The Fourth Place Setting

Mysteries may unfold or unravel at a moment’s notice or may intensify in depth until they are barely solvable. — The Narrator

This was the time and place for all of their problems to wash away — like the Long Island high tide scouring the beach and all traces of footprints, caved-in sandcastles, and chunks of reddish-brown seaweed. Michael knew in his heart, as he watched the sun start to illuminate the sky with vibrant reds, pinks, and yellows, that soon the relationship with his wife Lauren would be aglow as well. All they needed was some time alone together in a beautiful setting, a little getaway. Perhaps, thought Michael hopefully, now would even be the “right” time to start the family he had been patiently urging his wife to reconsider. After all, they were not growing younger.

Yesterday, while his wife was bathing after their long first day of exploring and settling into their luxurious vacation rental at the affluent Hamptons coastline, Michael met their neighbor Patrick. Patrick seemed very eager to introduce himself and boasted with much self-assurance how he was a Hamptons “regular” and owned a “stunner” of a yacht and would “not take no for an answer” after inviting Michael and Lauren to dine with himself and his wife the next evening aboard his yacht. Michael agreed to meet the following evening. Patrick also bragged that he owned a four-star restaurant chain, and wasn’t bad in the culinary arts himself. Michael felt he couldn’t refuse such a bounteous gesture from his neighbor.

***

Patrick could not believe his luck. Not only was the house next door to Lauren and Michael available for rent at the same time, but he was also able to rent a breathtaking forty-foot yacht with a discount! Yes, he had to spend a massive amount of his savings he had worked extremely hard for as a chef in a four-star establishment, but he also knew if everything went according to plan, money would no longer be an issue. Patrick only dreamed of owning a four-star restaurant chain, but he did work very hard to earn his place preparing multi-course, premium, and complex dishes.

Looking up at the star-scattered sky, Patrick took a deep breath. He then assessed the place settings on board the yacht’s built-in table for three, as his “wife” did not exist. He could not ask a couple to dinner as a single man; this would raise alarms.

He was so proud of himself. As soon as they were far enough out in open waters, the last of the plan would take place and he would live happily ever after. Well, himself and Lauren of course.

Little did Patrick know, however, that Michael had a heightened sense of suspicion since the day prior, and his awareness had been elevated. Michael noticed the yacht’s small rental company logo, but kept it to himself. He knew some men had a tendency to feel more important than they were.

Patrick heard footsteps approaching on the strip of wooden deck and voices of a man and woman chatting and laughing. Oh, he would recognize Lauren’s laugh one hundred years from now, the bubbling child-like wonder that never ceases. Nonetheless, there was a hint of emptiness, a coldness, that maybe only Patrick could discern.

“Welcome! C’mon aboard! I’m just back here wrapping things up!” Patrick removed the crisp salad he had prepared from the boat’s mini fridge and placed it on the table. He poured ice-cold water in tall glasses.

The couple walked around and found their way to the table, which had been set up very nicely. The weather was a pleasant early spring night, with barely a chill. Michael noticed Lauren wearing a dress somewhat more revealing than her usual nature, but brushed it aside as perhaps she was only feeling more relaxed with this vacation. Little did Michael know, there would be a lot of revealing and unveiling tonight…

“Go ahead and have a seat! You can get started on the salad. I just have to make a quick call. I’m sorry; my wife could not make it tonight — she gets migraines and tonight was unfortunate.” Patrick slipped inside the cabin.

Michael glanced at Lauren and shrugged. He didn’t feel comfortable sharing dinner alone with only Patrick, their new acquaintance, but maybe he was overthinking. On the other hand, they could have moved their evening to another night when his wife could attend, couldn’t they?

Lauren just smiled somewhat nervously as they each took a seat and she reached for the salad. Lauren didn’t appear to be questioning motives, Michael observed. Actually, she seemed to be in a whole other world. She wasn’t even acting her usual self at all; she was normally talkative. He decided he better not tell her about the boat being a rental — not yet anyway. Frankly, Lauren had her mind on another agenda, one that did involve another life and another world Michael would no longer be part of — only he just didn’t know it yet.

What was this breeze? Wait. They were moving!

“Patrick! We are moving! I thought we were only going to dine?” Michael shouted toward the cabin and went to look for Patrick.

“Yes, it’s okay! I thought it would be nice to get out in some open waters since it is a lake tonight. We’ll stop soon and put her on autopilot. Don’t worry! She has GPS.”

‘Wow, this Patrick is full of surprises,’ Michael reflected. ‘Maybe this was a bad idea.’ Michael wished he had a weapon, but he did have his phone and a pocket knife. He tried not to fear the worst. The guy did appear to want to “show off” from the start. Poser Patrick.

Michael and Lauren sat while the boat was cruising out in the open ocean at a minimal speed. Lauren was so enmeshed in her own world and chewing her salad monotonously, that she did not even notice Patrick join them at the table. She seemed to be fascinated by her wine glass. Michael did not see the predatory smile that was beginning to emerge from her red-stained lips.

“Apologies for the delay. Just had a last-minute thought that it would be great to be out in open waters since it’s literally like glass tonight. And it is a pleasure to meet you Lauren.”

“I hope all is well so far.” Patrick sat down across from the couple, placing a tray with fish and other appealing looking side dishes on the yacht’s built-in table. He then placed a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc as well and opened the top, while pouring some in each wine glass.

“Here’s to new friends, great food, and a night we will never forget!”

All three clinked glasses but Michael only took a sip. Maybe his imagination was on overkill but he understood how drugs could be disguised in drinks. He just wanted to be sharp and focused, in case Poser Patrick had other plans than dinner.

Lauren knew she should be feeling guilty. Somehow a sense of freedom enveloped her from head to toe instead, and drifting freely on a lavish yacht under the star-speckled sky promoted a sense of ethereality. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her very doting husband, but in truth — she had been living a lie during their entire marriage of ten years.

This was the reason Lauren was very quiet tonight. The reality of what was going to occur momentarily was sinking in. She could finally be herself again, as Vivienne. She had been keeping Vivienne at bay and tucked away, but it was becoming much too tiring and troublesome. Some aspects of Vivienne were already starting to unveil, and Michael was noticing.

“Patrick, this fish melts in my mouth. What kind did you say it was?” She thought she should act natural. They weren’t far out enough yet. Could she actually go through with their plans?

“Flounder! Stuffed and seasoned with my own special recipe. Thank you — glad you are enjoying!”

Patrick gave her a deep look. She knew what it meant. Do not back out now. She could feel Vivienne invading more and more. She was losing her grip on Lauren. It would become impossible to even pretend soon. Yes, stopping her medication weeks ago was what brought Vivienne back in the first place. Michael didn’t even know. He didn’t know about her “illness” or medication she had been hiding — and the doctors’ visits. She had made sure.

Lauren hadn’t wanted to lose Michael if he ever found out she was “Crazy” and had been institutionalized for what they now label as “dissociation.” She just couldn’t risk it. However, Patrick found her on social media (somehow) weeks ago and just seeing him again brought back memories she had long buried, along with Vivienne. Dangerous, risk-taking, and fearless Vivienne; the woman who could face anyone and anything, no matter the consequences. Unlike Lauren, who always had compassion, sympathy, and a conscience, Vivienne did not.

Patrick told her how much he missed her — how much he missed Vivienne! Regardless, she was Lauren for now, her “original” self, the self the doctors were finally able to “dig up” and rescue after months and months of intense therapy. Patrick, on the other hand, never knew Lauren — only Vivienne. He had fallen in love with Vivienne in the institution, but she had left him as Lauren when she was released and he was not. Patrick just wasn’t aware of how long she had been living a new life with a new identity as a new person.

“So what do you do for a living Michael? You seem like the numbers kind of guy.”

Patrick somewhat winked as he sarcastically pretended to interrogate.

“Well, yes, I am in the financial sector, actually. Good catch.” Michael uncomfortably wiped his mouth with his cloth napkin.

“Well, I should say ‘Good catch’ to you, also!” Patrick gestured with his fork to Lauren, who happened to be looking out at the ocean.

“Yes, she is.” Michael had had enough of this guy. He noticed the boat was still moving away from the shore towards the ocean, and the shore was nowhere in sight. Not only that, how could he have guessed that Michael worked with numbers? He knew something was going on but he didn’t know what it was. Patrick understood just how much Michael did not know, on the other hand, and was deliciously glad.

“Hey Patrick, it’s really nice out on the ocean, but don’t you think we are getting too far from shore now?” Michael glanced at his phone. He still had reception, but who knows for how long?

“Yes, I suppose we are far enough out, and there’s no one else around. Do you think this is far enough, Vivienne?”

Patrick grinned menacingly.

“Huh? Vivienne? Her name is Lauren, and why are you asking her if it is far enough?” Michael took a steak knife quickly and hid it in his long sleeve before anyone noticed.

Lauren looked sadly at Michael, but the look in her eyes was anything but sad.

“I thought we were supposed to wait until after dessert. You promised to make me my favorite—crème brulée.” Lauren actually pouted.

“What in the world is going on? Lauren, you know him? Is this some kind of setup?” Michael didn’t understand what was happening. Maybe she met Patrick yesterday, too, and he promised to treat her to her favorite dessert? That would be very, very strange.

“Michael, honey, the Lauren you thought you knew no longer exists. That’s what is going on. I’ve been trying to be her for a long while now, but I just can’t anymore. You know we’ve been having problems, and that’s why. I’m really Vivienne, and I’ve had to pretend to be Lauren. Vivienne is in love with Patrick, not Michael. I’m sorry.” Vivienne walked over next to Patrick and put her hand on his shoulder. The truth was out.

“I don’t believe this is happening. How do you even know Patrick? So you didn’t just meet?” Michael wanted to keep them talking, because he had a feeling Patrick didn’t drive them in open waters for no reason. He would be shark meat soon and he knew it. He would try to call for help as soon as he could, but they both had their eyes on him. Patrick was also a lot more built than he was, and he knew he could overtake him.

“Michael, Patrick loves me for who I am, whatever I am. I know that now. He has proved it to me. You would not want anything to do with me, a woman who was institutionalized for having mental problems, would you? Besides, I am Vivienne now, and you love Lauren. Vivienne certainly wouldn’t be your type, and Lauren is gone.” Vivienne wasn’t as nice as Lauren. Vivienne was shaking her head.

“That’s where you are wrong, Lauren, or Vivienne I mean. You’ve misjudged me. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. I stand by my words. I will stand by you. I love you. You shouldn’t have kept this from me all that time. I would have accepted you and helped you figure this out.” Michael pleaded, tears watering his eyes. Through the moonlight and across the table, he thought he saw the hint of tears in Lauren/Vivienne’s eyes as well. Vivienne was beginning to feel emotions as Lauren, to her surprise.

“Blah, blah, blah… makes me want to vomit. Don’t you, Vivienne?” Patrick nudged her.

All of a sudden, Vivienne didn’t look so sure. She took a couple steps away from Patrick and then walked towards the railing, overlooking the dark, silvery, moonlit ocean. She turned to look back at Michael.

“My family discarded me like a used tissue — they left me in that institution and Patrick was the only person who didn’t judge me! The doctors helped me discover Lauren again — helped me become her again, but Vivienne will always be there inside of me. She’s taking over me now! Yes, I didn’t help things by stopping my medication weeks ago. That’s how Vivienne returned.”

Michael saw how Lauren/Vivienne was fighting a battle in her mind. This was a good sign. He could feel she wanted his help, and not Patrick so much, who he didn’t even know. He had a feeling the guy was dangerous, however, and had a bad motive. Plus, he was also institutionalized and for what? Prideful Patrick…

“Lauren, Vivienne… I will be here for you always. I will never throw you in an institution like your family did. We will work together and I will do everything in my power to help you regain yourself,” Michael started walking towards Lauren/Vivienne and Patrick disappeared into the cabin.

Seconds later, Patrick reappeared with a gun! He had a very sinister look on his face, and turned towards them both. He started walking towards them, step by step.

“Okay, enough is enough. Vivienne and I have a plan for the future and you are not in it. Right, Vivienne? We have it all worked out.”

Lauren/Vivienne wasn’t talking or moving. It appeared a battle was ensuing inside of her mind, of which she was oblivious, as her facial expressions were shifting abnormally from determination, to nervousness, to anger, to sadness, to prowess, and so forth. Michael noticed this as a good sign, but Patrick didn’t seem to care.

Lauren/Vivienne then flashed Michael a quick look of love that couldn’t be mistaken. Her face then hardened. She turned to look at Michael with disdain and hatred, her eyes so cold and hard he flinched and almost tripped backwards.

“Yes Patrick, I know what has to be done.”

Instantly, with a strength that could only come out of a superhero movie, Lauren/Vivienne karate-chopped Patrick’s gun-wielding arm and the gun went sprawling and sliding down the deck, towards the cabin.

“Michael, help me!” Lauren/Vivienne was struggling to push Patrick on the ground and Michael joined in to help, very stunned.

“You broke my arm you traitor! What are you doing Vivienne?” Patrick was fighting but Michael and Lauren/Vivienne had him on the deck floor.

Michael located the gun and snatched it up quickly, rushing back to see Lauren/Vivienne struggling to hold Patrick down.

“Okay, that’s enough Patrick. Game is over.” Michael pointed the pistol towards Patrick.

Patrick held up his hands. Michael already had his cell phone out and was dialing for help.

“I don’t want to be Vivienne anymore… unless I have to be,” Lauren stated, standing next to Michael.

“We will figure it out together,” Michael was so relieved this did not end too badly, but was very saddened by the entire experience. He was genuinely overwhelmed.

“I will turn the boat around and head us back to shore,” Lauren declared.

“Help is also on the way.”

Michael knew in his heart he would never see Lauren the same way ever again, but he did not want to leave her, or abandon her. Lauren had been rejected by family that had left her on her own accord and should have given her so much care and compassion. Now he understood why she always gave excuses about meeting them — such as they lived in other countries, were no longer alive, and so forth. That is also most likely why she was putting off having children. Who knows, maybe her family was the reason Vivienne was “born”?

He didn’t know how long she would be incarcerated for what happened tonight, but they would find her a very good attorney. Conclusively, he would also ensure there would never be secrets between them again. Ever again. Michael did not know, but Lauren had just made a very similar vow - which she intended to keep.