Where Lives Lead

Chapter One

East Coast Sail

Much had happened between them. It seemed so long ago when they were surrounded by family and friends in the comfortable setting of Crystal Shores. Back then, it was the day of their nuptial bliss as Mindy looked into his eyes and saw, her new husband. Now, Mindy looked at Blaine as he stood at the wheel. He was her constant foundation and he had evolved so much since his younger days on the shore. Their yacht the “Floating Island,” had been circling the Long Island Hampton’s Harbor for some time. It was Labor Day and soon they would be back to work.

Changes were once again upon them and Mindy had choices to make regarding her career and starting a family. Blaine had professional decisions about the future of his conglomerate. He knew that the acquisition in the West Coast was a strategic option. He did not know how to convince Mindy who was settled to remain in upstate New York and start that family she could envision. A secure environment had been created for the time to come as had quilted blankets and a cultivated garden for a family to roam on the dusk of relaxed holidays such as this.

“Blaine, how much longer have we on the sound?”

“The sun is setting and by about 6.30 p.m. we shall be at the dock.”

“Fabulous. I have a wonderful treat booked in town for us,” she replied.

He smiled in response knowing she had booked their favorite restaurant overlooking the marina.

“I am looking forward to it. He could savor the lobster and smell the corn bread the distance.”

She knew that it was the perfect way for him to unwind before his hectic dealings in the city that week.

He steered the boat back to the sound and docked at the marina. They gathered their belongings and disembarked to their beach house less than 15 minutes away. She pulled the striped blanket and beach bag from the car as they headed to the front door. Within moments, they were inside their happy summer retreat where the interior was a warm beach motif. There was not much time to get changed before dinner. Mindy always looked forward to the meals where the two would sit and gaze at the water sipping whatever suited their fancy. It was the end of the holiday weekend and the end of a summer where she had selfishly basked in his company.

The restaurant was mystically lit, and they could feel a slight chill from the fast-approaching fall. Mindy wanted to concentrate on the summer evening and all that it had to offer. Perhaps, the last of its kind for many years to come.

Blaine looked deeply in her eyes. He knew that it was now or never. “Dear, there is something that I have been considering. You can think about it. We have saturated the eastern market and the mood is moving west. There are certain investments that have arisen and I think that we should spend some time there and eventually be bi-coastal. I mean, it is a large step and far away from our lives here. Why don’t we take the chance? There is so much to offer. I have the opportunity to invest in a film and acquire a company and we can move everything there. Even the horses and dogs. There is so much land in California to build a ranch and please say that you will think about it. You don’t have to decide now.”

She looked despondent unaware of such a major bombshell. After a brief nod and a sigh, “I will think about it, but do you think that this is the right time to be bringing this up? I mean we are having such a romantic meal at our favorite spot.” She knew that such a move would put off their family planning as she would need to be more settled. “Look, we can travel there and I will let you know what I think. No promises at the moment.” She felt the sense of urgency as he looked more relaxed.

The waiter took the order and the appetizers followed. Mindy tucked elegantly into her crab dish and felt that he was being the selfish one. How long had this been planned and when would he foresee the move? At that point, she was eager to get back to the country house upstate and spend as much time reminiscing there. She did not dream that she would have less time than originally perceived. They changed the subject and discussed her new exhibit. “It should be up and running by late fall and will run through to the holidays. The mood is more of the country setting with the horses. Lily is depicted in paintings at the stables,” she said proudly. Lily being her prized palomino and once a race horse. River’s Edge being her next and a dark brown and swift race horse. She often imagined their children enjoying the animals on the ranch. It reminded her of the fields of her origin many miles away in Crystal Shores. Riding horses on the beach was a favorite pastime and taught her the basics which she cultivated over the years. Even though he had started the evening off on the wrong foot, she did not want to mar the weekend by that insensitivity. After all, he had given her the best times that life had to offer. This summer was no exception.

Overcome with the nostalgia, she changed her stance, “You know, I think that a nice trip to California in the fall might be refreshing. I just want to get the exhibit up and running.”

“Sure dear, take all the time that you need. I may need to take a few days before then. Now, how is your meal so far?”

“Great, delicious. You know that this is one of my favorite dishes here.”

“Yes I do, which is why I knew that it would be perfect for tonight. You look beautiful as usual,” he complimented her. Being on the marina and overlooking the water took her back to their first date in Crystal Shores over a decade ago.

Their lives had converged after many years and many setbacks. Their true love had conquered all. He had been so understanding when she was coping with her losses and there was never a more perfect individual with whom to end up.

“Thank you dear, and so do you.” Mindy had changed her traditional bob to a lengthier flowing look with slight waves on her traditionally straight look. The summer’s sun had highlighted the ends as they did when she was younger. Blaine basked in the familiarity of her look. She was more like the person he had originally met a long time ago in Crystal shores.

“Do you know that my mind is going back to when we first met. Do you remember the first time we all sat down and had a meal?”

“That is so funny, being here tonight reminds me of that exact moment. I was so naïve and impressionable; I had not seen the world and had was so frightened of the unknown. Where I would end up and how it would turn out at college and with my sister Elise. You were there for me and you are here for me now.” Mindy reminisced about how young she was and how nervous she was to meet his family. She had known his family for most of her life and was experiencing one of the most significant losses of her life. They became a new set of people to fill in that void. The monotonous sound of the waves back then seemed to combine with the distant sound of the Long Island sea.

Being near the water was where she was most comfortable because it was a part of her upbringing. No matter what she had accomplished and who she had become, she always remembered those tropical evenings of the aroma of stews and bread being made in the kitchen by her mother, Iris, while her father and brother would dock the boat after a long day on the water. That aroma seemed to combine with the aroma of the five-star rated dish she would receive.