Helen touching her long blonde hair with scissors. Then they realized
that they had wandered too close to what they called the ?pervert
zone? of the ferry, and had to hastily backtrack.
They both hated that part of the ferry, but Helen was particularly
sensitive about it; it reminded her of this creepy guy that had followed
her around one summer, until the day he just disappeared
off the ferry. Instead of feeling relieved when she realized he wasn?t
coming back, Helen felt like she had done something wrong. She
had never brought it up to Claire, but there had been a bright flash
and a horrible smell of burnt hair. Then the guy was just gone. It
still made her queasy to think about it, but Helen played along, like
it was all a big joke. She forced a laugh and let Claire drag her
along to another part of the ferry.
Jerry joined them as they pulled into the dock and disembarked.
Claire waved good-bye and promised to try to visit Helen at work
the next day, though since it was the last day of summer, the outlook
was doubtful.
Helen worked a few days a week for her father, who co-owned the
island?s general store. Apart from a morning paper and fresh cup of
coffee, the News Store also sold saltwater taffy, penny candy,
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caramels and toffee in real crystal jars, and ropes of licorice whips
sold by the yard. There were always fresh-cut flowers and handmade
greeting cards, gag gifts and magic tricks, seasonal knickknacks
for the tourists, and refrigerator essentials like milk and
eggs for the locals.
About six years ago the News Store had expanded its horizons
and added Kate?s Cakes onto the back, and since then business had
exploded. Kate Rogers was, quite simply, a genius with baked
goods. She could take anything and make it into a pie, cake, popover,