Weeping Willows

Trip to Nowhere

Chapter 28

"Elizabeth."

A clear male voice spoke in her ear startling Elizabeth awake. She flew out of bed looking wildly around her room scared of an intruder. The room was quiet in the wee morning hours, the only noise was her harsh breathing echoing off the bare walls. As she glanced about, her body relaxed noting there was no one there with her. She tried to evoke what happened the night before but could only remember writing the letter. She didn't even call to mind going to bed. She must have been exhausted. Bits and pieces of events floated in and out of her awareness foggily, Elizabeth was unable to grasp much more then impressions. She must have had another nightmare though this is the first time she can recollect that she wasn't able to recall what it had been. She sat heavily down on the bed watching the grey light of dawn beginning to filter through her window. It was unbelievably early, too early to be up really. As she contemplated going back to sleep something about the time niggled her thoughts. It took a minute before she was shooting off the bed once again in a panic. Wide awake now she rushed about the room gathering up clean clothes and heading to the bathroom. She did not want to get caught in the shower when Jan and Ryan showed up that morning.

Elizabeth was nose deep inside the wardrobe in the studio when they showed up. She had been checking to see if she had put the letter away since her memory seemed to be failing her. Jan walked into the studio just as Elizabeth was closing the door to the standing closet. Jan raised her eyebrows as her eyes drifted between the woman who looked like a kid caught doing something they shouldn't and the closet beside her.

"Just what are you up to in here?"

"Nothing." Elizabeth laughed trying to brush off what she just saw.

"I don't know Lizzy. It looks like you've got a secret." Elizabeth laughed nervously tossing her hair up into a ponytail out of habit.

"Nope, no secrets. Not down here at least." Jan looked at her curiously as a wide smile spread across Elizabeth's face. Jan soon joined her when she pointed up stairs. Both women rushed from the room the closet now forgotten in the excitement in the treasures waiting to see the light. Neither was paying attention in their haste and nearly ran over Ryan, Clayton, and Elliot. Ryan and Clayton steadied Elizabeth and Jan when they came to an abrupt stop. Elliot stood in the middle of the hallway legs and arms spread wide trying to protect Addison as she leaned around him trying to see what the commotion was. Elizabeth looked around at the three-ring circus going on in the hallway wondering what everyone was doing there that early. Right about then Jenny came out of the kitchen with a basket of fresh muffins in hand catching the attention of Addison. Mason came out next baring hot cups of coffee he placed on a small folding table they had set up for breakfast.

"What is all of this?" Elizabeth asked looking for an answer but not talking to anyone in particular. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Jan draped an arm across Elizabeth's shoulders pulling her close.

"It's a kickoff." Still confused Elizabeth looked around in bewilderment. This looked more like an impromptu party then the start of a day to her. Jan chuckled and shook her head. Jenny sighed in exasperation as she placed the food onto the table.

"The guys volunteered to take a day off to help clear out the rest of the attic while you guys worked through stuff. Mason and I still have to work today unfortunately so we came to do what we could until then. I have the breakfast shift so after I set up here, I'll be heading out. Mason will be here until nine then he's got to go to the parish."