Why Cross-Currents?

By Carolyn S Webb

A recently divorced young lady moves to her grandparents' cabin deep in the Smokey Mountains. While trying to comprehend and work through wrong choices, she is asked to help an old friend take some kids through paddling lessons. She confronts the multifaceted changes in her obsolete marital situation, old-fashioned beliefs, job, family and spiri

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harrier Publishing
• Release date: Sep 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781087967981

Book preview

Why Cross-Currents

Carolyn Webb

Why Cross-Currents?

Copyright © 2023 C. S. Webb

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher or the author, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Published by Harrier Publishing

Tampa, Florida 33647 USA

Contents

1.I

2.II

3.III

4.IV

5.V

6.VI

7.VII

8.VIII

9.IX

10.X

11.XI

12.XII

13.XIII

14.XIV

15.XV

16.XVI

17.XVII

18.XVIII

19.XIX

20.XX

21.XXI

22.XXII

23.XXIII

24.XXIV

25.XXV

26.XXVI

27.XXVII

28.XXVIII

29.XXIX

Chapter one

Soaring above scattered clouds toward North Carolina, the pilot soon landed the plane as gently as though they were going to the store in a car. Jennifer ineffectively fought the unruly strands of hair falling across her eyes as she edged out of her seat to collect her carry-on. She had tied it into a French knot because she didn’t have time to straighten it before she left, but the sides of it escaped. She liked wearing it long even though it took her forever to fix, since it invariably looked like Little Orphan Annie’s hair when she cut it short.

A man rushed past as she reached overhead and knocked her into a small, grey haired lady sitting under the storage compartment; then he proceeded to send a young girl a few seats ahead of them tumbling to the floor, her arms floundering trying to catch her fall. All along the aisle the commotion continued as he pushed his way to the front.

Are you okay, she asked the lady beneath her.

The lady patted her arm as she drawled, Honey, now don’t you fret about me, not one little bit. It takes a whole lot more than having a pretty little thing like you bumping my shoulder to get me riled. I just hope that young gentleman makes his flight connection.

It had been a long time since she had heard a southern accent. She was reminded of the theme in Wizard of Oz, There’s no place like home. She smiled and answered, Me too.

Jennifer had mailed several large boxes to her Mom last month and a couple more before she left New York; so all she brought with her were three large suitcases and a carry- on. She left most of her belongings with her ex-husband after the divorce, partly because she didn’t want to drag around memories and partly for the sake of her son, Scott, who wanted to stay with his father. She would grieve later, sometime when she found the power to endure the pain and heal.

She was tired, but there had been many times when she was much more tired than this. Stress-free after the safe trip, she sauntered through the walkway from the plane to the airport into the waiting arms of her mother, who had her hair freshly done. She was dressed in a coral pant suit, and wore her favorite scent of White Shoulders. Jennifer had forgotten about that scent and it caused her to settle down all the more. Right now it felt SO good to be home.

They walked for a while then rode an escalator downstairs to the baggage carousel. Waiting for her suitcases to arrive, they were soon surrounded by a group of teenagers laughing, chattering and teasing each other with enthusiasm. She and her mom could barely hear each other speak, so they laughed and quietly waited for the conveyer belt to turn.

The kids left and they caught up with the latest events. When it came to the point when neither of them could think of more news, her mom broke the silence with, I took your boxes to Gram’s cabin like we planned, and stacked them in the corner of the living room; I also filled the kitchen with enough oatmeal, soup, sandwich supplies, and condiments for a week...plus a three pound can of coffee.

Jennifer reached over and gave her a big bear hug, Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate that; it sounds good.

I’ll either bring you supper, or you can join us until you get settled. You know you can stay with Andy and me, if you would rather.

I know, but thank you anyway; I’ll be fine at the cabin. Her mother wasn’t the manipulative kind of mother; she offered frequent advice because she enjoyed talking, but what she offered was more like conversation than guidance. Even still, Jennifer needed privacy while she was feeling moody. "Mom, don’t be offended, I’ve been so incredibly naïve that I can’t stop thinking about it. There are times I get depressed and just want to ponder ‘if only’ and cry; sometimes I feel guilty about shutting the door to yesterday; more times than not I’m so furious that I want to kick and scream; while still other times I want to cry, then forget

about the world, curl up and read a book. I’m simply too grumpy to be good company."

Mom looked at her as if she had seen a spider. You didn’t really say that.

Jennifer couldn’t help but smile to herself. Yes, I really did. Mom quietly shot her a knowing look before she said, Remember…a grain of sand in an oyster makes a pearl, and what is more beautiful?

A family; I know you’ve heard about it Mom; a real live family?

Dream on, Jenny. Even families in the Bible had trouble; and believe it or not, this sorrow too, will pass.

Umhummm.

They collected the luggage and Mom continued, Anyway, how hungry are you? I’ll bet you missed lunch. Maybe we should stop off for something.

How ‘bout Arby’s? I love their French dip sandwiches. Sure, that sounds good to me, too. I think there’s one about a mile from here. They loaded the trunk of the car, and Jennifer talked about her trip as they drove beyond the airport traffic to the restaurant. After they ordered their sandwiches and sat down, Jennifer brought her Mom up to date on all the changes in her life.

It was a little after four when they were close to where the mountainous peaks blocked the sun from the lower valleys. The Indians called this area the Land of the Noonday Sun. Mom drove through the mountain curves carefully until they reached the long driveway leading to Gram’s cabin. Mom called this Chigger Ridge, because she invariably went home covered with chiggers.

The small one bedroom log cabin was built by her grandfather and a group of his friends. It had a porch that ran the full length of the front that held two wooden rocking chairs. It remained a gentle retreat high on a sheltered ridge in the Smokey Mountains; far from the sounds, smells and tension of city life...and fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, far from her failure. Sunlight danced across the windows and a couple of squirrels chattered to one another as they scampered up and down the rough tree trunks as if to welcome her home. After Jennifer was comfortably settled, her mom asked, Do you want some company unpacking?

No, thanks Mom, I’m fine. There’s no hurry, so I think I’m gonna make some coffee and unpack slowly. I’m just tired; I need to rest and unwind.

Okay. I’ve got a roast in the crock pot, and a pie ready for the oven. I’m going to leave you to unpack, and I’ll be back around 6:00 to pick you up.

That sounds good…I’ll leave the door unlocked. I couldn’t do that in New York.

Mom smiled. Okay.

After walking her to the door, Jennifer blew a kiss and waved as Mom drove away. She ran her fingers through her hair and stood at the door looking outside. Fall hadn’t quite descended in North Carolina, and although many trees were starting to turn, most of the country was still green, and the smells were full of life. It was so beautiful; but more than that, all these years had transpired and the cabin was once again her haven for recovery.

A tree limb drooped near the door from a large tree. Where did that come from? It didn’t use to be there. It reminded her of the squeaky tire swing rubbing against the huge oak tree that once stood in the front yard. The old tree was gone now, but that new limb opened many memories of yesterday; when she learned to cook and sew…and paddle. Her Grandpa taught her how to whittle under that oak tree, before he hung the tire swing. Many fun, sad and crazy things had happened, and yet nothing had happened as her grandmother had explained the realities of life. Although Gram understood evil, she always believed in the underlying magic of human nature. Could she, too, ever reach that point? She had taken their love for granted. Why hadn’t she appreciated that when she was young?

As Jenny slowly closed the door and came inside, a mantle clock chimed the hour. After all these years it was still working! Her mother must have wound it for her. It brought tears to her eyes as she looked around. She felt safe in the cabin, the kind of home that stays a home even after you’ve been gone for a long, long while. Although her grandparents were no longer living, she felt their presence. It was a soothing feeling. She gazed out of the window at the approaching twilight. It gets to be twilight quickly up here in the land of the noonday sun.

Jennifer unpacked the small bag of toiletries from her carry-on. She placed them in the bathroom cabinet, and then opened the suitcase that held her favorite clothes. She hung a few dresses before she realized how much her feet ached. Leaving the suitcase ajar, she sat on the side of the bed and took off her tight shoes. Aaahh… she sighed. She wiggled her toes, enjoying the freedom. Her legs felt heavy; maybe she should lie down for a while. She scooted up toward the pillow and closed her eyes. She didn’t intend to sleep, but the next thing she knew her Mom woke her for supper.

Chapter two

Although it was still August, Jenny felt chilly. She had been in North Carolina almost a month now, and a blustery wind howled effortlessly through the trees. She opened the door and stepped outside to observe fluffy white and grey clouds toiling above the cabin, and the smell of rain filled the air. Ventilated by the crisp breezes they swarmed into an infinite sequence of shapes. One ominous cloud rolled toward her, so heavy it was almost black. Lights burst on and off inside it forming stunning patterns, yet the flashes weren’t large enough or sustained long enough to transform the blackness.

Shivering, Jenny retrieved a sweater from the closet. She sat for a while listening to the wind and realized it was getting colder. Electricity fed a heat pump; but instead of using it, she started a fire in the fireplace and lit the Aladdin lamps, recalling when Gram used them. Radiance from their flames soon reflected on the rafters, the warmth both soothing her and stirring contentment. She kicked off her clogs and curled up in the rocker with a blanket.

The mantle clock struck 11:30. She and her Mom intended to go shopping an hour ago, but there was still no sign of her. She must be mistaken about the time. Because there was no doorbell Jenny listened for the car; but there was no car, no knock—no footsteps, either. Jenny dialed her number again, but there was no answer. Did she just forget, or was she in a wreck somewhere? She gave up and went into the kitchen to make some coffee, spooning grounds into the pot, but as she poured in some water, an unexpected bolt of lightning cracked overhead followed by a crash of thunder that vibrated the air around her. By the time she turned on the pot, raindrops bombarded the tin roof. It was a torrential downpour, overpowering everything. It wasn’t unwelcome; the rain was needed. It felt as if all of nature joined forces to whisk away pain and give life.

The sound of the wind was thrilling; but today it intensified bittersweet memories of when she was young. Between the thunder and her mom working in another city, she’d been so distressed that she didn’t want to get out of bed. Concerned, Gram came into her room, sat down beside her and explained how thunder was angels bowling in heaven.

Jenn knew her Grandma would answer, But why is it so dark when they bowl?

Gram said the sky gets dark because when clouds fill up with water, they are like fluffy pots that float wherever they need to water the flowers. Don’t worry about the darkness; the stars always sparkle behind the clouds whether we can see them or not.

They talked about many fun things before discussing her absent parents breaking up. Gram explained, Sometimes things happen between people that make it impossible for them to stay together.

"But Gram, I’ve thought and thought, and I can’t figure out what I did