Chapter 19

Jane Foley, the most senior member of the board of deacons,was the chair of the committee. “Last year, as you all remember, we had a very successful Thanksgiving dinner here at the church. We were able to have dinner with many of our church family and guests from the community who might not have had anywhere else to go.”

It was true. Thanksgiving had been one of our best community outreach programs. Many single persons and empty-nesters from our church, along with some families, shared a great thanksgiving meal in the church. Those who were able brought homemade dishes for the meal. We had donations of turkey and ham which I helped cook in the church kitchen. We invited many from the community who were down on their luck. We even had enough food to send leftovers home with everyone.

“The way the economy is going, I expect we’ll have even more this year,” said Rhonda, who always kept up with the latest economic news.

“I have no objections to working on a Thanksgiving dinner again. I’m sure Rhonda would love to be the main organizer again,” I said. Rhonda shot me a look. “And I’ll cook the main dishes. And it was great last year when people brought their favorite dishes to share.”

“Last year was wonderful,” chimed in Mary Bailey. “You all worked very hard.”

“Thanks!” replied Betty Chase, who hadn’t done a blessed thing but show up.

“I’m sure Betty would love to be in charge of this year’s clean up!” said Rhonda with an evil smile.

“That’s wonderful!” said Mary Bailey picking up on the theme. “Thank you for volunteering.”

“I’d be happy to do it,” said Betty who hadn’t volunteered and was not happy at all to do it either.

We spent another hour doing our planning, which in any other group but a church group could have been wrapped up in ten minutes. Rhonda and I headed back to Eagle’s Nest for a light supper.

“Thanks asshole for volunteering me to run it!” said Rhonda when we were out of earshot.

“I figured you could get rid of some more of your store’s junk as center pieces,” I answered.

“I don’t sell junk!”

“And that’s why you have all those leftover plastic light houses. And you did a good job nailing Betty Chase, by the way!”

“She’s a pompous twit!”

“The worse kind!”

She drove me back home where Argus gave her a warm greeting. I made bean sandwiches for our supper. I toasted two slices of bread, put on some farm-raised cooked bacon slices, covered them with baked beans, sprinkled on some grated cheese and placed them under the broiler until the cheese bubbled and turned slightly brown. We each had a bottle of Sea Dog Ale.

“So where’s Jackson?” I asked. “I haven’t seen your boyfriend in several days.”

“He’s visiting his kids.”

“And when are you two heading north for a vacation?”

“As soon as I think I can leave Viola alone in the store for a few days.”

“She’s fine,” I said. “You really don’t have to worry. And Brad can help out; he’s been with you for more than a year. Don’t be such a control freak,”

“And where is Tim?” she asked.

“Tim is in Bangor visiting his daughter at the university.”

“Any progress on the Riley murder?”

“I went to see Mrs. Lafond. She thinks Tim is dragging the case out because he doesn’t want to retire.”

“Makes sense to me,” said Rhonda. “And what about Bill Simpson? Has he solved that one?”

“Actually,” I answered. “I solved that one,” And then I told her about how Old Lady Lafond got me to figure that out. “I’ve only told you and Tim. We should probably keep it quiet and respect Billy’s privacy.”

“Excellent idea! When are Jason and Monica due back?”

“Sometime next week, I believe.”

“Do you think they’re doing it?” asked Rhonda with a wicked smile as she took another drink.

“Do bears shit in the woods?”

 

It seems that no matter how many projects I finish, or how many loose ends I tie up, there is always something more to do. I used to get really annoyed with friends who were recently retired and would say “I’m busier now than when I was working. I don’t know where my time goes.” I always wanted to bitch-slap them, but now I was turning into one of them. I really think the human condition is to stay busy and fill up the days.

I had just finished up Jason and Monica’s wedding, and now had to plan for the church Thanksgiving. I achieved very little progress on my cookbook, and I was probably behind in filling orders at Erebus. In addition I needed to prepare the gardens for winter, rake up the remaining fallen leaves, clean the house, start Christmas shopping, and any number of other things.

None of these things was going to get done today, however. I was taking the day off. I harnessed Argus up and we went for a walk. It was cool and brisk and felt good to be out and around. My neighbors were all out raking leaves. I waved to the Lowells as I went by and waved to Beth White who was scraping frost off her windshield.

“Hi Beth, settling in okay?”

“So far, so good! I’m not happy about the frost!”

“Welcome to Maine,” I said. Argus and I turned the corner and headed down the street to town. The frost was evident on all the parked cars along the way. There was a slight fog on the river because the air temperature was cooler than the water temperature. Being out and about I felt a little better and decided to do some work at Erebus. Viola was working.

“Good morning, Jesse! Hello Argus,” said Viola as I entered the shop. Argus was jumping up and giving Viola licks. Today she was dressed in a skirt and blouse of army camouflage.

“Nice dress,” I said. “I can barely see you!”

“Oh, Jesse, you are a hoot!”

“Is the old bitty in?” I asked. “I didn’t seen Rhonda’s car outside anywhere.”

“She called this morning and asked if I could open. She seemed a little agitated.”

“Oh, good! Just what we need!” I couldn’t think what had agitated Rhonda, as I had just seen her last night and she was fine.

“Well, better she’s at home if she is agitated,” responded Viola.

“Amen to that,” I answered. “Could you look after Argus for a few minutes? I’ll go to the coffee shop and get us some coffee?”

“No problem, Jesse,” she answered.

I walked down the street to the coffee shop. Brian Stillwater was behind the counter. We exchanged greetings and I got two coffees to go. Brian was dressed in his usual Native American accoutrements.

“I’m planning on beginning the spiritual discussion group next week. Can you make it?”

“Sure, and I have a few people to bring, too.”

“Great, should be fun. Have a great day,” he said and turned to wait on some other costumers, most of whom looked like they needed an immediate caffeine fix.

When I got back to the office and turned on the computer, I was sorry I had come in. The orders were waiting, and they would take me nearly the whole morning to process. I was going to have to hit up Rhonda for a raise pretty soon. Argus spent the morning following Viola around the shop and then hiding and sleeping under my desk.

By noon I had finished the orders and was about to close up when I felt a presence in the room and looked up.

“I thought you were still in Bangor,” I said to Tim as he stood in the doorway.

“Just got back this morning. Jessica is coming home for Thanksgiving.”

“That’s great!” I said. Jessica had spent last Thanksgiving with friends. Even though he said it was fine at the time, I think he was disappointed.

“Do you think the Lowells would watch Argus for a few days?” Argus has been sleeping, but when he heard his name he jumped up and rushed over to Tim.

“I’m sure they would,” I answered. “Why?”

“We’re going to Lake Placid!” said Tim

“Lake Placid?”

“Jack Riley’s last business trip was to Lake Placid, New York. I thought I would do a little investigating and mix business with pleasure.”

“I’m in! When are we going?”

“Tomorrow morning!”