Subj: Chapter 1 Kate
Date: 4/13/00 9:52:07 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Karen

Chapter 1

Kate's VW camper van looked a bit out of place in Collinsport. Its blue roof painted with stars and the sun and moon designs on the sides made it stick out like a sore thumb. Kate began to wish she had driven her grandmother's old Caddy. At least it wouldn't stand out in this grey place. Kate shook her head, causing her earrings to bang against her neck. Oh, well, she thought, it's too late now. As she pulled into the gas station, she could feel the stares of the townsfolk. Turning off the engine, she got out of her car and waited for the attendant. An older fellow with a shirt that said "Earl" came up to her and said, "Filler up, miss?"

Kate nodded her head, watching him stare at her out of the corner of his eye. She stared right back. She should have been used to the stares by now. Every since she arrived in Maine, she had endured strange looks from the locals. Since she was dressed in jeans with peace sign, heart and rainbow patches, with an embroidered peasant blouse and love beads, she shouldn't have been so surprised. Her waist-length blonde hair was curly and she wore no make-up. The leather sandals on her feet drew attention to the flowers painted on her big toes and the toe ring she wore. It was as if no one watched television or read the newspapers. Hadn't anyone seen a hippie before? She hoped that her long-lost family didn't look at her the same way Earl was. Kate could see that he was anxious to talk to her, but not sure how to begin. It was as if she were an alien from another planet. Earl screwed up his courage and asked, "Are you one of those hippie girls I've heard about?"

Kate almost laughed out loud. "Yes, I guess you could say that," she replied, her green eyes sparkling. "Can you tell me how to get to Collinwood?"

Earl crinkled his eyes and asked, "You got business with the Collins family? I don't rightly know if they have ever seen anyone like you. They might turn you away."

Kate looked at Earl with determination in her eyes and said, "I don't think they will turn me away. My name is Kate Collins."

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.