What’s a journey without a side road or wrong turn? Sometimes we see the brightest rainbow or the most breathtaking view by taking a side road. Sometimes it’s the wrong turn that makes the whole journey worthwhile. The ferry trip to Vinalhaven, Maine wasn’t planned. It was at the suggestion of complete strangers that we even went, yet it inspired a story that has been running through my mind ever since. It seems almost daily, another piece of the intricate puzzle falls into place.
In the spirit of research, I made several calls last week and spoke to four helpful Vinalhaven residents. Two worked in the Vinalhaven ferry office, another at the school, and the last in the city offices. One of the ladies in the ferry office mentioned a novel by a local Vinalhaven woman that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise. I still have to talk with the historical society and I still have questions for the fire department and the local deputy.
After a lot of searches I discovered a fun blog by a woman who lives on the island, a sighting blog, an article about their new ferry, and several about lobstering. I found a travel site that posted all kinds of photos. The whole idea of living on this island is fascinating to me and I wish, while I was there, I’d done more exploring.
I’d like to send out a thank you to those who so graciously took some time from their busy day to answer my questions. It was wonderful to talk to each of you.
I’ll be back with more next month, but for now here is a little excerpt from the novel in progress…
She towel dried her curly hair. Since leaving Daunte, she’d stopped straightening it out. She’d also cut its mid-back lengths to just past her shoulders. She’d never liked it that long and hated the time it took to straighten it the way he preferred. She slipped on a pair of jeans and a soft tee, another thing he’d turn his nose up at. He liked her dressed and made up to perfection. You never know whom you might run into, my love. You must always be ready. Well, she couldn’t imagine wearing her designer dresses into Vinalhaven for ice cream and she’d missed the feel of a well-worn pair of jeans.
She pulled open the bedroom curtains and looked out over the harbor. The water was glistening in the early morning sun. It had rained the last two days and she was happy to see the blue cloudless sky. That would be one of the many things she’d have to get used to—gray skies. South Carolina’s winters were fairly mild. She and Autumn would definitely need warmer clothes before cold weather hit the island. Autumn would see her first snowfall this coming winter.
Gretchen’s cell phone beeped with an incoming call and she knew without looking it was Daunte. She’d been rather amiss at answering his calls since they’d arrived. She snatched the phone off the dresser and headed down the stairs. She found she had better coverage in the kitchen and screened in back porch. It was Regina’s day off and Gretchen could see her crouched in her garden, harvesting something that was ready to be eaten. Gretchen felt spoiled since coming home. Every meal had included vegetables from Regina’s garden. Her favorite were tomatoes still warm from the sun.
“Hello.”
“You’re not just going to ignore my calls, mio amore.”
“Calling six times a day is a little excessive and you don’t get to call me that anymore, Daunte. Save it for Jessica.”
“You’ll always be my love. You’re the mother of my beautiful daughter.”
“What do you want so early?”
“I want to talk to that beautiful daughter. How is she?”
“She’s fine. She’s still asleep.”
“And you, mio amore? How are you adjusting to the wilds of Maine?”
“We’re both adjusting just fine to the new life you forced us into.”
“No, mia bellezza, I did not force you into isolation. I did not force you to leave Charleston.”
It was true. Daunte hadn’t wanted them to leave, but Gretchen couldn’t stay, not in the small suburb where she’d run into Daunte and his new mio amore—Except Jessica wasn’t new. Daunte had admitted to them seeing each other for over a year before Gretchen found out.
“I’ll call back when Autumn wakes up.”
“I want to come visit my babies before they start school.”
“Neither Autumn or I are your babies anymore. Your girlfriend is carrying your baby.”
“Why to you have to be so bitter?”
“Really, Daunte? Although you were still married to me, you got your mistress pregnant, while I was teaching children and your daughter was in kindergarten and you want to know why I’m bitter?”
“I’ve told you repeatedly that I’m sorry, baby.”
“Yes, and your apology makes everything all bet—” she stopped suddenly when she heard the kitchen door open. Changing her tone from shaking anger to gentle, she said, “Good morning, sweetie. Come say hello to your daddy.”
She handed the phone to her sleepy daughter and stepped out onto the dewy, grass. Regina was sitting back on her heels, hand shading her eyes as she watched. She’d love to be able to turn to her and say, Mom, please tell me how to fall out of love and stop hurting over my cheating ex-husband. But after the fights she’d over heard between her mom and dad, Regina probably wasn’t the person to ask.
She could hear Autumn’s soft voice carrying over the late summer air and was sure Daunte’s voice was just as gentle. They’d been beautiful to watch, lovely together, her dark adoring eyes and him with a smile that could melt butter. That’s what had first attracted her, his irresistible grin that spoke volumes without him uttering a word.
They met at a fundraiser for the private school she taught at. He’d singled her out and kept her busy with his questions most of the night. They’d gone out the next evening and almost every night after that. He’d taken her to Italy to meet his parents and back again for the wedding. She’d fallen in love with his close family and had been loved by them in return.
His mother still called, telling Gretchen in her broken English that Daunte was a numbskull for throwing such a happy life away. Gretchen could only agree.
“Mama, Daddy wants to talk to you.”
Gretchen put on a happy face before turning to her daughter. “Bunny, why don’t you run and say good morning to Grandma?” When Autumn was out of hearing range, she put the phone to her ear. “Yes.”
“I want to come up for the weekend.”
She lowered her voice. “If you stay in a hotel. And don’t you dare bring Jessica, Daunte.”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, mio amore—”
“And stop calling me that!”