Mercedes was standing outside of her Town & Country Wagoneer with the wood inlaid paneling. It must’ve been on the island for generations. She had inherited it with the house, like the sitting room furniture. The airport at Martha’s Vineyard, in spite of the Island’s resurgence in popularity, is small. Probably too small for the amount of traffic it handles. However, it’s fortunate at a time like this because rarely can anyone come in or out of the terminal without being noticed.
Mercedes reached into the car and honked the horn when she saw Lance emerge from the terminal building. He turned. Mercedes appreciated the way he smiled when he focused in on her. She also appreciated how he wore the tight-fitting summer knit sweater. Mercedes blinked. She wasn’t sure where that thought came from. It had been six months since she had seen Lance and she must admit, she hadn’t remembered him looking this way. Like a man.
"Okay, Bass, I have to warn you...I’m going to give you a hug!" Mercedes says with laughing eyes.
"You better!" Lance replied.
Mercedes gave him a squeeze and said warmly, "Welcome to the Vineyard."
"It’s good to see you," Lance says to her. She throws his flight bag into the back of the car. "This car is a classic!"
"Oh yeah. It came with the house. I think it’s been here since the Mayhews settled this island."
Then she laughed. Lance was overjoyed to hear her laughter. They settled into the brown leather bench seat.
Mercedes asked about the flight, to which Lance replied that he really enjoyed it because the view had been so beautiful flying over from Boston.
"The weather is suppose to be spectacular the next few days. Cool at night, of course. Oh, before we leave the airport grounds, on your right; The Hot Tin Roof!"
"Am I getting the nickel tour?" Lance asked. To which Mercedes nodded.
"Shh! The Hot Tin Roof was originally a restaurant slash club. Then strictly a club, now a club slash restaurant. Carly Simon started that place in the mid-seventies. My older sister Victoria once sneaked into the Hot Tin Roof she was maybe 16. I missed it all, I was maybe three, probably home asleep. James Taylor was playing that night and John Belushi and Dan Ackaroyd were in the audience. For all that history in one building, it’s nothing much to look at from the outside, is it?"
Turning left after she left the airport road, Lance noticed the pine trees and wide bicycle trails. "It’s a lot more rural here than I expected."
"If it’s one thing the locals don’t like it’s handing out building permits! Believe me, it’s built up enough."
They drove past Alley’s bakery/store/post office and then took a left up Middle Road. "If you take a right here, you end up in Menemsha...great fishing/boating. We’re taking a left hand turn, though. Look!" She points out the window, "From here you can see the meadow where my horses are grazing!"
Sure enough, Lance noticed a mare with two folds. Peaceful and lovely. The boundaries of her property were encircled by stone walls. As you go up the drive, there’s an actual windmill on the grounds. Four outbuildings, not including the Windmill, which also had accommodations. One house on the property belongs to the caretakers, Betty and Stanley Serke. There’s a horse barn, a bunkhouse and a guesthouse. Plus, hidden away in a corner of the meadow was a playhouse. An exact replica of the main house itself. As they drove up the gravel drive, Lance could hear a dog barking. There was the most adorable English Springer Spaniel, liver and white, racing up to the driver’s side of the car.
"You have a dog!" exclaimed Lance.
Mercedes laughed. "Oh, you mean the Mag-ster? She’s just a puppy!"
"What’s her name?"
"Maggie, but we call her Mag-pie, and Mag-ster for nicknames."
"Mag-ster as in Napster?" asked Lance.
"Something like that." Mercedes said, and Lance let out a howl.
Mo "Nice old house, huh?" asked Mercedes.
"I can see why you bought it," said Lance.
The two of them entered through the back door. Sure enough, the kitchen was the focal point. Lance placed his flight bag on the floor and Mercedes asked him if he wanted something to eat or if he was thirsty. "I made some sweetened tea."
Lance nodded his head in approval, "You can’t get that in New York, not the way we make it down south. Thanks."
"Well now, you have your choice. You could stay in the guest house. OR you could do me a favor and stay here in the Main House. Don’t freak out on me, but I really think this place IS haunted. I’m kind of hoping you’ll stay in the Main House and see if you hear the same noises I hear." Mercedes anxiously looks to Lance.
Noticing that he says nothing in reply, she quickly adds, "It isn’t Liam’s voice I hear or anything like that. I don’t want you to think I’m nutty again." Lance smiles sincerely.
"Mercedes, I’ve been having some pretty crazy nightmares lately. The reason I didn’t say anything to you right away, is that I thought you’d think I was
kind of going nuts on you if you heard me screaming in the middle of the night. It scares the crap out of Justin. But, maybe I’d scare your ghosts away." Lance laughed, a little nervously.
"Oh what a perfect pair we’ll make !! I’m definitely putting you in the Main House, now!" Mercedes said, smiling.
Lance’s guest room had wide floor boards and a huge brass bed. There was a comfortable window seat at the base of a tall window that overlooked the pasture. You could even see the ocean from his room once the fog lifted. The bath connected to it had a antique claw foot bath tub. There was also a shower and an old free standing mirror. Being a guy Lance didn’t normally
notice things like fabrics and color schemes, but he loved the way Mercedes made the rooms look so light and airy.
The main floor living area took up the whole width of the house. There was a large fireplace, library and in front of this huge picture window that overlooked the cutest little playhouse in the pasture, a table with a backgammon board all set up. As it was in Orlando, Mercedes had fresh cut flowers and candles throughout.
"Later, if you think you can handle it, we can take a ride on horse back . I want to show you just how beautiful this area is."
"If I think I can handle it...you’re in trouble now."
The main house had the same friendly, comfortable feel as the house in Orlando, but more laid back. It reminded Lance of the Barn in Orlando.
‘I don’t want to think about that. That never happened.’ Lance said to himself. ‘If Mercedes knew about that night, I don’t know if we’d ever be able to find a place to build a relationship from. But, is it possible to build a strong relationship built on top of a foundation based on secrecy and deception?’
Lance and Mercedes walked outside so she could show him around the property.
"I couldn’t help but notice the windmill. Can someone actually live in there?" Lance asked.
Mercedes laughed. Lance gave a puzzled look, "Did I say something funny?"
Mercedes touched his arm, "Oh. No, I’m sorry. But, I don’t know maybe you won’t remember. Do you remember that day we went jet-skiing on the Inlet in Orlando? You were helping me get the hang of it, Joey was there, too. I got too close to some zebra mussels..." Lance remembered, he definitely remembered. He nodded his head calmly. "Ah ah. Yes, I do. Actually, I
remember that quite well."
"Well, that woman who was bossing Joey around having him call the harbor patrol...her name is Liz Bertran. In the summertime, she rents out that
windmill."
"What? You’re joking with me, right?" Lance shook his head in disbelief.
"Honest. We stayed in touch, she’s been coming here for YEARS. When she found out the owners were selling the place, she told me and I had arrangements made to buy it."
Lance still stood there not quite taking it all in. "You’re not kidding?"
Mercedes laughed, "No, I’m serious."
"Whoa." Lance shook his head again, "Is she already moved in there for the summer?"
"No, she’s not, do you want to take a look inside?"
"Yeah. It looks like it’d be cool."
After the windmill their next stop was the bunk house. Mercedes told Lance of her plans to have the farm donated for use as a children’s camp one month out of the summer.
"There’s something really right about that Mercedes. That’s very generous of you." Lance boldly took hold of her hand, he noticed she still wore her
wedding band and engagement ring.
"I’m not sure how the Lizard’s going to handle it. That’s my nickname for Liz." They walked down to the horse barn slowly soaking in the atmosphere. Lance was drawn to one brown horse in particular.
"What’s this horse’s name?" He stroked the head of a beautiful, strong animal.
"Pre."
"Pre? As in Pretty?"
"No, "Pre" as in Steve Prefontaine, the runner. Olympics 1970’s...he always wanted to be out in front. That’s our Pre." Mercedes laughed. They walked
Pre out to the pasture.
"Mercedes, do you have swans out there in the pond?" Lance asked.
"Yes, aren’t they beautiful?"
"Swans are very special. Did you know they mate for life?"
"Yes, I‘ve heard that."
Lance shifted nervously and avoided looking directly at Mercedes. "I must have seen that on some Discovery Channel special."
Mercedes squeezed his hand. Mercedes climbed up and sat down on the stone wall. Lance stood next to her and leaned against the wall. He noticed her ankle. "You still have a scar from the zebra mussel fiasco, huh?" He touched it.
There was a feeling of electricity for Mercedes. It puzzled her. It excited her. It frightened her. Lance glanced up at her. They looked at each other for a moment. Then, Mercedes smiled, "Yep. Cocoa butter doesn’t quite do the trick."
"Do you want to see the guest house?" she asks him.
"Sure. Lead the way." Lance was telling himself to be more careful.
He was afraid he was going to frighten her. ’That night in the Barn never happened. We are just friends. Friends!’ Lance stuck his hands in his pockets. He followed behind her. She looked as beautiful as he remembered. Her walk was not provocative in any way, but as he watched her he wished he was back in the barn rubbing her soft bare bottom under the sheets...’yo. Stop that now.’ He commanded himself.
The guest house was more modern than the main house, but had the romantic feel of the loft bedroom. It had a Jacuzzi and a tub big enough for a family
of four.
Although, Lance doubted that’s what the architect had in mind. "Wow. This place is awesome."
He almost said that it reminded him of the loft
bedroom, ‘hello. Mercedes doesn’t think I ever saw the Barn.’
"If you’d like we could take a picnic lunch with us when we go for a ride."
"That would be nice. I’d like to ride Pre, would that be alright?"
"He’s frisky." Mercedes grins. "He’s not going to like me leading on another horse."
"I’ll handle him."
"Oo a man with confidence. I like that." Mercedes laughs, takes his arm and bumps him playfully.
The countryside was breathtaking. Lance was surprised by the amount of green rolling hills. Mercedes led them through a beach plum laden trail that brought them out to Lucy St. Vincent beach. Well-hidden from the public, very desolate, very beautiful. The rocky shoreline and crashing waves reminded Lance of Big Sur on the Northern California coast. It was a pleasant surprise. But, then again, nothing with Mercedes was ever exactly what he expected. Mercedes laid a blanket on the beach and Lance placed the knapsack on top of it. Neither one of them were really hungry yet. They took off their shoes, Mercedes let the horses walk free, and her and Lance strolled down the empty beach.
"Ohh! Wow, this water’s cold!" Lance almost squealed and it made Mercedes’ laugh. "That’s not funny. I think I have frost bite!"
"Oh, poor baby!" Mercedes put her arms around his waist. "It’s always a little cold...probably until August."
They laughed while Lance tried to regain his balance. They headed for a rock formation and Lance helped her climb up on it. They sat there for a while. Mercedes fit perfectly inside Lance’s legs. Mercedes leaned her head back onto Lance’s chest. Lance had
relived in his mind so many times he lost count, what it felt like, what it smelled like, to have his face in her curls again.
It was a joyful moment. He felt comfort again, at last. No words could capture the beauty of that moment for him. The wind had picked up and Mercedes shivered. Lance wrapped himself around her. They sat in silence taking in the power and the glory of the ocean pounding itself against the shore, the sand and the rock upon which they sat. Lance kept reminding himself not to read more into this moment.
But, at the same time, he knew he was. It was too easy to allow himself to believe that she was alive in this moment of him giving shelter to her, as he was alive in this moment of sheltering her. Mercedes turned her face back towards him, Lance looked down into her eyes. What he really would like to do is kiss her now. She pointed up the beach, but with the tide quickly coming in he could barely hear her. Lance finally figured out she was telling him how far away the horses had gone.
Reluctantly, Lance helped Mercedes down from the rock. He placed his hands on her waist and eased her down to where she was lodged between the rock and his
body. The frigged ocean water splashed up against their legs as Lance inched his face closer to hers and she looked into his piercing green eyes. Why was it Lance didn’t feel the cold water on his body now?
"Whoa. You’re right this water is COLD!" Mercedes finds herself squealing now.
It took the tension out of the moment for Lance. It broke their gaze. Lance quickly smiled, lifted her up, swung her around and got her onto shore. The two of them set off to gather the horses who were cooperative. Lance took the reins from the horses and they walked back up the path towards the stable. Mercedes gathered the knapsack and blanket and hung both from Pre’s saddle.
"We’ve been gone for a while, are you hungry now?" Mercedes asked.
Lance hadn’t realized how hungry he really was until then. They left the horses in their stalls and Mercedes suggested the Play house. With the little
play counters to sit on, they were comfortable and ate lunch in the midst of fun and enthusiasm. It still amazed Lance that someone so knock dead gorgeous could have such a childlike innocence about her.
When Mercedes first suggested going into Vineyard Haven to see a movie they both thought might be a good one, he grimaced.
"I don’t know Mercedes, I don’t usually go to the movie theatre without Wesley."
It wasn’t just a star trip for him when he said that. He really had some security concerns. Not just for himself, but for those people around him as well.
"This is the Vineyard. Trust me. The Capawock will be safe enough. People who live on the Island year-round don’t like other people to think that they’re
impressed by celebrities. It’s still early in the season. I think we can have a pretty normal evening out, if you’re game!"
Lance blushed and smiled. "Did I sound like some egocentric pop star?"
He touched Mercedes’ arm, as she said, "Oh...of course not." She didn’t imagine it that time. She swallowed hard to continue. Mercedes really felt
something that time when he touched her arm. "What was I saying? Oh, yes. I mean, no. You didn’t sound full of yourself at all. Does Wes like all the same movies, you do?" They shared a smile. Now it was her turn to blush.
"Sure. Guy flicks. You know, fast cars, fast chicks..."
"Glad I asked." Mercedes smile hid a growing concern inside her. Was she attracted to Lance? "So what do you say?"
Lance nodded his head in approval, "I’m game. Let’s do it."
‘Get your mind out of the gutter, Mercedes.’
Mercedes parked her car in the lot outside the A&P on the wharf in Vineyard Haven. They thought they’d catch the early movie, eat dinner and then maybe get over to the Hot Tin Roof for some dancing. Lance had only one night on the Vineyard and Mercedes wanted him to see what the Island had to offer.
What the Island had to offer. She was still trying to shake this romantic notion she felt was developing in her gut. ‘He couldn’t possibly be attracted to me anyways. I’m way too old for him.’
Suddenly it occurred to her that Lance’s birthday was Thursday. THAT was why he had to get home to Mississippi ! ‘Duh.’ Mercedes slapped her hand to her
forehead. He was turning 21. As they walked up the sidewalk to the Main Street, Mercedes excused herself and ducked into the public restroom. Pulling her cell phone out of her bag, she got Betty Serke on the line.
"Betty. Oh thank goodness you’re home. Listen, my friend’s birthday is Thursday and I was hoping, if you didn’t mind, could you make him one of your world famous chipmunk cakes tonight ? Please? Yeah! That’s great! You are the best! Thanks." Mercedes checked her face in the mirror.
‘Okay, so I don’t look THAT much older than him.’ Smiled and went out to meet him. He had his back to her looking out into the Harbor. The beautiful boats, the calm water. Lance looked like he had grown into a man over the past 6 months. ‘Nice butt.‘ Mercedes wondered if some woman somewhere had a hand in his sudden maturity. Whoever she was, Mercedes wanted to thank her. Then, she’d have to kill her , of course. Mercedes stifled a laugh. She was still standing there, watching Lance looking out over the water when he turned and faced her.
"Hi," he smiled with a look of puzzlement on his face. "Were you standing there long?"
"Nope. I just can’t get over the view."
"I‘m sorry, what did you say?" he asked.
"The Vineyard Haven Harbor. Beautiful, isn’t it?" she felt her face was going crimson.
"What time does the sunset?" Lance asked apparently not noticing her blush.
"I think we might still catch it after the movie lets out."
"Okay then. Let’s try to." He reached for her hand and they continued up the narrow side walk to the theatre. "Capawock" what does it mean? Is it native
American for something?"
"It means, tiny movie house with sand fleas." Mercedes smiled at him. Lance took his free hand and rubbed it down from her forehead to her chin. Then
tweaked her nose.
"You mock me."
"Hey, you haven’t been to see a film here yet. I know of which I speak."
"And I want to see this movie here, why?" Lance asked.
"Cause, I asked you to." Mercedes said flashing him a grin.
Lance paid the woman in the booth and they walked in to look for a seat. After the film, Mercedes and Lance strolled down to the wharf to catch the final minutes of daylight on the Vineyard. It was so beautiful. Lance put his arm around her before even thinking about it.
"Thanks for inviting me." he whispered in her ear.
"Thanks for coming." she smiled.
The relative calm was broken by the loud, low noise of the ferry boat horn as it came into the harbor. Lance jumped. "What in the world?"
"That’s the ferry as it comes into dock. I cannot believe you haven’t heard it before this, but you don’t usually hear it up island where the farm is."
Lance was actually pale and sweating.
"Are you alright?" Mercedes asked him.
"It just startled me." Lance put his hand on his chest. He looked pensive, deep in thought. He had enjoyed this time so much, he had almost succeeded in
putting that damn nightmare out of his mind. What the hell was it about that dream? And now being here? When he told the guys about coming here, he could read the concern on their faces as if they printed it on their foreheads. Ferry boat, nightmare, Martha’s Vineyard, ferry boat.
'Damn, boy, couldn’t you ask her to fly to New York for a visit?’ Chris asked.
'It’s not like we think something’s going to happen Lance, but it’s so weird.’ J.C. said.
"Nickel for your thoughts?" Mercedes said.
Lance snapped out of it. "I doubt it’s worth that much." He said. He gave her a shy smile.
The sun went down and it became colder very quickly. They returned to the car to grab their jackets.
"What’s the dinner plan?" Lance asked aiming to distract himself from the terror he had felt minutes before.
"Well, sir, first I’d like to take a walk down to the Black Dog for a little shopping. Then I made reservations for us at The Lambert’s Cove Inn. It’s a
short drive from here."
"Where’s the Black Dog?"
"It’s right over there!" Mercedes pointed to a fairly nondescript building across from the A&P. The only really cool thing about it was the big Black
Dog sign hanging out in front.
Once there, Mercedes set about picking up t-shirts short and long-sleeve, a cap, a fleece jacket, long flannel pj bottoms, a black lab stuffed animal and
key chain. There was a pair of boxer shorts she considered for a moment.
’nope, that’s not a good idea.’ Lance was shopping for his friends, and his family. Mercedes nosed around to make sure he didn’t get any of this
stuff for himself. The sales clerk folded everything nicely, put it in a huge Black Dog bag and stuffed it with tissue paper that had dog paws on it.
Mercedes found a note card, signed it and slipped it into the bag. When Lance brought his purchases up to the counter, Mercedes watched him like a hawk,
questioning what he was buying for whom. She helped him pick out something for his sister.
"I guess you’ll have to get yourself a souvenir next trip."
She smiled and they left the store. When Mercedes made the reservations at Lambert’s Cove, she had told the Maitre’ d that the bill would be sent directly to the Farm. It was a courtesy one year-rounder paid to another.
Lance loved the Inn. It was actually more elegant than he would have expected on the Vineyard, but it wasn’t stuffy at all. Like Mercedes, it had an
understated confidence that only those who were truly beautiful or rich or powerful could have. Mercedes told him the tale of the sword fisherman whose wife was a direct descendant of the Mayhews who settled the Island and how her great-great-great grandparents sold the Island for practically nothing.
Now the husband and wife were separated for weeks at a time while he fished to try and earn enough money to keep hearth and home together. Lance and Mercedes ordered the swordfish and thought about being in love and being apart. It was a soulful, quiet start to their evening. It could almost be considered romantic, except that, of course, they were only friends. Good
friends.
Mercedes was very interested in Lance’s entertainment venture, Free Lance, and asked him about it. She thought the tie-in with Planet Hollywood for the talent search was a great idea. Mercedes recommended that Lance contact MTV and see if something might be arranged for a climatic finale to the search. That would also showcase the talent Lance found. He nodded his head in agreement and told her he appreciated her input. Mercedes had the wine steward bring a bottle of white wine from the local winery, Chicama.
"What’s this, native American for ’kid’s first legal legal beverage’?" asked Lance.
Mercedes smiled, "Cute, Bass, very cute."
It went well with the swordfish, but it certainly wasn’t the best wine they had in their wine cellar. It was local and that made it deserve special attention. Like Lance’s birthday.
Mercedes brought out his gift as soon as they cleared away the plates.
"Oh. Gosh, that’s sweet Mercedes. Thank-you!" Lance leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "I was wondering why you were questioning me about all the
stuff I bought at the store!"
"Hey, I’m nosey!" They laughed quietly as Lance pulled each gift out of his bag.
"Mrs. Serke has made you a delicious chipmunk cake for your birthday. You will love it. You love nuts, and chocolate...it’s yummy!" Lance smiled at
her enthusiasm. "We can have it whenever we get home. Or for breakfast if you like..." she looked at him and it was as if they both thought the same thing at the same time. Their eyes grew wide. Mercedes covered her mouth with her hand and cleared her throat. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah. Yeah, I do. Don’t worry about it." Lance laughed.
‘That was so weird, because he IS a guest in my house. I mean, why did I think that statement would somehow be misinterpreted? I wonder if he was thinking what I was thinking. No way.’
Lance was busy with his own thoughts. ‘Mercedes blushed as if she was thinking there was something illicit that could be construed from what she said. Na. I’m reading way too much into that.’
"Time to head over to the Hot Tin Roof?" Lance asked.
"Whenever you’d like." Mercedes told him that they didn’t have to wait for the bill. "But, would you mind if I visited the wash room?" Lance said he’d wait for her in the Lobby.
There was a gift shop in the Lobby. Lance looked in the display cases and there, in the center of it all, was the most beautiful swan ankle bracelet.
He had to buy it for Mercedes. The store clerk had it wrapped before Mercedes had time to finish freshening her make-up. ‘Perfect.’ Lance thought to
himself, happily.
"Thank-you for a wonderful birthday dinner." Lance said as they walked to the car.
Mercedes smiled a quiet understated smile, and lit up Lance’s evening.
"You’re welcome."
