All right, Lucy, good to see ya again. I like halter tops, glad it's warm enough you could wear one. My, you've got big nipples. You have a good day yesterday, talkin' to all the other ancients on the island? Good. Not much to do these dog days of August, might as well tell stories. Scarecrow Island doesn't have a big dramatic history, maybe some pirates here in colonial days, but we generally stay off the radar. Almost always been a haven for the rich. No, the players 'round here haven't changed much since '58.
I'm glad you met the Barclays, they're nice folks. Even showed ya the family photo album, gave ya a tour of the Inn? Marvelous. Oh, they know I talk pretty freely, they don't care. Not much use in it. Yes, the story the last few years is a great one for them, glad they're doin' well. They sure weren't doin' too hot in '58.
The day after the Halstroms arrived was a great day for a sail, so I took the boat out to run before the wind. On the way back, I anchored off the point to fish a little and saw Tony and Anna climbing up the hill. He was showing her his favorite lookout spot. They were both wearin' button down shirts and shorts, couple of kids exploring. No, they didn't neck when they got to the top, Tony was taking my advice to go slow. Looked kinda cute, two kids sitting on the hilltop holdin' hands, stealing pecks on the lips every now and then. Nothing really to look at.
Over the next few days Mrs. Halstrom just walked around the island trying to impress the other ladies here and blend in, making formal social calls. No, she wore long sleeved blouses and skirts, very proper. Sometimes she was with her husband. There was a house for sale and I think they were interested in it, but anybody on the island could veto the sale, at least any of the long term homeowners. That's the way it is here. Betty was tryin' to work her way into the club. The old residents could take to somebody new if they suited. Don't think Mike was ever that interested in living here, but she sure was. Yeah, it's funny the way things worked out.
Oh, ya don't want to sit out here very long? Yes, I understand delicate skin and no, I don't want to see that lovely skin get sunburned. You got a nice glow goin', work it carefully. Sure, we'll go below, I feel good about that. Watch your step.
After a couple of weeks, Tony stopped by to tell me Mrs. Halstrom wanted to talk to me, needed something fixed. I grabbed my toolbox and went up to the Barclay Inn. When Tony showed me to her room, I gave him a funny look: I knew that's where he and his folks lived, but he just shrugged, giving me a 'what do you do?' look. After one knock, I heard the answer, "Come in."
Now Betty Halstrom could have been a Viking Queen. Her hair was cut short, but she was tall, built like a brick house, strong. Her eyes were a bit tired, but other than that she looked pretty good. She was wearing a white sleeveless blouse and gray slacks, no jewelry other than her wedding ring, and sandals. She had a habit of tapping her wrist when she was nervous, and she was a bit nervous to meet me "I hear you're discreet in your work. I also hear you can get some things that aren't easily available on the island. Is that true?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Well, no one must know the work you're doing for me this morning, absolutely no one. I'm also running out of a prescription, and don't want to sail half a day to get it refilled."
"What's the prescription for?"
"Sleeping pills."
That was interesting. "I think I can refill that for you right away. Keep a stock for a couple other folks on the island. Do you have the original prescription?"
"No, I left it at home in Pittsburgh."
I looked her square in the eye and she looked squarely back. Cold, determined, icy. "I think I can help you, but it will cost more."
"I don't have much money on my own, Mike keeps the money."
"There may be other ways you could pay me..."
"That's what I understand as well. I'm willing to negotiate."