Fourth Lake, Chapter 10

On Friday, August 2, 1974, both Judy and Phil were feeling the affects of “cabin fever.”  They needed to get away from their cottage, Inlet, and Fourth Lake.  They had been there for five straight days and needed a break.  It was beautiful, but they wanted a change of scenery.  It wasn’t necessary to leave the Adirondacks, but they figured it would be a good idea to be somewhere else for at least a few hours.  The Hamlet of Old Forge, a community larger than Inlet, was about ten miles down Route 28, a two lane road thick with trees on both of its sides.  Judy and Phil would have lunch and hang out in Old Forge for the afternoon. 

While driving there, they heard another Watergate report on the car radio.  Jerry Warren at a  White House briefing was quoted as saying that, “You would have to put the President in the role of underdog.  We face an uphill struggle, but in a political struggle you have a chance to win.”  He also announced that the President along with his family was going to Camp David for the weekend.  Ironically, the person for whom the presidential getaway was named was among the family making the short trip from the White House.  Phil and Judy welcomed a respite from Watergate news as a result.

Joe Williams had recommended Billy’s Restaurant as the best place to eat in Old Forge.  When they went to his cottage for some Old Forge information, Phil noticed how Joe looked at Judy.  Maybe he should be jealous.  After all, his wife was a very beautiful woman.  And Joe was a good-looking, young guy.  So! 

Phil and Judy arrived at the restaurant a little after 1:30 PM with their reserved table waiting for them.  She ordered the shrimp scampi, while he chose the veal parmagiana.  A house salad plus bread was included for both.  They shared a bottle of New York State white wine.  While Phil had a slice of apple pie for dessert, Judy finished her lunch with a cup of coffee.

After he finished the pie, Phil went to the men’s room, leaving Judy alone at their table to enjoy the view of First Lake from the large picture window by their table which was in the front of the restaurant.  It was a beautiful afternoon and there were definitely more people moving about the streets of Old Forge than had been the case in Inlet.  It was not nearly such an isolated community.  It seemed to attract more tourists. 

After some minutes of wondering what had become of her husband, Judy turned her head toward where Phil had gone and saw him approaching.  Then for an instant, just over Phil’s left shoulder, she thought she saw someone leaving the men’s room whom she thought she recognized.  But then she lost her concentration about whom it was when Phil arrived at their table and resumed his seat next to her.

After relaxing for some minutes, and then paying the check, Phil and Judy left Billy’s Restaurant and went for a walk near the Lake.  They found a bench to sit on and admire the view.  They held hands and gently kissed.  It was just the kind of a romantic setting Judy wanted and needed.  It wasn’t only about making love on a bed that she was looking for. 

Later, they found an ice cream store and bought some cones to take with them.  Phil had two scoops of chocolate, while Judy had only one of strawberry.  Then they decided to go for a boat ride around the Lake that had attracted numerous others as well.  When the sun started to set, Phil and Judy thought it was time to return to their cottage.  They had expunged their “cabin fever.” And when it got dark on the roads in the Adirondacks, it was really dark.  Without your headlights, you would see nothing, absolutely nothing. 

On the way back to their cottage on Fourth Lake, Judy remembered that she thought she saw someone she knew who was behind Phil when he had come out of the men’s room of the restaurant.  If she saw him, Phil must have seen him as well, she thought.

“Phil, did you recognize anyone in the men’s room at the restaurant this afternoon?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have this strange feeling that when I saw you walking back to the table, there was someone else coming out of the men’s room that I thought I recognized.  Do you remember seeing anybody there?”

“I wasn’t paying any attention to anybody that might have been there.  I did what I had to do and left.  I don’t even remember if there was anybody else in there at the time.  You said that you thought you recognized someone.  You know, memory can be a funny thing.  What are you sure you saw?  Anything?”

“No, I’m not absolutely sure of anything.  But, I have the strangest feeling that I saw someone I know and its driving me a little crazy.  And it was not someone from around here...I think.”

“You think?  Judy, relax.  We had a great day today.  We’re having a great vacation.  Enjoy it and don’t let your mind play tricks on you.”

“Okay, my darling, I’ll try.”

Judy said she’d try.  But that memory would keep coming back and coming back.  It just wouldn’t go away.  It would perplex her until she could remember whom it was.  She was hoping that would happen before they left Fourth Lake.