One Small Island

Chapter 7 New Beginnings

"Eddie" he screamed running toward her car with arms flung open. "Oh my God it feels like forever." Then he stopped and peered into the car at her. A sullen expression crossed his lovely face. "You're not wearing sweatpants! This wasn't an emergency!"

"OK so maybe I exaggerated things a bit." she admitted "But I do have a case of Veuve Cliquot waiting for you at home." She said knowing he wouldn't be able to remain angry for long.

"Le Grande Dame?" He asked.

"Go big or go home." She laughed. "So, what's keeping you? Hop in!"

Tyler's bright smile returned. He tossed his carry on bag into the back seat and slid in next to Edina. He wrapped his white silk scarf around his neck, adjusted his aviator sunglasses and said "Let's go. Hit the gas." 

As they drove through little villages the houses began getting larger and larger as they approached Osterville. By the time they'd reached the estates of South Main Street, Tyler's nose was pressed to the window. Edina found herself viewing things anew through his eyes. This really was a magical place she had to admit. Even in the depths of winter with drifts of snow covering the beautiful flowers and shrubbery.

As they rolled into the village Edina pulled in to the small lot next to the fishmongers. "I'll be right back." She said and returned moments later with a large carrier bag that had one end of a baguette sticking out. "Thought I'd make us a big pot of mussels for dinner. How does that sound?" she said.

"Divine!" Tyler cooed then his head swiveled around taking in the small shops along the Main Street. "I can't believe this place Eddie! This is gorgeous! How is it that you've never once invited me up here?" he said.

"Good Lord, I almost never come here myself." She said as they drove on soon approaching the little guards house marking the entrance to Scallop Bays.

"Is that a real windmill?" Tyler asked.

Edina laughed. "Now you're getting ridiculous. That's just for looks. It's the symbol of the club or something. It's all over the merchandise in the golf shop." The guard waved them through and again Tyler's nose was pressed to the window but even harder this time as they moved down to Grand Island Boulevard.

He turned to her "These are the most beautiful homes that I have ever seen in my life. Who the hell lives here the President?"

Eddie pulled into her driveway and, as if on cue, Tyler gasped. Though it wasn't nearly as large as many of the grand houses on the island, Eddie's low-slung Gray shingled home was every bit as elegant and beautiful as one would expect from a lifestyle guru such as herself.

"I think the better question is who doesn't live here?" Edina said. She pointed to the homes across the street which lined the water. "Up there is a Wall Street tycoon. To the left of him is a Silicon Valley billionaire and a few homes up I think there's a Saudi. But I don't think any of them are here in the winter. If they're anywhere it's probably St Barths or maybe Aspen." She removed Tyler's bag from the back seat and began to walk toward the door.

"Well who is here? I want to meet the rich and famous." He whined.

Edina stopped and looked at him. "I thought you were here to see me." She said petulantly.

"Oh I am Eddie." Tyler said seriously. "But who else might I run into while we visit?"

Edina laughed and pointed to the house across the street. "They own some chain of Gas Stations and next door to me is some artist. I forget his name- isn't really famous in his own right- married an heiress or something. Tomorrow we can take a walk and I'll give you the grand tour."