On the west side of town, Mayor Caster cut the ribbon at the opening of the new recreation center, and the Sunset Bowling Parlor is once again in operation. Check their website for tickets to Neon Midnight Bowling this New Year’s Eve.
Over the summer, there were whispers of the Midnight Theater being sold to hometown boy and A-list actor Matt Knight. Keep up with theGazettefor breaking news.
We should never give up on ourselves or as a town. Moving past pain and hurt requires fortitude, but we have Immanuel, God with us, to see us through.
TheGazettewill continue its mission to beyourmicrolocal news source. We’re excited to welcome our new advertising director, Edwin, who brings thirty years of experience after retiring from theTallahasseeDemocrat. Rex, Jane, Junie, Gayle, Tobias, and I are dedicated to bringing you stories and news about you and our town.Stories from the Archiveswill continue, as well as columns from middle and high school students.
On this New Year’s Eve, reflect on the good. Set aside fear. Embrace love in whatever season you’re traveling. If you get too blue, stop by the Sands Motor Motel, where Delilah Mead makes music every Thursday and Friday night. You can swing by the Starlight and strap on a pair of skates. Perhaps stroll past the town mural on the side of Doyle’s Auto Shop and take a moment with our history. Take a moment with Immanuel.
We live by the sands of Sea Blue Beach. Aren’t we blessed?
* * *
When she left the paper, she walked east, down Sea Blue Way toward Doyle’s and the sounds and lights of the carnival.
She was late, and Caleb waited for her at the Sands. They were spending New Year’s Eve at the carnival, dining on cheap pizza and funnel cake. But on this crisp, clear, starry night, she ached for a moment at the mural.
Sea Blue Way was unusually quiet. Lately, folks had started referring to it as Old Sea Blue Way. The success of the Main Street initiative introduced locals and tourists alike to the beauty of the old downtown. The decks of the Blue Plate and the Fish Hook were probably overflowing tonight. Christmas lights glowed down the street from Mr. Po’s, One More Cup, and Sweet Conversations. Every one of them ran half-page New Years’ Celebration ads in theGazette.
Emery arrived at the mural, pausing to study the images, seeing herself fitting into the story of this seaside town. When she gazed up at Immanuel, she felt immediately satisfied. Her lingering questions dissipated.
“Look, I don’t really know you,” she said. “Delilah says you’re the real deal. But I think you’ve wanted me here from the beginning. Especially the night I learned about Mom.” Emery drew a long, contented breath. “Thank you.”
The clang of the carnival caused her to look around. Then Caleb texted.
Caleb:
ETA?
Emery:
5 min.
“We’ll be talking in the new year, Immanuel,” she said as she started down Avenue C.
The confession she didn’t write about in her New Years’ column was that she loved Caleb Ransom. Kisses were no longer enough. She finally said the words “I love you.”
After breaking down the wall between her and Joanna, she changed. She could love Mom and Joanna. She could love Ava, Elianna, and Blakely freely. So she let her fears go to love Caleb with every fiber of her being.
The Sands’ courtyard came into view with its string of lights wafting in the breeze, the courtyard Christmas tree twinkling, the firepit crackling. Caleb sat in one of the Adirondacks.
“Hey, babe.” Emery dropped her bag to the ground and slid over the arm of the chair into his lap. “I’m starved. Let’s go eat some junk food.”
“All done with your column?” He cupped his hand around her neck and drew her in for a kiss.
“Finally. Rex and his red pen, sheesh. I might have to fire him.”
Caleb laughed. Everyone in Sea Blue Beach knew she’dneverfire Rex. “What will you do in two weeks when he’s on his honeymoon?”
“Oh, I plan to send him my articles anyway.” She planted her smiling lips on Caleb’s. “With my luck, they’ll get the bug to start up his travel blog again, and he’ll resign.” Rex had proposed to the girl he’d known since middle school in July and would marry her later this month.
The players for the guitar pull began to circle up, chatting, plucking, and tuning.
Emery stood and grabbed Caleb’s hand. “Come on, let’s ride the Ferris wheel.”
CALEB
Emery Quinn stole his thunder, suggesting the Ferris wheel and racing to the carnival, passing the ticket booth because he’d purchased tickets while she finished her column. Families, teens, and senior citizens mobbed the thoroughfare while Christmas lights joined the neon colors of the carnival rides.
