Turtle Kraals Redux, Buffet in Key West — William Williamson

As Jake, Bull, Corky, Cat and Henry, get quiet and go about eating dinner, Henry reflects on how events and people alter not only a person's life but a town, too. Life is about choices and changes he decides looking around Turtle Kraals. Tons of money has been spent extensively renovating and remodeling the restaurant and marina since he was last there.

To Henry, Key West is wrestling with dualities by accenting its decadent ties with the past while re-sculpting the town to appear aesthetically pleasing to the new wave of tourists that drive, fly and come off the cruise ships with fat wallets and purses full of plastic credit cards.

Henry's heard age can soften a man's heart. He's seeing that in his father tonight for the first time after Jake learned Corky came down to the Keys to confide he's his biological son. Henry also knows a woman's presence can soften a man's heart, as well. He's watched Bull's sudden enamored attention to Cat since she had her hair styled and a makeover earlier at a beauty salon on Duval.

Bull's offered them both jobs, places to live and invites to a midnight bacchanalian party on the Pleasure Odyssey anchored out in the Bight. A Key West welcome doesn't get any swimmingly but Henry knows Jake and questions the sincerity of his tears and promises to Corky. As for Bull's candor, he's probably up-front but Henry's dubious about his motives with Cat. He sees lust in Bull's eyes though he's old enough to be Cat's father. Nevertheless, Henry's kept his promise by bringing them to the table. They can have their buffet in Key West. He's found his second novel's theme. If life isn't tarnished in youth, with age, time has no allegiance.