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December 28, 1996
We decided to stay overnight in Hyannis tonight so we wouldn't have to get up ungodly early in the morning to get to the Tiger Shark for our seal and waterfowl cruise. After calling three places that were closed for the season and rejecting one place that just seemed totally unsuitable, I reserved us a room at the Cascade Motor Lodge. The proprietor seemed nice enough on the phone, the price was right, and the place was open.
So, we arrived around 3:30 in the afternoon and walked into the office to check in. A huge golden retriever sprawls full length on the floor - his full length is approximately the length of the office - I didn't know goldens came that large. I exclaim "what a beautiful dog!". It growls. I mean it emits this deep primal guttural sound that makes me want to run away fast. Even Nancy who is a dog person and particularly loves goldens was nonplused. We check in. The golden leaves us alone.
After we haul our stuff into the room and get settled we head off to explore downtown Hyannis. Nice place in the off-season. Hot chocolate and a lemon turnover at Caffe e Dolci really hit the spot. I cathect Caffe e Dolci. It becomes a touchstone, a stopping off place, for us throughout our weekend. We walk around town in the drizzle checking out shop windows. We find the town dock and Tiger Shark's berth so we know where to be in the morning. After a long walk along the waterfront, we look for a place to have dinner. In the mood for something a little special for our celebration, we stumble onto Alberto's. What a find! The pasta is fresh! The pesto has just the right amount of garlic. The fireplace is cozy and charming. Our waitress is capable and friendly. A vastly pleasurable dinner.
Back at the motel, we decide to rent a video at the motel office. There's a huge selection. While we're looking over the videos a young man whose head is bleeding sits in a chair talking to the manager. He is making plans to pick up his medication. Their conversation gets weirder as I try to make sense of it. Now when I say this guy's head is bleeding I don't mean he just picked a few zits. He looks the way my brother Billy did the time he fell off his sled and slid down the entire length of Albemarle Hill on his head. This guy looks like maybe a dog mauled him or he got in a bar fight or had a close encounter with a shark. The vibes between him and the manager are decidedly strange. We finally select Sleepless in Seattle and I fill out a lease form promising godknowswhat plus my firstborn son in exchange for the video.
Back in the room, Nancy: "can you lock the door from the
inside?"
Me: "Yup, I put the chain on it."
Nancy:"Can you put a chair in front of it or something?"
Me:"I could, I guess. Do you think it would help?"
Nancy:"Is the door locked?"
Me:"Yup but I don't trust it."
I move to put a chair in front of the door but we both decide it's
silly.
Me:"Did you see that guy's head? He was bleeding!"
Nancy:"No I didn't see that. Do you suppose that's what the
medication is for?"
We put Sleepless in Seattle in the VCR and settle in.
I wake up in the middle of the night to a cat yowling nearby. Very nearby. Like I'm afraid if I open the door I'll have company. I wonder if it's in the room. No sign of cat in room. Maybe there's a secret passageway. Maybe it's outside the window that faces the alley. This cat needs a fix. I go back to sleep.