"The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing"
The Lost Chapter

By Liz Clore

________________________

He knew that fuzzy slippers and flannel pajama bottoms were the perfect cure for a lousy day at work. He understood the vital importance of making a wish upon a lost eyelash. He took a Thai cooking class with me, not so we could save money by avoiding takeout, but so that we could bump elbows and giggle while we ignored the head chef's terse instructions. He played the violin during our cat's funeral while I wept and fumbled over the Lord's Prayer. He agreed that flip-flops were the ideal footwear, and that synchronized swimming was obviously the sport of the new millennium.

__________________________

Encounter #1: At a book signing - Archie had edited the book, so I felt obligated to make an appearance. While I was waiting in line for my two seconds with the author, the man behind me was humming "Love In An Elevator" by Aerosmith; good song, yes . . . annoying, yes. I did a half-turn to give him my best Evil Eye stare, but for some reason he seemed able to resist its power. How, I do not know. I did happen to notice, however, that he was sporting an Ani DiFranco T-shirt and a scruffy goatee . . . very interesting.

Encounter #2: Strangely enough, in the elevator of my building. We were both going up. Jezebel insisted on sniffing him, much to my embarrassment. He was unfazed. To draw attention away from the poodle's indiscretion, I mentioned that I hadn't realized Aerosmith was auditioning for a new front man. He, of course, had absolutely no idea what I was referring to and stared at me as if I were a sideshow at the circus. I bet carnies would appreciate my witty banter.
Encounter #3: In the lobby of my building. He was by the mailboxes, and I was shaking the rain off my umbrella. He was actually singing "Love In An Elevator" this time. We rode the elevator to the 12th floor, and he sang the entire time. When he reached the end of the song, he started over again.
Encounter #4: 3 minutes later, outside the front door to my apartment. I was a little frightened when he followed me off the elevator. When we reached my front door, he leaned against the doorframe and remarked that Aerosmith had failed to see his talent. I said that perhaps he should find a new talent, like walking on stilts. He laughed, and I knew the circus folk would welcome him. When he asked if Jezebel and I were hungry, I said yes before I realized he'd asked me a question. Our sandals flip-flopped down the hall in perfect unison.

____________________________

God, I feel like a giggling schoolgirl. Who knew it could be like this?

___________________________

Back in Nantucket for the first time since my childhood. Memories wash over me like a flood, almost leaving me breathless. My father should have been here.
My knees feel weak, like I am sinking into the soft sand. I see myself hand in hand with my father, dragging him down the beach to see the sandcastle I built. I was so proud - it had a moat, towers, everything. It washed away by the time we reached it. If only I had built it a little further from the surf, if only I had tried to show my father a little sooner. Maybe then he could have seen my masterpiece.
I tell him about my castle, and he knows why I'm crying. We sit in silence on the wet sand, letting its softness drip through our fingers. The wind is cold on our skin, but we sit there until morning.

____________________________

Our wedding is small, with only our families present. After the ceremony we picnic on the beach, and my brother makes a toast. He speaks of joy and family and the future. As I listen to his voice over the sound of the waves, I think that maybe my sandcastle didn't wash away after all.