Column 9 -
Taylor, Clarisse and Barbara
Let’s take a look at three of the minor characters and see what it is about their backgrounds that made them react as they did.

Taylor Whitcomb-
Taylor was conceived of as a woman from old Northeast money. As such she moves in a rarefied atmosphere where people are highly privileged. There are relatively few families in such circles and new blood is rare.
Andre would have been intriguing to her. A breath of fresh air. He was an exotic, handsome man who was making his mark in the world of investment banking. Suddenly there was a new face in her world. A world which could have been quite predictable and boring to her. She found him virtually irresistible and fell in love.

But then she had to confront the reality of St. Lucia and the fact that Andre was thoroughly imbued with his island origins. No matter that he could move smoothly through the upper echelons of New York. It became clear that Andre wanted his base to be a home on a breezy hill in St. Lucia, not a dramatic apartment overlooking Central Park. And for Taylor there was the issue of the children she saw in her future. She would have already picked out the proper schools for them and to have them grow up on an island and go off to boarding school someday would not have been in her plans.

And, then, of course, there was Jamie. She could see the spark between Jamie and Andre and the fact that Jamie was able to adapt to island life.

Taylor came to understand that Andre would never give up where he came from and, in the end, she could not give up where she came from. Not being prone to live on hope and fantasy, Taylor faced facts. Her head came to rule her heart. Andre could be a friend but not a husband.

Clarisse Demontagne-
Clarisse was dealt some hard blows in life. She lost her parents at an early age and it had devastating effects on her.

When children face a personal tragedy they cannot explain, it is not uncommon for them to explain the event negatively in terms of themselves. All too often they see the event as indicative of some failure on their part. In Clarisse’s eyes the death of her parents was a punishment she deserved.

Then came the tragedy of her daughter, Lilabet. Illness, institutionalization and finally death. Could this again have been an indication to her that she deserved punishment. In the face of these blows she retreated from her children and her marriage. Her depression, regret and guilt would have only intensified. All she had left was the preservation of the family heritage and assets.

That is, until beautiful Jamie came along. The lovely daughter she might have had. The events with Jamie and who she proved to be represented a last chance for Clarisse. It would have been a formidable act of will for her to rise to the occasion. But she took the opportunity fate had offered her and seized it so she could re-enter her life and the lives of her family.

Barbara Carey-
Jamie could not have been more fortunate. Right in the middle of an island filled with pitfalls she found a woman who was the salt of the earth. What are the odds of finding such a benevolent and dedicated guide on a small tropical island?

Barbara comes from Baltimore, a.k.a. Balmur, Murilun to the initiated. You couldn’t want a better grounded and loyal friend. Again and again she came to Jamie’s rescue with sound advise and support.
While Bertille was bringing guidance from the "spirit" world, Barbara was bringing guidance from the "real" world. Lucky Jamie to have two such dedicated guides coming into her life.

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