The Iron Lighthouse

Two Ruined Lunchs

*Bailey pictured above*

Rodney's was the best sandwich shop in town, even if anyone tells you otherwise. Some people believe that Salvin's is better, but when someone names their sandwich shop after the town it is in, hopefully that is enough to let you know it can only be so great.

Right now Rebecca, Davy, and I were all seated at the best booth in Rodney's, the one in the far back corner near the restrooms. I mean, most people would think it's weird eating next to the bathrooms, but it was the place where we had all become friends back in eighth grade.

At the time, Rebecca and I already knew each other. We met back in kindergarten, you know the classic 'best friends since pretty much forever.' Rebecca and I had just had a sleepover, and Grandpa was taking us out for lunch at Rodney's.

Rebecca and I were going to the bathroom, and we passed by the table were we now always sit at and saw Davy there with his family, including his older brother Jacob. When we got to the bathroom, Rebecca started talking to me about how she thought that the older boy at that table was cute and all that. Then, on our way out, Rebecca opened the bathroom door just as a waiter was delivering food to Davy's family, hitting the waiter in the back. The food went everywhere, and Rebecca was really embarrassed. She tried to help clean up the mess, but it was just a disaster. Eventually, we just went back to Grandpa and took our sandwiches with us in to-go boxes and ate back at my house.

The next day was Monday, and Rebecca and I saw Davy at school. It turned out he had just moved to Salvin, and was a new kid at our school. He was in a lot of our classes, and somehow he did not remember me from the lunch disaster. I guess it was probably because he saw Rebecca cause the mess, and maybe forgot me coming out of the bathroom after it all. Either way, we became friends and eventually, Rebecca got to talk with him. It was awkward for both of them, but now we are all friends so it worked out well in the end. Anyways, that's why we always sit at the back corner booth. Oh, and after that disaster, they changed the bathroom doors so that they open into the bathroom to prevent another disaster.

Anyways, now we were seated at our table, munching on our sandwiches.

"So, what do you think about those numbers, Ellie?" Rebecca asked me as she chowed down on her ham and provolone cheese sandwich, which was her favorite.

I shrugged. "I don't know. I would say a lock combination, but if it is a hint to the gold left by one of the Saprtra's, then it would have to be put into question whether they had number locks back in the 1800s."

"I think it's a code," Rebecca said. "And if it is one, I'll bet you'll figure it out."

"Is this your way of saying you don't want to help?" I asked her.

"You got me there. But also, this clue's got me stumped," Rebecca laughed.

"There's also a chance there isn't gold at all and you've been on a wild goose chase since the day you first heard that story from your grandfather," Davy reminded me.

"I know," I replied, glaring at him. "But I hope there is."

"Me too. Otherwise, that's a long time for you to be chasing a wild goose, Ellie," Rebecca added.

"Well, I have always kept an eye out for clues and read up on stuff about the lighthouse, but I haven't had every second of my life focused on it. I just think about the mystery a few times a week, but haven't actually done much about it," I told her.

"Look at who just walked through the front door," Davy suddenly cut in.

I glanced over to the entrance and saw Bailey and Caleb.

"Ugh, not them," I heard Rebecca moan. "The worst couple in all of Maine."

"Ya, they are terrible alone but much more awful together," Davy added.

"You're just saying that because you have a huge crush on Bailey," I told him, rolling my eyes.

"You're not wrong," Davy said, still staring at Bailey.

"I can't believe you still like that damn-" Rebecca started.

"Don't you dare," I cut her off.

"Why not? You know it's true!"

"Rebecca," Davy said, patting Rebecca's head. "I would advise against insulting my future girlfriend, and someday wife."

"You are one crazy you-" Rebecca started again.

"Rebecca, what did I say about cursing?" I reminded her.

"You never said anything about it, as far as I can remember," she told me.

"Exactly. So don't start now."

"Well you always cut me off before I can curse, so I don't see any problems!" 

"Shhhh!" Davy whispered loudly. "They're coming!" 

Bailey and Caleb were indeed coming, being led by the hostess right to the table behind us.

"Crap," I whispered. "Now we can't talk in peace."

"Aw come on. This benefits both of us," Davy said, nudging my side. "I know you have a crush on Caleb just as much as I have one of Bailey."

"Ya, I did, back in EIGHTH GRADE! Catch up with the time, slowpoke."

Davy shook his head. "I bet it's more than faded, you probably still-"

"Shhhh!" I told him, smacking his arm. They were now seated in their booth, and unfortunately I could see Caleb since I was sitting next to Davy, in the bench seat that was backed to the wall, and Caleb was seated in the bench seat in his booth facing towards us. For a second I stared at Caleb, and he stared back at me and winked. 

My insides burned with a new raging fire, maybe because that eighth-grade crush had never really completely faded. Davy was right. There had always been a part of me that, when passing Caleb in the hall couldn't help but notice his beautiful brown eyes, his soft brown hair, and that calm look he always wore...

Rebecca leaned over the table towards me. "Ellie, snap out of it!" I realized that I had been staring at Caleb for far too long, and he had looked away. 

Davy nudged me again. "Your lover boy winked at you, Ellie, maybe he's into you!"

"He's all over Bailey, not possible," I mumbled, just a little bit sad.

"Well that Bailey is sitting with her back to my back with only a bit of wood in between!" Rebecca whispered quietly. "She's gonna pass her STDs to me!"

"That's not how it works," I told Rebecca. 

She just rolled her eyes. "Can we get out of here?"