The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

The next morning, the Larkins load their luggage into the car, along with a hamper of food from Grandmom. Maryellen and I call out and wave as the car pulls away. Grandpop is holding Tom, and Grandmom is holding Mikey. Maryellen calls out that she loves them, and I can see she’s sad to leave her grandparents. It occurs to me that maybe I’m lucky that my grandmother lives with my family. I’ve never thought of it that way before.

The station wagon almost feels too spacious. There’s only Mr. and Mrs. Larkin in the front seat, and Carolyn is still in the back, so Beverly, Maryellen, and I are the only people in the middle. Maryellen gets out her pad and pencils, and I watch while she sketches with impressive ease. With just a few strokes, she can capture a tree or a house, a horse or haystack.

I tell her I don’t know how she does it. Maryellen says probably the same way I get to know constellations. Practice. She says she likes to doodle, just like how I like to look at the stars. We’ve got to figure out a way to get me a telescope. I tell her that telescopes are expensive. So, we have to figure out a way to get a lot of money.

Carolyn suggests that I earn the money. Maryellen says I’m awfully good with kids. Maybe I could babysit or be a mother’s helper. I say maybe. But the problem is, the only little kid I know is Daria. Do I really want to spend time with her?

We drive north and east, out of Georgia and into North Carolina. The names of the towns begin to seem familiar to me. Franklin, Canton, and Clyde. After we pass Asheville, I sit up straighter. I know this road. My stomach ties itself in knots as we pass the Cataloochee ski area. This is my home. And sure enough, there’s a sign that says “Welcome to Cedar Top”. We’re driving through my hometown.

But of course, I remind myself that it’s my hometown, as it was more than sixty years ago, half a century before I was born. Out of the car windows, I see a few buildings that I recognize. The old school, a church, the public library, and a few houses that look familiar. But the town is much smaller and sleepier than the Cedar Top I know.

Mrs. Larkin says it’s a pretty town. It’s only three o’clock, but they’re willing to stop. Should we spend the night here? Carolyn says that she’d like to stop. Maryellen says that she’d like to keep going. Beverly agrees with Maryellen. Mr. Larkin asks me what I think.

What do I think? Part of me is very curious to see what life was like here before I was born. But part of me thinks it might be asking for trouble to stay here. Will I betray the fact that I know the town and confuse the Larkins, who think I’m from New York like my supposed Aunt Betty?