Page 79 of Smuggler's Cove
The cars moved slowly as they passed the Staten Island Ferry terminal. They were a block away from Pier Eleven and could see the ferry at the dock. The taxi pulled next to the curb, and they scrambled out as a horn sounded the one-minute warning. The same crew member from the other day was standing at the gate and recognized them. He called out to the boat captain, “We gotta a couple of runners!” He waved for them to move faster, and they certainly did.
All of them were out of breath as they puffed up the gangway. They thanked the young man with gulps of gratitude as the boat pulled away from the dock. They wobbled toward a booth and flopped into the seats. “People do this every day?” Madison asked a rhetorical question.
“Thousands,” Olivia reminded her.
“I could use a bottle of water,” Madison announced.
“I suppose you want me to get it for you?” Lincoln asked sardonically.
“Of course,” Madison said, grinning.
Other passing boats were causing wakes in the harbor. Lincoln hadn’t yet found his sea legs and used the seats to help steer himself to the bar area.
Olivia elbowed Madison. “Such a rookie.”
The forty-minute ride blew by quickly, and soon they were docking in the Highlands. Lincoln recognized Charlie’s truck, and then wondered where everyone was going to fit. It hadn’t occurred to him to ask Charlie about the seating capacity. As soon as Charlie spotted the three of them, he immediately solved the problem. “Hey! Welcome back! I’ll take the girls over to the house and come round and fetch you. Won’t take but a couple minutes.” Charlie may speak and walk slower than what they were used to, but he was as sharp as a tack.
As they passed Huddy Park, Charlie mentioned that it was the main area where the seafood festival would take place. He went on to explain that it was named after a revolutionary war hero, Joshua Huddy, murdered in 1782, at the hands of Captain Richard Lippincott, a British Loyalist. At the time, it was not unusual for the Patriots to render retaliation by executing a Loyalist of similar status. So Washington wrote a letter to General Moses Hazen, commander of Lancaster Prison Camp, ordering that a British officer of equal rank be hanged. Hazen left the matter to chance and required thirteen prisoners to draw from a hat. The wordunfortunatewas printed on the paper pulled by Charles Asgill, a nineteen-year-old heir to an English fortune. Asgill’s mother began a fervent letter writing campaign that landed in the hands of the French Foreign Minister, who intervened by approaching Congress. It was decided that hanging Asgill would create unnecessary and irrevocable tension in the delicate balance of peace between America and England. Lippincott was never held accountable and moved to Canada, and Huddy became a Revolutionary War hero.
Madison listened with interest. “There truly is a lot of history here.”
“Yes indeedy,” Charlie answered. “You oughta get yourselves up to the Twin Lights one day.”
“Irene gave us a little background on the lighthouses,” Olivia said. “I would like to take my daughter there. She is a European History teacher, but I am certain she would find it interesting.”
Charlie proceeded up the road that climbed into the hills. “Here we are. Anything you need?” he asked.
“I think we are fine. Thank you,” Madison answered, and dangled the new set of keys. “See you later. And, Charlie, keep a keen eye on my brother. He likes to shop for tools as much as I like to shop for clothes.”
Olivia laughed. “Except he doesn’t know how to use any of them!”
Charlie was still laughing as he drove off to fetch Lincoln.
Before they entered the house, Madison took a long look at the view. “You did a great job finding this.”
“It wasn’t that hard. I’m happy it was available.”
“To quote Charlie, ‘yes indeedy.’” The women linked arms, walked to the double doors, and flung them open. “I know I am going to enjoy this.”
Olivia suggested they start with the kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets flanked one wall. The two women began opening them and taking notes. The inside panels of the doors had lists of inventories. “This makes it easy to keep track of everything,” Olivia noted.
There were place settings for eight people, a full set of pots, several frying pans, baking dishes, and drawers filled with utensils. Another cabinet housed three different styles of wineglasses, champagne glasses, highballs, tumblers, and martini glasses. Madison turned to Olivia. “I like the way these people think.”
“You meandrink.” Olivia chortled.
There was a cabinet just for spices, and another for the multitude of appliances. “It seems as if these people like to cook,” Olivia noted.
“We should make a list of dry goods we might need. Flour, sugar, pepper, spices.” Madison snapped her fingers. “You can teach Hannah how to make bacalaitos! She can add fried cod to the menu.”
“As you say, let’s not get carried away.” Olivia knew Madison was enthralled, but there was a lot to do before anyone started cooking for the masses.
“Okay, but you have to promise me you will make mo-fongo.” Madison hesitated. “I wonder if you can get plantains nearby.”
“We are not out on the prairie. I am sure there is a Whole Foods or ShopRite within driving distance. Which makes me think we should buy all the necessities, like soaps, laundry detergent, fabric softener, and household cleaners locally. It will probably be cheaper than buying it in the city.”
“Excellent point. I’ll ask Irene where we should shop.”
An hour later, they decided to take a short break and sit on the patio. It was breezy but pleasant. “I think we should plant an herb garden.” Madison pointed to an area on the side of the outdoor kitchen.
