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CALEB

New Year’s Eve

Coming back to Sea Blue Beach, as it turned out, changed his life.

Ransom Architecture was well on its way, having finished the Alderman’s Pharmacy refurbishment and two of the Org.

Homestead houses. Jenny Finch managed to get both the pharmacy and the Florida Cracker homes featured in Historic magazine, which opened the door to a half dozen consulting jobs.

The ?ster home at Preserve on the Bay, still under construction, was going to be a showpiece.

However, between the design and high-end materials, Mrs. ?ster claimed she’d rather just look at it than live in it.

Until Caleb gave her a bit of advice. “A home needs love , or it’ s not a home.

This place can handle your noise , your dirt , and your mess.

” He received a thank-you text from Mr. ?ster that night with ten exclamation points.

Mac Diamond audaciously came around with another offer. Caleb turned it down. Golf course clubhouses were not his brand. Instead, he partnered with Bobby and Wren to restore the Sunset Bowling Parlor.

Cassidy and Bentley moved out in the fall when she got a West End job. She rented a place behind the Starlight Museum, so technically, she was an East Ender—but folks were using the terms less and less.

Bentley loved Valparaiso Middle School and was on the first-ever pickleball team, which meant Caleb now played pickleball three nights a week.

On this New Year’s Eve, he’d just showered and dressed when he heard Cassidy calling from the kitchen.

“Caleb? Mom said to put the New Year’s ham in your fridge.

Wow, do you ever grocery shop? How did my kid gain ten pounds living with you?

” He walked in as she shoved the ham on the fridge’s top shelf.

“This thing could feed the neighborhood. So, what are you doing for New Year’s? ”

“Meeting Emery at the Sands. Then we’re going to the Fantastic Carnival.”

“What? You’re taking the love of your life to a carnival on New Year’s Eve?” She didn’t bother to hide her incredulity as she propped against the counter. “You riding the Ferris wheel?”

“Never mind me and the Ferris wheel. What are you doing tonight? Playing Minecraft with Bentley and going to bed at ten thirty?”

“Please? Bent and I are way more hip.” She’d cut her hair since coming home, wore normal clothes, and sometimes attended church.

Her Etsy shop with feathers and fringe was still doing well.

“He’s skating at the Starlight, and I’m going to the guitar pull at the Sands’ courtyard.

” She gripped his arm with both hands. “Why don’t you and Emery stay?

Forget the carnival. Please? Share a glass of wine with me. ”

“I’ll talk to Emery,” Caleb said. “Not a bad idea.”

“Really?”

No, but it’d get her out the door. He had other plans for tonight, and they did not involve a guitar pull with the Sands’ g uests and strangers from the Beachwalk. What Cassidy didn’t know was she’d be at the carnival too.

“Hey, I’m making a New Year’s resolution for you.” Cassidy gripped his face in her hands, then pointed to the living room. “Unpack those stupid boxes.”

Happy New Year, Sea Blue Beach

By Emery Quinn Editor-in-Chief

Happy New Year! Sitting in my creaky editor-in-chief chair, which I love, I’m filled with gratitude.

A year ago, when Elliot Kirby offered me a job in the town where I’d learned my mother was dying, my first response was no. It was not how I wanted to start the next year of my life. But as I watched my younger sister say yes to a new adventure—marriage—the slight competitor in me stepped up.

Not quite 365 days later, we’ve made it—you, me, the Gazette , and Sea Blue Beach.

But not without our struggles. Newspapers without ads.

Threats of the West End becoming its own municipality.

Discussion of bulldozing the Org. Homestead.

Then an incredible visit from the House of Blue, only to have it trashed by a long-standing East-West rivalry.

Yet, in the aftermath, we took a deeper look at ourselves. We asked questions. Why are we divided East versus West? Where does history end and progress begin? Where does prosperity destroy our past, our story?

Meanwhile, under Mayor Simon Caster’s and architect Caleb Ransom’s leadership, the Main Street initiative brought new businesses into town.

Be sure to stop by Read It Again, Sam, a new and used bookstore, the Artist Corner, and Knit One, Pearl Two with Adele.

Doyle’s Auto Shop opened in the fall, serving craft beer and hosting live music.

I love how the owners kept the name to preserve history.

A lderman’s Pharmacy completed its restoration in time for the holidays and opened as a lunch and soda fountain the day after Thanksgiving. The upstairs recently rented to a restorative massage therapy practice.

A generous donation from the House of Blue brought restoration to the Org.

Homestead. These homes will provide affordable housing to our citizens.

Two are now occupied—one by a retired couple, another by a young family.

More homes in the neighborhood will begin restoration in the new year.

This week we learned of a very generous contribution to the royal foundation by the Nickle family.

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 the Gazette for 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.

The Gazette will continue its mission to be your microlocal news source.

We’re excited to welcome our new advertising director, Edwin, who brings thirty years of experience after retiring from the Tallahassee Democrat .

Rex, Jane, Junie, Gayle, Tobias, and I are dedicated to bringing you stories and news about you and our town.

Stories from the Archives will 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 the Gazette .

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’d never fire 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.”

C ALEB