dinner ready.”
“Can I ask Daniel for a ride after dinner?” Bobby asked.
“I don’t see why not,” Donna answered.
Bobby went off to play, and Donna and Carl walked back to the cabin arm-in-arm.
“I hate that we have to sell the cabin,” Donna said.
“I wish we didn’t have to, but with the layoff, I don’t see how we can afford to keep it. My new job doesn’t pay enough. We’ll tell the kids when we get home.”
“They are going to be crushed.”
“I know. We’ll just be honest with them. They won’t like it, but I think they’ll understand. Life is hard sometimes.”
Bethany and Daniel arrived at Daniel’s dock. Bethany was surprised at the size of the adjoining house and couldn’t help staring.
Daniel noticed and said, “My Dad is an executive at Ford.”
“You must be Bethany. I am pleased to meet you. I am Daniel’s father, Brian.”
“I am pleased to meet you also,” Bethany replied.
“Your little sailboat has been quite an enjoyable adventure. It inspired Daniel to build the sailboat you sailed here on.”
“It is a beautiful boat. Daniel told me you helped him build it.”
“We did it together. With a lot of instruction from a neighbor who has built three of them.”
“I love it.”
“Dad, Bethany’s parents have invited me to join them for dinner. Is that alright?”
“Of course. Go and have a good time. Just be back before dark. You aren’t a seasoned sailor quite yet.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
That evening, Daniel enjoyed his time with the Clark family. The attraction between Bethany and Daniel was undeniable. Carl begrudgingly enjoyed Daniel’s story of the sailboat’s construction. Donna was charmed by Daniel’s good manners and intelligence. He seemed mature for his age.
As these things tend to go, Bethany and Daniel grew closer as the week progressed. On their final day, they shared their first kiss. Bethany and Daniel exchanged addresses and phone numbers before going their separate ways.
When they got home, Carl and Donna broke the news to Bethany and Bobby that they were selling the cabin. As expected, they were both devastated. Bethany immediately called Daniel to tell him.
“Don’t worry, we have a huge lake house. There is plenty of room for both our families. I am sure my Dad would love to have the company,” Daniel replied.
Daniel was correct. His father built the lake house with guests in mind. He was happy to have the Clarks join them at the lake the following year. In fact, Brian and Carl became good friends.
Through countless letters and phone calls, Bethany and Daniel kept their summer romance alive. The following fall, they both enrolled in the same college. A year later, they were married.
Every July, both families spend a week at the lake house. Where Bethany and Daniel go sailing.
So, did Carl grill Daniel before or after the burgers were done? Details, please!
Worth waiting for...good story, Mark.