16: Great Minds Think Alike (Along the Way, Epilogue - Something More)
As we worked at our respective computers, Darren gave me a fond look over the antique double desk he had bought us as a wedding gift nearly 30 years before. "I'm really proud of you, honey. I know you aren't thrilled at the prospect of the kids throwing an anniversary party for us, but they're SO excited. At least it isn't a surprise party!" he finished with a chuckle.
"It will be nice to see everyone, and I can put up with anything for one evening. I assume the notion of keeping it a secret got squashed."
"Melissa and Patrick were in favor of that, but Van and Harry explained why a surprise of that magnitude wouldn't be...good."
Nodding distractedly, I changed the subject abruptly. "Dare, I need to discuss something...serious with you."
"Sure, sweetie, come sit on the couch." We faced each other holding hands, of course. "Are you okay, love?"
"I'm fine, Darren. I've been...considering a major change...and I need your opinion."
My husband smiled encouragingly.
"I've been thinking about Eliza's position at Mrs. D's Place since she got her degree..."
"She doesn't want to leave, does she?" Darren asked with concern.
"Quite the opposite in fact. She has some great ideas for upgrading and expanding the camp. So, I asked her what she thought of taking over..."
"Taking over? You mean, becoming the director?"
"Yes. I've been...thinking about how much longer I want to run Mrs. D's, if I'm capable of keeping up with the kids..."
"Rhiannon, of course you are..."
"For now, Dare, but I want to get out before it becomes...too much for me. It's been almost 25 years of year round preparation to get everything together, then intense summers of making it all work. Eliza has been there as long as I have, so between her experience, her education, and her genuine understanding of what these kids have gone through...she's ready. She deserves this chance."
Darren looked thoughtful. "Rhi, I'm not disagreeing, but what if you switched places with her? She became the director, and you were her assistant?"
"We discussed that, honey, but I don't think it's feasible. Everyone would still look to me for the final word and that would undermine Eliza's authority. Of course, I'll give her any advice she asks for, but it needs to be a clean break."
I began to worry that my husband thought I had gone insane as he stared at me for a minute.
"Dare? Say something! Anything! Tell me I'm crazy or..."
My husband startled me when he burst out laughing.
"Oh, Rhiannon. If I thought you were crazy, I'd have to think I am too! You're not going to believe this, but I've had...almost identical conversations about CallaCriss with Van and Billy!"
My eyes widened in shock. "What? Dare...?"
"I've been having the same sorts of feelings about staying with CallaCriss, Rhi. Between the advances in technology and the changes in musical tastes, it seems like the right time to let the younger generation take over. You know how much I depend on them, and how well they work together. I'm completely comfortable putting them in charge."
Now I was the one asking questions. "Are you sure, Dare? You're not just saying this because of what I said, are you?"
Darren raised my hand to his lips. "Of course not, love. Wouldn't it be nice to see your folks whenever the mood strikes? Go on a real vacation somewhere even farther away? The late nights scoping out talent are starting to wear on me, so why not let these whippersnappers do the heavy lifting? And, who knows? Maybe there will be more grand-munchkins to play with some day?"
"Dare, I can't believe that we came to this conclusion at the same time completely independently!"
My husband leaned in to give me the first kiss of many we shared that afternoon. "I can, honey. After all, great minds think alike!"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: There it is, the last expanded scene I've got for the second trilogy. I can't believe so many people are still reading about Rhi and Darren, and I hope to write a third trilogy to continue their story...some day. WeMeow2 :)