Into the Woods (DeBeers 4)

"Spoken like a true Palm Beach resident," Winston remarked.

"We don't live in Palm Beach," I said.

"Palm Beach." Winston said, sitting back and looking serious and philosophical. is really a state of mind, a style. Some abuse it, overdo it, just as you can overdo your appreciation of any of the finer things in life, drinking too much of this excellent French wine, for example, eating too much of Louisa's wonderful food. The secret is reaching a level of enjoyment and holding it for a while and then retreating or knowing when to retreat."

He paused and looked at Mommy, who did seem to hang on his every word, and then he looked at me. "Oh. I'm sorry. I can get that way sometimes: heavy and philosophical. It's the old man in me."

"That's wonderful. Winston. It's nice to know someone who is willing to share his wisdom with others. And you're far from an old man," Mommy said.

He smiled at her, but he glanced worriedly at me. "I didn't mean to get too serious and spoil our day of fun." he said.

"It's all right. I think I understand what you're saying." I looked at Mommy and then back at him. "Do you know the myth of Icarus?" I asked him, glancing at Mommy, too.

He thought a moment and shook his head.

"Daedalus, an inventor in Athens, was exiled to the island of Crete with his son Icarus. He invented an escape using feathers and wings so they could fly off, but he told Icarus not to fly too high, or the sun would melt his wax and his wings would fall off. Icarus was so excited to be flying that he disregarded the warning and flew too high. He fell to the sea."

I glanced at Mommy again. She looked pensive, even worried. Was I telling her all this was simply too high a reach for us?

Winston was silent. Then he smiled. "I see we have a real student among us. I'm one who believes you're never too old to learn something new. I have a few business associates I'd like to tell that story to, Grace. I suppose having too much ambition is bad, but not having enough is just as bad, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes."

"The trick is finding the shoe that fits. huh?"

"Yes," I said.

"Well, back to having fun," he said, clapping his hands as if he could control the weather and the rise and fall of the sun itself. "Let's get the yacht under way again."

"Don't you have to get home to get ready for work, Mommy?" I asked.

Not tonight. I've already taken care of that."

"Another day off?"

"It's all right. Grace. Don't worry," she said firmly.

Winston held his smile. "It's nice to see a young adult who can be serious and responsible." he said.

I knew he meant it. but I was feeling more like Icarus, letting the compliments, the opulence, the overwhelming world of Winston Montgomery carry me too close to the sun. What I feared most was that Mommy was closer than I was already. Her wings were melting fast.

.

How can I say we didn't enjoy this day? It was so much fun steering the yacht, making it go faster and slower. How different the world looked from this viewpoint. It all made me feel free and important. Mommy surprised me when Winston suggested we all go for a swim in his pool. She had brought my bathing suit in her bag.

We ended up staying well into the evening. Louisa prepared a light supper of tasty salads, and we ate on the rear loggia, watching the sunset.

"It's so beautiful here, so peaceful," Mommy said. "You can feel you've escaped everything unpleasant."

"Yes. That is why I think the original owners named it Joya del Mar. The sea's gift is this sense of contentment.

"Well. Jackie." he said, turning to Mommy. "you've done it again," He pretended to be angry.

"Done what?"

"Caused me to lose all track of time."

"I did..."