Chapter Five: The Trip of a Lifetime

Carrie got her things packed in record time. She called Lea and left a message on her machine. She strategically called her at home so that she would not have to explain to her too. She called her parents because she knew they would be checking in and didn’t want them to worry. And then she dialed Jon’s number. His work was unpredictable, and she didn’t know where he would be today. His machine picked up and she waited patiently while she listened to his message, her heart giving a little flutter like it always did when she heard his voice.

“Jon, it’s me. I am sorry things went they way they did last night. I am going to go stay in Martha’s Vineyard for a while. I need some time. I need to do some soul searching. I am not sure if there is a phone there, but I will take my cell, if you need or want to talk to me. I will be fine. Raymond has the address; it’s his friend’s place and they need someone to watch over it for a while. I guess that’s all I have to say, but I love you and please wait for me.”

Carrie was sobbing by the time she hung up the phone. It was not an easy call to make, swallowing your pride had to be the worst thing you had to do in this world. At least, it felt like it at that moment.

She surveyed her room and all she had packed. “I think I have everything, and what I forgot I can buy there. Well, here goes nothing.” She picked up her bags and walked out the door making sure it was locked behind her. Carrie wondered why she felt like she was stepping out into the unforeseen.

She stopped at Raymond’s office. He was out to lunch, but his secretary had the keys and the map for her. It wouldn’t be a long drive to Massachusetts. Carrie couldn’t wait to get there and explore! Her father, being a Civil War buff, had instilled in her a love of history and a love of treasure hunting. She liked to go to old houses and take a tour. She loved to search for antiques and revel in the glory of a real bargain. She loved to photograph battlefields and houses and all things historical. It was her hobby, one that she shared with her dad. It allowed them to spend time together.

As she predicted the drive to Massachusetts was not very long, three hours and many toll bridges later and she was rolling into town.  She passed the stately manors, the gated estates and let her excitement get the best of her. Carrie was no naïve schoolgirl, but still, an island full of celebrities was something to revel in. She was enjoying the scenery so much that she barely noticed the time and it wasn’t until her stomach let out a very loud rumble that she remembered that she had not eaten at all. Stopping in at a quaint little restaurant to give her eyes a rest and find her bearings, she sidled up to the counter and sat down.

“Can I help you dahling?” asked the waitress with her strong New England accent.

“What’s good?” Carrie asked, barely giving the menu a glance.

“Well, confidentially, if you want good, it ain’t on our menu, but the soup is pretty tasty, and the burgers are a bit of all right.”

Carrie smiled at the buxom bleached-blonde woman standing before her as the waitress popped her gum and winked at her. Carrie wasn’t sure if it was done for affect or not, but the manners, the words, the easy-going personality of this person made her feel as though she had stepped back in time about fifty years. “You know I think I would love a burger with the works and a vanilla shake to go with it!”

The friendly waitress smiled at Carrie, “Well, now I like a girl who knows her mind and ain’t afraid to eat like a human! I’ll bring it right up.”

Carrie glanced around the room for the first time since walking in. There were a few couples at the tables around the room enjoying a quiet lunch together. At a few of the tables were seated businessmen, reveling in the beautiful day and lingering a little later at lunch then was necessary. An old man sat at the end of the counter opposite her and was intently staring Carrie found his look a little disconcerting and abruptly turned away. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the jukebox, obviously well used by the locals. It was a modern-day version of the originals. Carrie hopped down off the stool and walked over to it, her eyes taking in the flashing lights and the buttons pressed more often than others. She searched for a song among the countless titles and finally settled on a vintage number about young lovers. The couples leaned in a little closer at their tables, the businessmen looked around in yearning, The old man seemed lost in memories and Carrie just shook her head. The power of a song was absolutely amazing.

Buffy, the waitress, caught her attention with a wave of her hand. Carrie smiled and was more ravenous than she thought when she eyed the juicy burger and the delectable milkshake sitting on the counter. She returned to her seat and dove into her food like a kid in a candy store. Buffy talked her into a piece of homemade apple pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream after her lunch. Carrie thought she would bust at the seams, but she couldn’t resist. It felt sinful, and it was a delectable treat to splurge on. The lunchtime crowd was waning, and Buffy struck up a conversation with Carrie for lack of better things to do.

“I haven’t seen you around here before and your accent ain’t a bit like ours. Where are you from?”

Carrie smiled. She liked the easy-going nature. So much different then she would have found back home. “I’m from Philadelphia, and today marks the first time I have been here.”

“Are you here for business, pleasure, searching for a hubby, or maybe getting over one?”

“Mostly business, a little vacation, and not really getting over a hubby, but trying to decide if I want one.”

“I knew I liked you girlie. You are an independent freethinking woman! Don’t go racing into a marriage like I did and regretting it later.”

“Oh, I am sorry, you’re not with your husband any longer?”

“Hell, no honey! I ain’t with any of the five anymore.”

Carrie just shook her head in amazement and moved onto what she hoped would be a better topic. “Can you tell me where I could find Harbor’s Point Drive?”

“Why sure that’s real easy, in fact I’ll write it down for you so that you’ll be able to find it.”  And Carrie thanked Buffy as she disappeared into the kitchen in search of a pad of paper.

The old man was still sitting across from her and still staring. Carrie was starting to get really annoyed. The man was so creepy and silent. Finally, she could not take it anymore, the frustrations of the past few days were boiling up inside of her.

“Can I help you old man?” she asked bluntly, trying to ward him off with her curtness.

He chuckled and shook his head. He put his money on the counter and started to walk away but turned as he got to the door. “It is no accident, they chose you,” was all he said as he turned and walked away.

Now what in the hell did he mean by that? Carrie wondered but had no more time to ponder as Buffy came back with the map. She thanked her, promised to come back, and left a generous tip before exiting the restaurant. She got in her car and started on her brand-new adventure.