The following month went by in a blur. Addison spent much of her time running errands to get everything ready for Tyler. She added Tyler to her bank account so he would be able to take care of the rent checks, bills, and keep food in the house. He had offered to get a job to help out but Addison insisted he spend his time studying and continuing in his sports instead so he could get into college. Much to Tyler's protest she also had a will written up. It was something she never imagined herself doing in her twenties but the accident had made her realize how vital it was. Tyler wasn't her dad's son so she had no idea if the home and money would have been able to go to him if she had died that day and it wasn't a chance she wanted to take in the future. As much time as possible was spent letting Tyler practice driving so he could use the car as soon as possible, in the mean time he would carpool with a friend in the neighborhood. Addison turned in her two weeks notice at work and spent her shifts training a new girl who would become her replacement. The two of them also picked out paint for a couple rooms in the house and got furniture for Tyler and their mother's room. One thing Tyler had always begged her for but they could never afford was a pet so they made a trip to the shelter together where Tyler picked out a plump orange cat whom he named Gingersnap. Despite being Tyler's cat Gingersnap decided that Addison had to share her couch at night but Addison didn't mind, having him there made it warmer and he was a sweet cat.
"Mom?" Addison knocked on the door softly.
"What do you want?" her mom called from inside.
"I just wanted to talk," Addison answered, "Please?"
"Just a second," her mom called out. A moment later the door opened and her mother peeked her head out. Her green eyes were bloodshot and her dirty blonde hair hung in messy waves. A pang of sadness hit Addison as she looked at her. The shirt she was wearing hung on her thin body. "Did you need something?"
"I just wanted to talk, I leave tomorrow."
"I know," her mom replied as she pulled a cigarette out of her pocket. Addison snatched it away from her, "Not in my house. Go outside for that."
Her mom laughed mockingly, "You think you're such a hotshot just because you got us a house don't you? You didn't work for that money it fell into your lap so don't act like you're so far above me."
Addison clenched her fist trying to control her annoyance. She took a breath, she was determined to have at least one civil conservation with her mother before she left. "You're right. However the apartment that we have lived in since I was old enough to work. That was me. And did you help? No. You took that as an opportunity to stop working and stop trying at all. So I do think I deserve some credit."
"Are you done with your childish fit Addison?" Her mother asked, grinning smugly.
"One of the few childish things I ever got to do," Addison replied, "All I wanted to do was say goodbye."
"You don't need to say goodbye. You know why? Because you'll be back. What the hell do you expect to find there? That island is full of bored, small-minded people. And those small-minds do stupid things when they're bored, you'll see. Boredom is dangerous Addison."
"What kind of stupid things mom?" For a moment Addison had hope that her mother would finally open up to her about why their family had fallen apart. To Addison her lack of knowledge was one of the most frustrating things she had to deal with. She felt she was entitled to know the events that had led up to her having to sacrifice her childhood.
"You'll see. And when you come crying back don't expect me to offer much more than an I-told-you-so. If you don't need anything else I need a smoke which apparently I need to go outside for." Her mother pushed past Addison and shuffled down the hall towards the sliding glass door, leaving Addison standing confused and disappointed.
"I love you mom," she whispered to herself as she watched her mother light up outside. Her hopes went up in flames as her mother lit her cigarette.
The next morning was a cool one, the sky was gray and misting. Addison was up early to make sure everything was packed away. Since the ferry was still out of commission she was shipping her possessions to the island and only bringing with her a small bag with some clothes and hygiene essentials. She had prepared the bag the night before and in the morning found it knocked over with a striped orange tail hanging out the end.
Addison had said goodbye to Tyler the night before and wasn't sure she could handle another goodbye. The night before she had almost changed her mind after talking to Tyler. As excited as she was to leave she was worried that Tyler wouldn't be okay but she was reassured by the fact that she could always come back if need be. She had arranged for a taxi to pick her up so the car could stay at home and be there for Tyler once he got his license. The sunlight was barely peeking through the darkness when Addison heard the taxi honking outside.
"Adi," Tyler called out her name as she collected her bag and was heading towards the door. She turned around surprised to see her half asleep brother standing in the hallway
"Tyler we weren't supposed to do this," her voice quivered.
"No words, no goodbyes, just a hug." Tyler approached her and grabbed her in a firm hug, picking her off the ground. Addison returned the hug and nuzzled her head into his shoulder, struggling to push back the surge of emotion that would force her to reconsider everything. A second horn from outside broke their embrace and without a word Addison picked up her bags and walked out the door without a glance back, she knew her heart couldn't take another. Tyler watched the door as he heard the slam of the cab door and it pulling out of the driveway, accelerating away with the only person he truly felt close to.
"If you really loved her you would have asked her to stay. She would have if you asked," his mother called to Tyler from her bedroom doorway. Tyler turned to face her, tears shining in his eyes.
"I let her go because I love her."
His mother sighed, shaking her head, "She will never be the same now. Just you watch. That island will change her just like it changed her father."
Addison laid her head against the back window of the cab, a few tears sprinkling down her face. She hoped once she arrived on the island she would feel excited but right now all she felt was the sting of what she was leaving behind. Once the cab arrived at the dock the sky had been streaked pink and gold by the rising sun and the bite in the air was lessening.
Even without the Castanet ferry the docks were bustling with activity and seagulls were calling out to each other, possibly inquiring about who had the best breakfast to scavenge. It was an oddly clear autumn morning but that didn't stop the bitter cold from biting at Addison's face. Smaller boats were running out to Castanet a couple times a day until the ferry was back in commission. Space was limited and Addison crammed onto the boat, making sure to avoid the window. Addison was anxious enough to be going onto the water again she didn't really feel like seeing the dark water if she didn't have to. It wasn't the most comfortable ride but Addison settled into a restful, almost asleep state for the duration of the trip.
Daylight had completely taken over the sky as the boat pulled into the Castanet harbor. Unlike Addison's last visit hardly anybody was on the harbor except a few wanting to catch the boat back to the mainland. A white cat was prowling the docks for fish and meowing at anybody who walked by. There was a slight twinge of guilt at enjoying the quiet, Addison knew the ferry accident couldn't be good for the economic state of the island but the peacefulness was refreshing. She took in the scenery, slowly absorbing the idea that this was now home. This place was her life now.
A shuffling sound caught Addison's attention and she looked around curiously for the source of the sound. She noticed movement in one of the decorative shrubs where the stone road met the wooden docks. Addison approached it and looked over the shrub.
"Eek! Get down!" Addison ducked out of instinct and an arm pulled her down behind the shrub.
"What the hell?!" Addison exclaimed, kneeling down behind the shrub. Beside her sat a flustered looking girl who couldn't have been older than Tyler. She had large, brown soft eyes and brown hair that was cut short except for two long bangs on either side. Her frilly pink dress made her look even younger and somewhat innocent but she had a deviant, determined look on her face.
"Shh!" She shushed Addison and pointed to a short dock near the lighthouse. A silver haired man dressed in blue was leaning against the post of the dock with his fishing pole in the water. His large straw hat was pulled down over his eyes and he looked to be sleeping.
"Are you really hiding in a bush to stare at a guy?" Addison muttered incredulously.
The girl nodded determinedly and Addison noticed a pair of binoculars hanging from the girl's neck, "That is Toby," she answered dreamily.
"Is he your boyfriend or something?" Addison whispered, still kneeling down.
"He will be someday! He is going to be my husband." There wasn't a shadow of doubt in her response.
"You have got to be kidding me. How old are you? Sixteen?"
"I'm fifteen," she corrected her, "My name is Renee. And I will marry Toby, it is a sure thing."
Addison couldn't help but smile. As ridiculous as it was, her young innocence was endearing and her hopefulness reminded her of Tyler. "How exactly do you know it is a sure thing? He looks a bit older for you."
"Wizard told me. He told me that Toby and I are destined to be bonded to each other by marriage."
"I'm sorry but did you just say wizard?" Addison asked her dryly. She had just got here and was already feel exasperated.
"Yes. And I told you my name, it is rude to not introduce yourself you know," Renee said condescendingly as she peered through her binoculars, sighing as her face flushed.
"Oh sorry, I'm Addison. I'm just moving here today."
"You should go visit Wizard and ask to see your future too."
"You know, I don't think I believe in wizards and future telling and that sort of things. But I do believe in breakfast and I'm starving so if you don't mind I'm going to be leaving now," Addison said as she stood up.
"Bye then, I'll see you around," Renee dismissively replied, turning her gaze back to the sleeping fisherman.
Addison walked towards the Brass Bar, trying to process what she had just seen. She couldn't decide if it was adorable young love or creepy stalking – maybe both. But wizards? That was nonsense if she had ever heard it. But perhaps fifteen year old girls were supposed to believe in magic. She wondered if Tyler believed in magic. Probably not, he had to grow up fast just like her.
The bar was quieter just as the harbor had been. Addison spied Gill sitting at a table with a blue haired man dressed in denim jeans and a leather jacket trimmed with green.
"Addison!" Gill called out cheerfully as he stood up and gave Addison a warm hug.
"Hi Gill," she turned towards the other man, "And you must be Luke."
Luke nodded and shook Addison's hands courteously, "Pleasure to meet you Addison." Addison had given Gill permission to take Luke into her home so he could assess what repairs would be needed. It had been obvious from her last visit that she wouldn't be able to live in the house right away. The two had breakfast and Luke went over all the things that needed to be fixed which was a dauntingly long list that included electrical wires and rotted wood on the porch.
"Would you like to see the estimates on the barn and coop too?" Luke asked once they had finally squared away the details on Addison's house.
"I just want a home before we discuss any extras." Luke nodded and handed Addison some papers outlining the work he would do for Addison to sign off on. While Luke and Addison talked Hayden approached them and pulled Gill off to the side.
"Is it true? She is going to live here?" Hayden asked.
Gill was glowing with happiness, "Yes it is. Her and Luke are discussing home repairs now."
Gill expected a smile but was met only with a stern look from Hayden, "If she is going to live here she is going to learn certain things. Certain things that could be hard to hear but may be easier coming from you."
Gill's glow was replaced by a cold frown, "If I tell her that now she will just turn around and go right back to her brother and mother."
"So you aren't going to tell her? I don't think that is wise."
"I will tell her," Gill protested, "Just not now. Once she is settled."
Hayden folded his arms and shook his head, "Your choice but that is leaving her feelings up to chance. Do you really want to do that?"
"Almost nobody knows. And those who do have no reason to say anything."
"People slip up Gill. People who aren't personally affected by information take it for granted," Hayden urged on, but Gill wouldn't budge.
Gill returned to Luke and Addison and the three finished their meal. After breakfast Addison decided to take one last look at her home before the renovation and repairs began. Gill offered his company but to his dismay Addison told him she would rather go alone.
Walking the path held an eerie nostalgia for Addison. When she was a small child one of their cows had died and Addison asked her father with tear-filled eyes where the cows go when they die. He had lifted her onto his knee and explained that when creatures die they go to heaven. When she asked what heaven was he had gone on to explain that heaven is different for everybody. In heaven you never had to leave your favorite place, the one place that made you feel whole and complete and safe. When Addison's life had hung in the balance she had walked this same path back to the place that she would now once again call home and she had spent many nights wondering why that place was her heaven. Perhaps it was heaven by comparison – surely the couple apartments she had lived in with her mother weren't heaven. Nor was school or the restaurant she had worked in. So perhaps this place was heaven because it held some of her few bright memories. Maybe it was wishful thinking but Addison liked to believe it was because she truly did belong her and maybe she had a purpose here, a purpose that didn't involve always putting herself last.
Unlike that walk down the path, this one ended at the disheveled, neglected ranch that was now her home. She cringed as she thought of how long it was going to take to clear all the weeds that had once been her father's field. But that was for another day and she made her way towards the house.
Curiously the door was slightly ajar. Addison was slightly caught off guard but figured Luke or Gill had probably left the door open by accident. Upon entering she spied a small streak of red from behind the couch. As she walked closer she realized it was a blanket lying on the floor with no explanation. It somehow seemed familiar to her so she lifted it up off the ground. As soon as she lifted it to her face the scent of salt and seawater filled her nose that startled her slightly but she smiled and lay down on the couch, wrapping it around herself. It had been a long morning and a nap sounded like a wonderful idea. She was certain she hadn't seen anybody in the kitchen but as she drifted off she was sure she could smell the faintest hint of beef stew lingering in the house.