Part Five

Peggy rode the 10:25 a.m. ferry today, instead of her usual 5:20 run. She had been noticing splotches of redness on her skin ever since moving to the island. The nurse practitioner at the family health clinic suspected rosacea.

Peggy was shocked. "I didn't think I had that," she said.

"It can show up any time after about age 30, and it can come and go," said the nurse. She gave Peggy some literature to read and the names of some specialists who deal with the condition.

It was a brilliant sunny day when Peggy boarded the boat, although she was still feeling low after her visit to the clinic. The water glistened like jewels. Since Raoul would not be there, of course, she decided to change her routine and sit in a different part of the boat, and maybe walk around on deck. As the ferry motored out of Eagle Harbor Peggy noticed the low tide and the birds pecking hungrily at the exposed starfish and shellfish. She also noticed, with surprise, a U.S. Coast Guard boat motoring next to them out of the harbor and across the Sound. It was a small orange craft with a tiny cabin and a large machine gun mounted on the front. She could see two sailors in the cabin. Above the cabin was a flashing blue light. She wondered if trouble was expected during the crossing.

The deck was windy and exhilarating. She had to zip up her lightweight windbreaker. Her hair streaked in all directions. She was just about to go back in when she saw a familiar face, a young woman. Then the woman saw Peggy.

"Deidre?" Peggy said at last, realizing it was Raoul's daughter, visiting from Philadelphia.

"Uh, Peggy, right?"

"Yes. Sorry. I was standing five feet from you and I didn't recognize you. So, you didn't get up for the 5:20 this morning?"

"Ugh. I don't know how Dad does that every day. I did it once to keep him company but that was enough."

"Would you like to get out of this wind?" said Peggy.

"Sure. There's a space over there where it's sheltered."

They walked to a covered area containing rows of benches. Peggy kept glancing at the Coast Guard escort, waiting to see if a sailor would run out and start using the machine gun. They sat and had a long view looking south. The green trees and old beachfront hotels of West Seattle soon came into view. Two benches over, a man played guitar.

"What was your husband's name?" said Deidre.

"Taylor. Taylor Heggy. People thought it was so funny that a girl named Peggy married a guy named Heggy. That's how I became Peggy Heggy. People always said 'Huh?' and I had to explain it."

"It is cute, and unusual, you have to admit," said Deidre.

"What was your mother's name?"

"Priscilla."

"What was she like?" said Peggy.

"She was a dancer and singer. Very active in local theater. The life of the party you might say."

"Hmm. I'll bet she was missed."

"She left a very large gaping hole in the lives of many people."

"Raoul seems to have settled into a new life."

"Don't be fooled. He's still very lonely, I think. In a way I'm glad you and I have had this chance to talk," said Deidre.

"Why's that?"

"You are the first person to draw him out in a long time. He talks about you at home. Always in an offhand way, like he's not really interested. But that's just the macho side of him. There's a soft side of him, too."

"Well, I do think he's very dashing in his business suit and motorcycle leathers," said Peggy. "But I'll lay off the scones."