Lighthouse - Part 2
by Katy
copyright©2001

Anne and John arrived shortly after they arrived back at the house. The next several hours were spent getting them settled and visiting. John had brought steaks to grill for dinner. While the men were busy on the deck grilling and planning their fishing trip, Anne and Becky fixed the rest of the dinner. Anne was known for her baking and she had brought several coffee cakes, cookies and a great pie for dessert.

Anne had finished the salad and wiped her hands and removed her apron. "I’m so glad you invited us here. John didn’t want to take a vacation this year, and he really needed to get away. Rob’s invitation was the only thing that changed his mind. Their fishing trip is just the medicine he needs to relax and forget the stress of work."

Becky felt bad remembering how awful she had behaved when Rob told her he had invited them. She knew that John was under a lot of pressure at work. He had taken over Townsend Investments after Rob’s father died. Technically Rob was the owner, but in fact took very little interest in it. All the day-to-day decisions fell to John. He was doing a wonderful job. The company was prospering, but put a lot of stress on John. Rob knew this and insisted he take off and come with them.

"Anne, I know he needs this vacation. Rob promised they would only be gone one day. The rest of the time we can do anything we want. We have to decide what we want to do the day they’re gone." Becky took off her apron and grabbed some beer from the refrigerator and a bottle of wine. "Let’s see what the master chef’s are up to."

"I think a day of shopping and a wonderful lunch would be great. I saw some fantastic antique shops listed in the next town. You should be able to find lots of neat things there for the house." Anne smiled and the gleam in Becky’s eye. She knew only too well Becky’s penchant for shopping and Rob’s feelings on budgets.

"Oh that sounds great, and I don’t have a budget. Well within reason." Becky handed Rob and John a beer and she and Anne sat and enjoyed the sunset.

The sun was almost gone when they finished dinner. Anne was leaning on the deck rail looking out at the ocean. "Hey John, I thought they were going to take that lighthouse down? I see it is still there."

Rob groaned. He figured Becky had probably forgotten about it by this time. As soon as Anne mentioned the lighthouse, Becky was all ears. "Have you ever been there Anne? I think it is so mysterious looking. Wouldn’t it be fun to see it?"

"Rebecca, didn’t I tell you to forget it?" Rob’s voice had that serious tone Becky knew only too well.

"Oh okay." Becky sat back down next to Rob and squeezed his hand. "All forgotten."

Somehow Rob knew better than that.

The conversation drifted back to the plans for the week. Wednesday appeared to be the best day for fishing. Clear weather was predicted and after making a few phone calls, the guys had reservations for a charter. They would have to leave at 5:00 a.m. and wouldn’t be home until 8:00 p.m. that night.

"You girls can have the side dishes all ready, and we will supply the fresh fish for a nice late dinner." John and Rob were really into their plans. As she fell asleep that night Becky was planning her Wednesday as well.

The next day was overcast, misty and cool. Not a good day for the beach. Rob and John were both runners and left before breakfast to get a nice long run in. Anne and Becky sat and drank coffee in the living room watching them disappear into the distance.

"Anne, I have a great idea for how to spend Wednesday. I hope you don’t mind, but it doesn’t involve shopping all day." Becky was full of energy at the thought of her plan.

"What Becky? I am game for most anything. After all there won’t be anyone around to tell us not to." Anne laughed knowing Becky was up to something.

"You mentioned the lighthouse last night. I talked to Rob about it and he of course was against trying to go out to it. But we can rent a boat in town. Rob and I did last year. I know how to run it, and we could go out there and investigate. I could get some good sketches to use later. They won’t be around and will never know. Are you game?" Becky sat on the edge of her chair waiting for Anne’s response.

Anne was taken back a bit at the thought. "Oh Becky, I don’t know. I heard Rob tell you to forget it last night. I don’t want them mad at us. John has a rather unique way of showing his displeasure."

"Do you mean he spanks you?" Becky giggled. "Rob spanked me before we were ever married. I have felt his displeasure up close and personal way too often."

Anne was stunned into silence then broke out laughing. "Oh Becky, I thought John was the only one who did that. No wonder they are such good friends, they are way too much alike."

"Well, what do you think?" Becky really wanted Anne to go with her.

"Okay, I’m in, but we better have some shopping to show for the day, or they are going to be awfully suspicious. John says it is dangerous out there. That’s why they closed it and were going to tear it down. I don’t know why they haven’t."

Before the men returned Becky called and arranged for a motorboat for Wednesday morning. They were all set.

The next two days were spent relaxing and exploring the town when the weather allowed. Tuesday afternoon the clouds lifted and they were able to spend some time on the beach. By this time everyone was relaxing and enjoying the visit. The girls spent every minute they could whispering about their adventure on Wednesday. An early evening was planned so Rob and John could get off bright and early the next morning. Becky was having trouble concealing her excitement at the prospect of exploring the lighthouse.

The sun hadn’t come up yet the next morning when the alarm went off. Rob shut it off and quietly showered and dressed. Becky was awake and stretched out in the bed. She didn’t want to seem anxious to have him leave.

"I’m leaving Hon, you have a nice day. We’ll be back for dinner. Behave yourself and don’t buy too much. Love you." Rob kissed her on the forehead.

"Love you too. Have fun." Becky rolled over and pretended to go back to sleep. As soon as she heard the car leave she was up and in the shower. Anne was up and ready when Becky reached the kitchen.

"Let’s head into town and have breakfast. Then we can do a bit of shopping and be at the boat rental by 10:30 when it opens." Becky had thought a lot about the plans.

"Fine with me, I could use a nice breakfast before our adventure." Anne grabbed her purse and they were off.

By 10:30 they had purchased enough items to convince the guys they shopped and had a long leisurely breakfast. Both of them were trembling with excitement when they reached the rental.

"Hi, I’m Mrs. Townsend and I reserved a boat for today." Becky greeted the man in the rental shed.

"I have it all ready for you. Just sign here." He pushed some rental documents toward her and took her credit card. "Oh, I have to warn everyone about one thing. The Coast Guard prohibits any sea traffic within 100 feet of the lighthouse. Big fine if you get caught violating it. Where you ladies off to today? You don’t look like fisherman."

Anne almost died when he asked. Becky was quick with a response. "Oh we’re going to Seaside to visit some friends. We should be back by early afternoon; it’s just a quick trip. Thought it would be fun to go by boat. Surprise them."

The answer seemed to satisfy the man, he made a note on the agreement then took them to the boat. He explained the motor’s operation quickly and made sure they had on their life preservers. He was back in his shed as they putted out to the breakwall. The hum of the motor made conversation difficult. Becky was steering but as soon as they were in open water turned to Anne and motioned to her to come closer. "I think we will head up the coast a bit in case he is watching, then come back to the lighthouse on the back side. Sneak up on it."

The sun was shining brightly and the air in their faces felt great. Becky headed up the coast for about a half hour then turned around. The water was calm and it was an easy ride. She slowed down as they approached the lighthouse. She could see the rocky shoals nearby and the last thing they needed was to get grounded on one. "Anne, do you know if there is a clearing some where, we can get right up to it?"

"I think it should be around here somewhere. I remember seeing a dock once." Anne pointed to a protrusion on the left in front of them. "I think that may be it."

Becky saw it and steered for it. The dock was indeed still there. This was just too tempting. Becky pulled up along side of it and cut the motor. Anne could read her mind. "I don’t think we better go up there. It really may not be safe."

Becky thought for all of two seconds. She was so close she just had to see it. "Oh we will be careful, come on. We are too close not to take advantage of this." She started anchoring the boat to the pier. Before Anne could protest too much more, Becky was out and standing on the dock.

Both girls climbed up the walk to the lighthouse. The wind seemed so much stronger up here than it did in the boat. They found a door to the lighthouse and were surprised to find it open. The door had been padlocked, but it lay broken on the ground. "Someone else has been here not too long ago." Anne whispered.

Becky was feeling a bit spooked but didn’t want Anne to know. She grabbed her hand and pushed open the door dragging both of them inside. It was cold and damp inside the stone walls. All the furniture had been removed but they could see a fireplace and old coal stove against one wall.

"The living quarters sure weren’t very spacious." Becky walked around the two rooms examining them.

There was another door on the far wall and pushing that open, revealed the stairway up to the light. "Want to climb up and look out?" Becky already was on the first step.

Anne hesitated, but since they were there, they might as well. It took quite a bit longer than they thought to climb up. When they did hit the top, they were surprised to see black clouds gathering fast on the southwest horizon.

"Oh no, a storm is coming, we better get back now." Becky started running down the steps as fast as she could. By the time they walked outside the waves were churning up and rain was falling hard. The wind was almost impossible to walk against.

"Becky, I’m scared. I think we better wait it out." Anne was terrified of getting into the boat with the storm around them.

"We’ll be fine, the breakwall is only a little way away. Once we are in there it will be fine." Becky was pulling her along behind her. Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks.

The pier had broken away in the waves and the boat was drifting toward shore being towed by the pier. They looked at each other in horror. They were trapped.

Click here for Part 3

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