Pilgrimage-Part Three

Eleanor and Chauncey climbed into their rented yellow camaro with some difficulty. The seats were low as were Eleanor and Chauncey's spirits having said goodbye to Fiona and Nate.

Once they hit the first roundabout on Cape Cod, Eleanor and Chauncey snapped out of the doldrums and focused on arriving at their next destination without getting lost. They were headed for Waquoit, a town near Falmouth, to stay with Eleanor's aunt and her husband. Once, many years ago, it took Eleanor and Chauncey two hours to walk home from a beach allegedly only a half hour from Eleanor's aunt's house. In desperation, they ended up calling Eleanor's aunt from a pay phone to be picked up at a nearby pizza joint. Chauncey, who prides himself on being geographically savvy, was mortified.

The window faced the marsh.

Miraculously, Eleanor and Chauncey pulled into the driveway exactly when they said they would and were greeted with congratulatory hugs from Eleanor's aunt and her husband. Chauncey held his head high. There were lobsters for dinner and key lime pie for dessert. Eleanor and Chauncey slept well that night in their room with a window facing  the marsh.

They went to the Clam Man to pick out swordfish.

The next day, Eleanor and Chauncey accompanied Eleanor's aunt and her husband to The Clam Man to pick out some fresh swordfish for dinner. Eleanor's cousins were coming, and Eleanor's aunt and husband had planned a feast for the occasion.

Mr. Clam Man was outfitted with a red apron and had an authentic Cape Cod accent to boot. Going to the fish market remained one of Eleanor's favorite outings with her aunt. It meant that guests were coming and there was bound to be some fun.

The meal that evening will be remembered by Eleanor and Chauncey as one of the best they ever had. The appetizers were stuffed quohogs, which Eleanor's aunt had spent several hours preparing. The swordfish was accompanied by a light anchovy sauce whipped up by Eleanor's aunt's husband. There were lots of compliments on the food all around and toasts to the hosts. Eleanor and Chauncey experienced a familiar pull towards the East Coast.

After visits with some more family and friends, Eleanor and Chauncey returned the yellow camaro and boarded the plane home to Los Angeles. As usual, it was hard to leave. They wished one day to have homes on both sides of the country and the luxury to travel between them whenever they wanted.