Chapter Text
“Take deep breaths and concentrate on something pleasant.” That is what I am supposed to do when I feel anxious. I suppose it would work if thoughts didn’t keep flooding into my mind constantly.
The bar at Portland International Airport seemed friendly enough, but I was having trouble concentrating enough to lift my drink to my lips. Deep breathing didn’t help.
I pulled a flyer out of my bag and read it
Blackwell Academy
Arcadia Bay, Oregon.
Grand Reopening
Special guest: Maxine Caulfield
Artist in residence, Caledon University.
I squirmed. Arcadia Bay was the last place I wanted to be. I remembered the choice I made that destroyed a town. Would have been better to visit my mom and dad in Seattle instead. But after I finished my drink, I headed towards the car rental agency.
Blackrock contacted me and asked me to be a part of their reopening celebration. I could have easily told them that too much was going on at Caledon to take time off, only there were things that happened there I needed time away from, and maybe there was some other reason I accepted the request.
Ok, no matter what happens I will not use any powers. I am an artist, and I am only here to please Ms. Grant, the new principal.
My stomach tightened as I passed the sign. “Another Great Day in Arcadia Bay.” The original sign survived the storm. They replaced it with a new aluminum sign. Wanna bet the old sign lasted longer than the new one will? I know a survivor when I see one.
I found myself in front of Blackwell Academy, all shiny and new, none of it using Prescott money. There was a Crisis Counseling service next to the school. I wish it had been there for Kate when she needed it. On the other side of campus was the hotel where I had reservations.
“Wowsers,” I said. It looked as if nothing ever happened to Arcadia Bay.
I checked in and went to my room. Everything was being paid by Blackwell. The event would be tomorrow night, but the room is paid up for 5 days. That will give me time to see what Arcadia Bay had become.
I was about to do some work for tomorrow night when the phone rang. It was Amanda.
“Hey Caulfield, did you make it to where you were going?”
“Yes, you would love it here. Blackwell is paying for all my expenses.”
“Freeloading huh? Nice work if you can get it.”
“I am not freeloading. Some of my photographs will be on display. You know I am not comfortable on stage.”
“Don’t give me that. You know you want your photos to be seen by the world. Max, you are just a closet extrovert.”
“Am not.”
“Am so.”
“Am not.”
“Then why are you there?”
Amanda. What a sweet, and sassy girl. I could care about her, but she has some issues. So do I. Too many things happened. We’re sort of on hold.
The other night I watched X-Men 3, the one where Rogue takes The Cure so she could safely hold a boy without harming him. I wish I could get rid of my powers. Maybe I could have saved Chloe without them, no storm, Joyce and the others still alive.
I went to Caledon to get away from everything, but it keeps following me around. Here I am, back where it all started. The Miranda Inn had an excellent restaurant menu. The eggs and bacon looked delicious, but I chose hotcakes instead.
I had a nightmare last night. The nightmares had started to settle down since arriving at Caledon. It was an excellent opportunity to develop my own artistic style while being in contact with the art community. This was a new one.
No waking up screaming, but I was crying. It wasn’t finding myself in the Darkroom with Jefferson, nor was it watching Arcadia Bay being reduced to rubble by the storm I caused. It was Chloe kissing me and telling me she loved me. And having to wake up to the reality we were no longer together.
I looked at the main entrance to Blackwell. It looked different from the way it did 10 years ago, but not enough. For a second I imagined I was walking into the mouth of a dragon. Let’s see, a close shot of the door, upward angle from ground level to make it look huge and menacing.
Ms. Grant welcomed me into her office.
“Max, good to see you again. You were one of my best students. I am so sorry about all the bad experiences you had. However, it seems you are in a good position at Caledon.”
Max, we received your photos and followed your instructions. Everything is set up for tonight.”
“Thank you. I am glad you survived the storm.”
“We have a shelter in the basement. Most of the students and faculty that were on campus weren’t seriously harmed.”
“How did Arcadia Bay get the money to rebuild?”
“Disaster funds mostly, but there were many former students who loved Blackwell and wanted to see it better than it was. The wonderful thing was that Prescott left. I guess He didn’t want any of his association with the psychopath Jefferson discovered.”
I checked backstage. Everything was as I requested. I thought it would be easier to overnight ship my photos to Blackwell than it would be to take them on the plane.
Leaving Principal Grant’s office, Max noticed the office across the hall. “Counseling”.
“Max, she is available Tuesdays and Thursdays for Blackwell students and any other time at the Crisis center. She’s also on call for emergencies.”
Was it possible that Arcadia Bay was better than it was before the storm?
I walked back to the hotel when I saw her coming in the opposite direction. It was Kate Marsh. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. She looked different from the friend I knew 10 years ago.
Her hair was down on her shoulders. She was not wearing the minimizer bra she always wore at Blackwell, and the most noticeable thing, she walked with a confident step.
“Kate, you look great,” I said
“So do you, Max. I was hoping to see you while you were here.”
“Is there any place we could go talk?
“Sure Max.”
I was puzzled. Kate walked to the main entrance of Blackrock. She turned and unlocked the Counsoler’s office.
“I’m a licensed counsoler Max. I work with Dr. Masters at the Crisis Center, but I am here twice a week.] for the students.
My jaw dropped open. I couldn’t believe this was the Kate that had been bullied by Victoria Chase.
“How did you …?
“The night of the storm. The hospital I was at was not in the direct path of the storm but there was significant damage , and it was being evacuated. There was this small girl crying. No one was available to help. I wrapped a blanket around her, and I stayed with her until the responders from Tillamook, Bay City, and Portland arrived.”
Later I told Dr. Haynes about the girl. She was pleased. I told her I wanted to learn to help people. My family had other wishes for me, but I convinced them this was God’s will. I got my Masters and my license in Portland. My first thought I had was to return to Acadia Bay and make myself available for Blackwell student’s”
“That is wonderful, Kate.”
There were a few hours before my presentation. Kate said she would be there, and we could talk afterwards. I needed to be alone for a bit.
There were two places I needed to visit before I would accept the storm had been the godsend it seemed to be, washing away the influence of the Prescotts and turning Kate Marsh into someone who could take care of herself and others.
I wasn’t surprised all traces of the Two Whales Diner were gone, replaced by a franchise restaurant. Of course, what I missed was Joyce.
The lighthouse seemed to be drawing me up the steps, to the place I made the decision to save Chloe. Guardrails had been erected so no one would fall, unintentionally or deliberately.
I looked out over the bay. Everything was calm and peaceful, but I knew that could be a deception. Storms can sometimes appear in an instant.
It was time. There were other presenters. Now it was my turn. I was anxious walking on the stage. I calmed and started to enjoy the presentation I was giving. Perhaps Amanda was right. The crowd was pleased and so was Ms Grant.
After the presentation I took Kate to my room and ordered a salad and a glass of wine for both of us. Kate told me about her work as a therapist and the sadness she sometimes felt for her clients.
I told Kate about my work at Caladon, teaching and staying in touch with other artists. I also mentioned a certain barista.
“What ever happened to Chloe Price? I seem to remember you two were very close.”
“Uh, it’s complicated. Very complicated.”
“Max, you saved my life. I am your friend and if there is anything I can do…
I looked at Kate. My eyes started to water.
“It was my fault. I caused the breakup.”