The Prince of Oregon by Sasha Quinn

Author:Sasha Quinn [Quinn, Sasha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-02-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Down At the Pier – Edward

Edward made sure that Edith got home safely and then started walking. He didn’t know where he was headed, he just wandered. The fact that the rain hadn’t picked up again was a surprise, even to a newcomer like him. He enjoyed the clear view as he walked back down the hill from Edith’s home toward the shore. He smiled to himself, able to hear Edith’s voice in his head—the woman was like an encyclopedia for facts about Astoria. He imagined her hearing him marvel at the lack of rain and replying: “Eddie, did you know that last year we had 28 days of rain in November? It’s truly a wonder we’re not waterlogged in the brain.”

It made him laugh as he followed the path down toward the shining shoreline and found himself at the edge of the famed Pier 2 that everyone talked about constantly. As he stood on the land edge of said pier, he ruminated on how surprising it was that he’d never been down here after everything. Mikey hadn’t shown it to him except for a drive-by in the truck. Edith pointed it out on the bus ride, but even Emma hadn’t brought him to the location she loved so much.

With a spring in his step, Edward ambled across the rickety planks, bringing him down the pier to the buildings situated at the end. Along the inner wall, barely covered from the elements, was what looked to be a shrine of some sort. He moved closer to see what all the photos and signs were about. The largest placard read: ASTORIA’S CANNERY WORKERS! Below it, Edward could see photos lined up of fishermen and cannery workers preserved in black and white.

“One of the oldest professions of the Pacific Northwest.”

Edward turned at the sound of the voice behind him. An older man approached, pointing at the display. “Canning was a huge part of Astorian life. Smell hasn’t improved since these guys moved on, though,” the man chuckled at his own joke.

“It’s quite a storied history you all have here,” Edward said.

“Ahh,” the man pointed right at Edward, realization crossing his face the moment he heard the accent. “You must be the prince.”

Edward smiled, “Indeed, what gave me away? Or has my photo begun to make the rounds here in Oregon as well?”

“Don’t get many accents like yours round these parts,” the man answered reaching his hand toward Edward to officially greet him and introduce himself. “Rick Prescott, heard looots about you recently.”

“Prescott,” Edward shook the man’s hand, pointing behind them to where he now saw the sign for Prescott’s Pacific. “Emma’s father.”

Rick nodded.

“Pleasure.”

“You certainly have caused a stir around here,” he said with a laugh. “Surprised none of those hooligans brought you down here before.”

“They’re the busy sort, I suppose,” Edward shrugged, turning back to the wall, “Sorry, but you said that canning was a huge part of Astorian life…”

“Mhm, yep. Canneries left. So we still got the fishing culture, but none of the factories work out of this area anymore.

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