This Saturday I found myself visiting with my good albeit enigmatic friend. I was to meet him at his home in Greenport and then take the North Ferry to beautiful Shelter Island. When we arrived at the palatial estate of the resident 100 Millionaire he gave us not more than an askance look as he went about his business entertaining some of his weekend guests. He was polite enough be speckled in his red frame glasses, but this man could barely spare of a dimes worth of attention with us. That was okay enough as we were there for other reasons and as we surveyed the business portion of our visit I started to get antsy for the promised BBQ being held in Bridgehampton later that day in the company of strangers.
As we headed to our eventual destination snaking through the winding road of route 114 we made our way to the South Ferry. A pleasant enough break from driving and as we chatted about business the ride was over seemingly in minutes. Two different companies operate these two ferries and interestingly enough they charge the same rate even though the South Ferry is half the distance of the North. I never get a discount on my Mini when I get it washed so why should I think this might be different. My friend knows the East End like the back of his hand and I was simply amazed how he avoided most of the traffic as tourists clung to the end of summer as if it might not come again.
Arriving at our final destination we found a bunch of 30 something’s celebrating a birthday of a young man who made millions in some dot com sale and in his White Communion like suit it told me although he was rich he was as uncomfortable as anyone could be thrust into the spotlight. He gave us a very polite but perfunctory greeting. His date was a statuesque beauty right out of Victoria Secret and as she sidled up and down his frame I thought to myself these two needed a room right quick.
I love to be in the company of strangers because I can be totally free in my commentary and although I will always be polite I can be irreverent as I wish and be extemporaneously glib to my hearts content. I did wind up talking to a young Nubian girl of 23 (by the way I guessed her age) and had her complete attention as I rattled off little known facts that only an eccentric like me would know. Of course she didn’t know who Steve McQueen was and she promised she would google it when she got home. Fascinating how young people today think The Breakfast Club is an old movie and if it didn’t happen during their lifetime it didn’t happen.
Strangely thinking I had life’s answers for her she asked me to come over and sit on the couch because she had an important question for me. She blurted out that she was thinking of joining the Marines and did I think it was a good idea. I was taken aback although tried not to show it. And as I took out my thinking cap I gave her my best set of questions to help her come to her own conclusion. A delightful child I hope she makes what she wants in life and that is to make a difference.
I concluded the evening after wolfing down plenty of BBQ chicken and salmon with a night pool swim in the company of strangers.
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