Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,5

looked like a fluffy block of gray cotton about four stories tall, advancing in little wisps and puffs that swirled all around us like smoke.

“I hope you don’t mind fog,” sighed Abby, “Aptos is one of the foggiest spots on the coast.”

“I think you’re forgetting where I just came from,” I teased her with a sideways glance.

Now the dense gray cloud fully encased us and the temperature dipped noticeably. The air was heavy with moisture and smelled of saltwater and seaweed.

“Brrr! Let’s go in and get you settled,” Abby said, rubbing her hands up and down her bare arms.

I was shown to a tiny room with a window looking out onto a jewel-box of a garden. The walls were painted a soothing aqua, a color that Evie favored me in, and I decided to take it as a good omen. A single bed with a white down comforter dominated the room. A fat orange tabby cat slept curled into a ball in the center of the bed, making a crater in the puffy blanket. A tiny desk with a bright blue wooden chair sat in the corner.

There was no closet, but a metal clothes rack on wheels stood against one wall filled with empty hangers. There was a full length mirror mounted opposite the window that reflected the lush plantings outside. My pile of suitcases made the room look even smaller than it already was.

“Charlie!” Abby screeched when she noticed the cat. “I’m sorry Marina, I’ve been trying to keep him out of here, but he seems to think we fixed up the room for him.” Charlie looked up nonchalantly and croaked out a rusty meow.

“I love cats!” I exclaimed. Because of our traveling I had never been allowed a pet of my own. Evie said that her dogs might as well be mine since I was the only other person they liked, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t the same thing. “He’s welcome to sleep in here anytime he wants,” I said, scratching him under his chin. He purred like a jet engine and started to drool a little bit.

“I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” Abby said with an anxious look, “I know you’re probably used to a little more space.”

“It’s perfect,” I said, and I really meant it. The bedroom was small, but it had a cozy feeling.

It was odd, but I had the strangest sensation the room already knew me.

“OK, there are clean towels in the hall closet and I’ll have dinner ready in about half an hour,” Abby beamed. “I’ll leave you to get settled in.” She turned to go, her eyes shimmering with emotion, “It’s really good to have you back.” She closed the door softly.

I began to unpack, feeling more at ease as I settled in. I put my laptop on the desk and plugged it in. Unpacking a box of books and magazines, I made a stack I could reach from my bed. I assembled a portable easel and arranged it in the corner with my art supplies under it, satisfied it would be a good spot to work. Drawing, painting and reading have always been my main pastimes, and being both solitary and portable, they perfectly suit my independent nature and traveler’s lifestyle.

I used my suitcases as drawers, and since Evie had insisted that I take her vintage Louis Vuitton set and they actually looked quite handsome arranged under the metal rack. I stashed my sandals, flats and multiple pairs of boots and pumps under the bed. My shoes alone took up half the room. I hung up all the dresses and jackets I could fit on the rack and left the rest folded in the cases. Charlie the cat yawned and reached out a lazy paw to bat at a stack of purses.

There was a soft knock on the door.

“Um, it’s like, dinnertime Marina.” Cruz’s voice was much deeper than I remembered.

“I’ll be right out,” I called, and hastily threw a cardigan on over the summery tank I had slipped on in the morning. San Francisco seemed like a million miles away.

“I hope you’re okay with vegetarian,” Abby smiled as she pulled out a chair. Even with the fog outside, the yellow kitchen was bright and cheery. The tidy blue tile counter hosted several baskets filled with fresh fruit and summer squash. There was a colorful bouquet of flowers on the table.

“Mom’s gone all vegan on me,” complained Cruz with a roll of his warm brown eyes. “We even had