The alarm clock began its rude awakening at 5 am. Petey stretched under the warm blankets and reached behind her head to silence the alarm. The strong aroma of coffee brewing in the coffeemaker enticed her to throw back the covers and venture from the cozy confines into the chilly kitchenette of the camper. A steaming mug of coffee in hand, she sat down at the small table where her laptop was set up. She tucked one thermal clad leg beneath her and rested her chin atop her knee while she waited for the computer to boot up. A quick check online showed that she had an e-mail from her mother. Reluctantly she opened the electronic letter. Dear Petra: Darling your stepfather and I were so hoping that you will be joining us at the summer house at Martha's Vineyard in May. We should be back from Italy by the second week at the very latest. Of course you are more than welcomed to bring one of your quaint friends to stay also. I understand from Marion Hornsby that she will be hosting a huge gathering the first weekend of June. You do remember Marion don't you dear. Her son Rodney is the Senator's legal advisor. Everyone will be there. It will be the event of the season. I must dash off darling. We are leaving to go to the Opera. Please let me know what day you will be arriving so that I can have Hilda prepare your old room. Love Mother Petey winced at the thought of spending two months with her mother and the most recently inducted stepfather. What was this number... four..no, five. His name escaped her for the moment. He was just another collected ornament of her mother's. It had become a hobby of sorts with her mother. Acquiring husbands and divorce settlements. Much like stock trading. No a month, a week, a day or even an hour at the summer home was out of the question. Petey had planned to slip home while her mother was still in Italy to see Hilda. It was Hilda who always knew where she was and how to get a hold of her if necessary. Her mother only had her e-mail address and her cell phone number. Petey wrote a brief e-mail back declining the invitation. She promised she would be in touch later in the spring for a short visit. The time and place were left nebulous. It seemed to work out better for the two of them if there was not a rigid plan in place. No disappointments that way for either of them. A quick glance at the luminous hands of her watch set her in motion. Petey logged off the laptop and gathered the coffee mug and padded back to the bedroom. It was time to start her morning routine. Shower, dressing, bagel, more coffee. Simple. Quick. Efficient. This was Petey. She tried very hard to lead an uncomplicated life. So out the door she went, ready to face another Labinky Park Day……and she had a date with a sunrise….. Click on the River to Continue to Chapter 11 © Labinky Park 2008 Labinky Enterprises 2008 |
Chapter 10
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