Chapter 1:
Greetings on the Front Dock
AN: There's a small Moran family tree posted as the first chapter of July 4th over on Ao3. It wouldn't let me format it right on this site, but it may be beneficial to look at.
"And Jen is married to Josh, but they're spending the Fourth with his family on Nantucket this year."
Nadine had stared out the window of the car as Blake had given her a rundown of the Moran family dynamic. It had been a long drive from D.C., so he'd gotten into some of the nitty-gritty details— drug addictions, divorces, and destructive family fights.
"Tell me more about Meredith," she'd said.
Halfway through New Jersey, she'd wondered what she'd gotten herself into.
"She's the oldest," he'd told her. "My parents never let her forget that."
His sister had called sometime after they'd stopped for gas in Rhode Island. She'd watched Blake's fists clench and unclench around the steering wheel as he'd spoken with her over the car's Bluetooth system.
"How long are you staying?"
"I told Mom the weekend, but we packed for a week." Blake had glanced her way before his eyes had returned to the road. "We'll see how things go."
Blake had mouthed "she's nervous" after Meredith had started to ramble.
"Mom is still worked up."
"About?"
Being a good brother, he'd played into it.
"She hasn't told you about the protests last week in the Hamptons? People marched down Meadow Lane, they chanted "tax the rich" in the roads of Southampton, and a group blocked the entrance to the East Hampton airport."
Nadine had read about it on her Twitter feed.
"I'm excited to see you," Meredith had said before brother and sister had ended the phone call.
"It sounds like cocktail hour came early," Blake had joked.
They'd taken the 3:45 ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven. Because they'd been one of the first cars in line, they'd had a good view of the ocean. They'd rolled the windows down for the ride, and although she could feel the humidity outside, Blake had assured her that the water temperatures were still too cold to enjoy swimming.
"When we were younger, we used to dare each other to jump off the dock at the beginning of June," he'd said. "My fingers and toes were numb for hours." Blake shook his head. "We were stupid."
It sounded like kids being kids.
Nadine still vividly remembered when Roman had paddled out on his surfboard and surfed the surge in Malibu. An offshore storm had created massive waves. "Nick dared me, Mom," he'd said. It had been her son's defense after she'd laid into him about how dangerously stupid the idea had been.
"Watch your step."
Blake had gripped her hand as she'd stepped onto the boat. His cousin, Jimmy, had been waiting for them in their family's slip at Vineyard Haven Marina.
"It's beautiful," she'd muttered as the boat was steered away from the no-wake zone.
It took over forty-five minutes to reach the island, but conversation had been steady, making the trip feel quick.
"Ready," Blake asked after they'd rounded the edge of the island.
Jimmy pulled the throttle back to neutral when the dock came into view. As Blake attached the fenders, Nadine stared out, watching as the people waving on the front dock grew closer.
"Would you tie that over there," Blake asked as he handed off one of the small bumpers.
After she stood and did as told, Nadine gripped the back of the chair she had previously occupied. Her fingernails dug into the leather as the boat inched forward toward the dock.
From the descriptions Blake had given in the car, she'd pictured men and women decked out in Ralph Lauren and Loro Piana, but the people in view were dressed plainly. Maybe it was because they were alone on an island. Or maybe this was truly just how old money dressed. No labels, conservative hemlines, and jewelry pieces that weren't flamboyant but certainly cost a fortune.
Money screams while wealth whispers.
Hadn't she heard that before?
"We don't talk about money unless it pertains to business," Blake had told her.
"So, you don't discuss how you spend your money," she'd clarified.
"Precisely," he'd said.
"Blake," a little girl squealed.
He waved back with a smile as he leaned over and muttered, "that's Mia."
Nadine hadn't really known what she'd been expecting, but the family waiting to greet them on the front dock appeared, well, normal. There were smiling children, golden retrievers wagging their tails, and women wearing jeans and oversized sweaters.
Blake had told stories of drug addictions, divorces, and destructive family fights, but when she looked at the people standing on the dock, she saw perfectly put-together individuals, pristine husbands and wives holding hands, and a poised family sporting matching smiles.
"Welcome to Gull Island," Blake said.
Nadine also knew that looks could be very deceiving.