The Old Cape Teapot Read Online Free PDF Page B

carrying two plates filled with a mound of multi-colored food and headed in our direction. “My specialty. Enjoy.”
    Decorating each white dish was a stew-like food that lay nestled on top of brown rice. A quick glance with wide eyes was exchanged between Brian and me as we scanned our dinner. Nick smiled and looked as if he could hardly wait for his serving. I stared at my plate and then over to Brian’s and whispered, “What is it?”
    “Goat stew,” he answered under his breath.
    “What did you say?”
    “Goat stew!”
    A cute, fuzzy, little face with big brown eyes popped into my head. I fell back against my plastic beach chair, not wanting anything to do with Ms. Jones’s specialty.
    With the arrival of Nick’s plate, I had no choice but to begin eating the brown pieces of meat that were scattered among the vegetables. My fork timidly began pecking at the rice around the edges of the plate and then the utensil slowly found its way into my mouth. The rice was good and the sauce tasty. Confident, I ventured further into the middle and tried the bite-sized meat. It wasn’t terrible, but I couldn’t bring myself to eat any more. “I’m not sure how much I can eat of this.”
    Brian eyed his food and quietly said, “You better finish; it would be an insult to Ms. Judith. Remember, you get to go home; I have some more time here on the island.”
    “Can I give you some from my portion?” My plate inched its way closer to Brian’s.
    He placed his hand on the table, separating his dish from mine, preventing any chance of my food being deposited onto his plate. “Are you kidding, I can barely get it down myself.”
    Nick was quiet as he dug into his meal, ignoring our discomfort. There was no talking at our table, just careful, anxious eating.
    When Nick was almost finished, he asked, “How did you connect the legend of Bellamy and Hallet with the things you found?”
    I was happy for another question. “We found some old pieces of parchment at the bottom of the cellar. On them were dates and initials that, according to the state archaeologist and carbon testing, pointed to the 1700s and the Samuel Bellamy legend.”
    Nick took a quick drink and excused himself to use the restroom. “I’ll be right back. I want more details.”
    “How come Nick is so curious?”
    “Oh, he’s harmless. He told me he’s nuts for pirates, been that way since he was a kid apparently.”
    I smiled to myself, why not? My story is a great adventure. “What did that guy talk to you about before we got our food?”
    “Not much. He just asked where the best sailing was. I told him that I was Peace Corps and had only sailed once on the island.”
    The unfinished meal sat in front of me. I racked my brain trying to come up with a solution as to how I could get out of this predicament.
    “What if I asked to take it home?” I suggested to Brian.
    “She’ll know.”
    “I have to try; I can’t eat anymore.”
    I got up and asked Junior for something to take the food home in for tomorrow’s lunch, hopeful my fib would work. I offered many thanks and compliments upon Ms. Judith for her ability to combine interesting and tasty foods. My effort went well and she retired into the kitchen with a big smile on her face. As Junior handed me the tinfoil container, he asked, “I hope you don’t think me forward, but I couldn’t help noticing the beautiful jewelry that you’re wearing.”
    I placed my hand on my neck, “Thank you, it’s one of my favorites.”
    “It resembles earrings that belong to my mother.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes, they’ve been in my family for many years, handed down from generation to generation.”
    My queasy stomach miraculously disappeared as my eyes widened with interest. “Do you know any history about them?”
    “No, I just remember my mother always keeping them in a box under lock and key. She would only wear them for special occasions, like her wedding anniversary.”
    “Junior.” A voice called