by Cathy Elliot
Annie watched item after item auctioned off, some for fantastic prices, others going for much less than she would have expected. And Alice had been right. Each item shown by itself seemed less shabby and more desirable than Annie had imagined. When she noticed a teal-green, overstuffed chair up for bid, she tapped Alice’s arm.
“Where did that come from? Isn’t it beautiful? I wonder where I could put something like that.”
“That’s the same ugly rocker-recliner we previewed earlier,” whispered Alice. “I told you everything looks new when they display it up front. I can’t figure it out. It’s like magic.”
“Oh, right.” Annie put her paddle back in her lap.
Several nice dressers were auctioned off before Alice’s pick came up for bid. She played it smart, waiting to see the level of interest on the item. It was modest. As the auctioneer began chanting, “Going once, going twice …” Alice raised her paddle and added another ten dollars to the bid. She only had to repeat the process one more time before the other bidder decided to drop out and try for a different, more affordable dresser.
“Sold to bidder number 15!” Tommy O’Connor’s voice rang out over the PA.
Excited, Annie gave a little clap and turned to Alice. “Congratulations! You got it.”
“Thanks,” Alice said, apparently choosing to play it cool, again busy checking her list. “I wonder how long we’ll have to wait until that Autoharp comes up. Can’t you just imagine me zinging my way through My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean?”
“No, I cannot,” Annie said. “Look! Is that one of the wicker pieces?” She spun her paddle in a nervous warm-up, ready to win one for the porch. Though it wasn’t a sure thing; there seemed to be so much interest in the wicker lot during the preview.
“Good luck, Annie,” Alice said. “Remember: hold to your limit. There are lots of pieces. You’ll get another chance.”
But each time Annie bid, the woman in the blue top thrust her paddle into the air and just held it there until everyone else quit bidding. It didn’t seem to matter how high the price went either. When the fifth wicker chair came up for bid, Annie didn’t even put up her paddle.
“That woman is a glutton. Who can compete against her?” Annie said, thoroughly frustrated. “I’m not bothering to bid this time.”
Tommy’s voice announced, “Twenty-five, twenty-five … who will give me twenty-five dollars?”
Alice nudged Annie. “She’s not bidding on this one. So you can try for it. Bid!”
“It won’t matter if I do; Miss Blue Top will outbid me anyway.” Annie put up her paddle.
“Sold! To bidder number 29.”
“That’s my number. My goodness, I won!” Annie couldn’t believe her luck.
“Congratulations. You can have Wally paint it for you. It will be beautiful. Good for you, Annie.” Alice beamed like a proud mama.
“I wonder why Blue Top didn’t bid.”
“Maybe she had all the chairs she needed. She got four; that’s a set. Or she got tired of holding up that heavy paddle.” Alice was full of suggestions. “Don’t worry about it.”
But Annie wasn’t so sure, and her happy mood began to drain away. She needed some good food, not just snacks. “How long does this go on?” she asked. Since she had won the chair, there was less reason to stay at the auction.
“Don’t you want to see what Betsy’s pillow will go for? And what about the frames?”
“Won’t they come up much later? Couldn’t we take a break and go get a late lunch?”
“We’ll lose our seats,” Alice said. “We might have to stand.”
“I feel like standing, actually. Many people are leaving, anyway, now that they’ve gotten their items of choice.” Annie indicated the unfilled seats scattered about.
“OK. Wait here; I see Peggy. Let me find out if The Cup & Saucer is able to handle all the extra people in town today. If there’s a long wait, we might as well stay here. I’m sure we’re not the only ones who want lunch.” Alice placed her paddle on the seat and walked over to Peggy, standing in the back.
Annie watched the women chat for a bit before giving the room another scan. She noted that Stella was no longer in her seat, but Mary Beth still occupied hers. Gwendolyn continued her service in the snack area. And Kate was nowhere to be seen.
When Alice returned, she had good news. “Peggy is about to go on duty. If we wait fifteen or twenty minutes, she’ll do her best to fit us in. So that gives us a chance to pay for our purchases; then we’ll go for lunch.”
They stood in a short line to run credit cards and then left. Soon they waited at the entrance of The Cup & Saucer with a few other folks. Motioning for Annie to stay in line, Alice stepped inside. When she peeked out, she beckoned Annie forward.
“We have to share a table,” Alice said, as Peggy led them across the packed restaurant. “But I think this is going to work. It’s with Kate and Vanessa.”
“What? How did you manage that?” Annie was both pleased and frightened. How would Kate react? Did she know they were joining her?
“Peggy felt you two needed to talk. So she’s behind this little conspiracy.” Alice squeezed Annie’s hand. As they approached the table, Vanessa looked up in shock.
“Vanessa, why don’t you slip over there next to your mother, so we can double up with another couple of customers?” Peggy said with cheer she probably didn’t feel.
Trying not to make more eye contact, the teen slid out of the booth and moved in next to Kate.
Peggy laid a couple of menus on the table. “Ladies? Enjoy your meal.”
“Hi, Kate. Thanks for making room,” Alice said, sliding into the vacant bench. “I’m starving.”
Annie took a deep breath and slid in next to Alice. “Me too.”
Kate stared at Annie. “We’re leaving.”
17
“But Mom! We can’t leave now!” Vanessa held her seat as Kate tried to slide out of the booth. “We already ordered.” Her look appeared one of desperation. And resolve.
“Vanessa, move over,” Kate said, flashing an intense sideways look that seemed to signal a warning. She pushed again, but her daughter didn’t budge. “Vanessa!”
“No, no, I’ll leave,” Annie said, getting up.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Alice pulled her down. “And neither are you, Kate. It’s time you two talked. Past time.” She looked from Kate to Annie and back again.
Kate glared across the table as Alice continued. “Now, you’re both going to sit here and talk. Peggy arranged this meeting because she cares for both of you and doesn’t like what’s happening. This is destroying our Hook and Needle group. Annie’s about at the end of her tether, and I’ve definitely had enough! Vanessa, what about you?”
Watching Alice, the teen stared wide-eyed. She nodded her agreement in silence.
“There, you see? Even our Stony Point children are in agreement. Vanessa, come with me.” Alice stood and waited for Vanessa to wrench herself out of the booth. “You women have something to talk about. Vanessa and I will just sit at those two open spots at the counter. Then you can have your privacy. Bon appétit.”
Alice had made it happen. Here was Annie’s opportunity.
“Can we talk, Kate? Just for a few minutes?”
Kate didn’t reply, instead staring out the window.
I’ll take that as a green light. Annie struggled to remember just how to start.
“I’ve noticed that we’ve become a bit distant all of a sudden.”
Well, that was an understatement. She needed to focus or Kate would end the conversation before it began.
Annie tried again. “I’ve been bothered by the gap growing between us.” For some reason, her speech seemed silly and rehearsed.
Kate now stared at Annie. “Don’t think being Betsy’s granddaughter will get you off. I’m still not talking to you.” She crossed her arms and looked away.
“But why? Can’t you tell me why? Please let me make it right, Kate!
” Annie swallowed hard. “I … I miss you.”
Kate dropped her eyes. “I simply couldn’t believe it. But it’s unforgivable. I can’t overlook it.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” Annie stared at Kate, perplexed.
Kate shook her head. “When Harry told me that you’d been flirting with him, hitting on him actually, well--” Kate gave Annie an agonized look. “Don’t you know I’m still not over him? How could you? I thought you were my friend!”
“Me? Flirting with Harry? You mean your ex-husband?” Annie struggled to understand. And why would anyone say such a thing about her? And why would Harry, whom she had never met? It defied all logic.
“Oh, Kate! It isn’t true. I’ve never even met him, never spoken to him, never seen him, never before that night at the Fish House.” Annie’s eyes burned and she blinked back tears.
“What are you saying?” Kate sat up straight. “That Harry is lying?”
Annie couldn’t agree out loud. She reworded her response.
“I’m saying it’s only been a year since Wayne passed away. He was the love of my life. My heart is broken, Kate. I’m not interested in anyone else! Certainly not now and maybe not ever.” Her voice wavered and a single tear spilled down her cheek. “I miss my husband every minute of every day.”
Kate was quiet and then finally spoke. “Of course. I didn’t think about that when Harry said all those things about you and him. Well, then he lied to me.” Kate looked defeated. “I guess I fell for his line again … believed him again.”
“I can tell you still care for him too,” Annie said, her kindness genuine. Sometimes it can take a long time for love to fade.
“God help me, I do. The scoundrel. What I don’t understand is why he would accuse you of coming on to him.”
“Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe he thought I was someone else.”
“I doubt it,” Kate said. Then her gaze softened. “Annie, I’m so sorry! I’ve done a terrible thing, setting our friends against you. I guess my pride kept me from confronting you with the whole story. Which turned out to be another of Harry’s lies. Can you forgive me?”
Relief washed over Annie. “Of course I forgive you. And it’s all forgotten too. Friends don’t hold grudges,” she said, patting Kate’s hand. “Now let’s order lunch. I’m starved.”
Alice and Vanessa returned to the table, and soon they all plunged into the cook’s special, fish and chips. By the time Peggy delivered a huge hot fudge sundae with four spoons on the side, the mood in that particular booth radiated amity. Annie couldn’t remember when she’d last felt so light of heart.
“Did you find anything at the auction, Kate?” Annie asked, thinking about the other items that still tempted her, the box of frames in particular. Maybe she and Alice could dash back before the frames were history.
Kate glanced at her daughter. “I bid on a cute side table for Vanessa’s room. The style seemed Victorian to me, though I don’t know my antiques like you, Alice.”
“Was it two-tiered and kind of … well, battered?” Alice probed for details as she spooned up some fudge-covered ice cream. “If so, you are spot on.”
“That’s the one. But I plan to freshen it up with some paint. Which reminds me, we better go get it and get going,” Kate said, glancing at her daughter. “It’s Harry’s turn to have Vanessa for the weekend. I have a few things I want to discuss with him.”
“Oh-oh.” Annie didn’t even want to know about this conversation. “Remember, he might have made a mistake.”
“He’d better hope he did. Believe me.” Kate’s tone told everyone she was more than serious. She slid out of the booth after her daughter and tucked some bills under the salt shaker. “But first, I have to talk with some Hook and Needle friends.”
Annie grinned. Then she remembered something. “Speaking of the Hook and Needlers, can I ask you something before you go?”
“Anything.”
“Well, earlier this week, they had figured out that I found something from World War II in Gram’s attic.”
“I remember.” Kate raised her brows. “So we were right?”
“On target. I found military medals with no owner,” Annie answered. “Do you know if Harry’s grandfather was a war hero?”
“Pops? No way. He did serve during the war, but he never talks about it. Harold Stevens is the meekest man I’ve ever known.” Kate covered Vanessa’s ears in jest. “He’s no hero … war or otherwise.”
“Mom!” Vanessa pulled her mother’s hands away. “I’m not a baby.”
“Of course not. But you’re my baby,” Kate said, dismissing the complaint. “So Annie, does this mean I can discuss the World War II medals with the others?”
“Discuss away,” Annie said. “I’m especially interested to know if there was a local boy who became a hero. Perhaps you could talk to Harry--”
“Oh, I’ll be talking to Harry all right. Don’t worry about that.” Kate’s eyes narrowed.
“Do you mind if I talk to Harold? He is your family, after all. I did a little sleuthing and found out he lives at Ocean View Assisted Living,” Annie said.
“Why didn’t you just ask me? I could have told you that!” Kate said; then she grew thoughtful. “Oh. I guess you couldn’t talk to me, could you?”
“That’s behind us, remember?” Annie smiled. “Alice and I were talking about Harold last night at dinner and decided we should explore all of the information he is willing to share. What if he has an important clue?”
Alice spoke up then. “And maybe Stella knows something too. I bet she might be able to clarify some of what happened back then.”
“Absolutely. Talk to Stella. And talk to Harold with my blessing. He’s a sweet old guy. Oh, this is so exciting. Consider me on the case,” Kate said, her good humor returning as she winked at Annie and then sobered. “And thanks … for being so forgiving.”
Annie waved her off and, as Kate and Vanessa left to pay their bill, turned to Alice. “Thank you for making this happen. I’m so glad it’s over.”
“Me too. Now we can go back to normal.”
“That sounds like heaven.” Annie dug in her purse for some cash. “Alice, this is my treat. I owe you so much more than a free lunch.”
“Nonsense! But thanks. Let’s hurry back to the church and see what’s left. Maybe that Autoharp is still up for grabs.”
The crowd had thinned by half when they returned to the auction. Tommy O’Connor’s voice still rang out over the speakers, calling a bidding war between two Autoharp devotees. “Fifteen dollars. Fifteen dollars. This is a good deal folks. Who will give me twenty?”
“Twenty!” Alice called out and then clapped her hand over her mouth. Annie laughed and wandered over to the boxed lots that were left, pleased to see that the frames had not yet gone up for bid.
Where was Gram’s pillow? It must have already sold. Disappointed to have missed that sale, Annie looked for her afghans among the boxes and couldn’t find them either.
She did a scan of the room and realized that none of the other friends remained. Even Gwendolyn was gone, having done more than her share of volunteer work in Annie’s opinion. She wondered if they were all with Kate and smiled at the idea.
After Alice had won her Autoharp and Annie the frames, they paid for their items and walked outside to where volunteers were stacking auction items for pickup. Wally worked among the helpers, waving at them between boxes.
“Let’s take the small stuff with us and then bring the car around for your chair. I’ll have to see if someone can deliver my dresser,” Alice said.
To her surprise, Annie saw her chair being carried out by Ian Butler. “Isn’t this a bit beyond your job description, Mr. Mayor?”
“I think everyone helping out is going beyond his or her comfort zone. But that’s Stony Point. Volunteerism is second nature to these folks.” He sat the chair down and grinned. “Nice buy, Annie. Too bad about the broken leg. But I bet Wally can fix it for you.�
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So that was the reason Annie had gotten the chair so cheap--the broken leg. This was the chair Annie had meant to skip. Quickly checking her item list, she saw no note at all next to that lot number. She recalled when the chair had come up for bid. It looked perfect from the fifth row. Annie had been so excited that Miss Blue Top hadn’t bid on this one that she bid without checking her list. Not that it would have helped.
“Wally does seem able to fix anything,” Annie said, hoping she was right. Walking around the chair, she examined the defect. What could she do but make the best of it? “Once the leg is repaired, it will look great on my porch. Whenever I sit in it, I’ll remember my first auction experience in Stony Point.”
Mike Malone brought out the box of frames and the Autoharp. Alice took it from him and held it like a baby. “I am so pleased that I bid on this. Just wait until I’m an Autoharp virtuoso.” She strummed a C chord with her fingernails. It was out of tune.
“I think that can be fixed,” Annie said, wincing a little. “But I’m not sure Wally can help in this case.”
Ian relieved Mike of the box of frames and set them in the chair. “Annie, I was about to call it a day. May I walk you to your car? Perhaps I could get a glimpse of those medals before you go.”
Ian’s input could bring her one step closer to solving the mystery.
“Sure. Then I’ll bring the car back and pick up the chair. It might fit into the backseat.” Annie said. “Once I take those bulky medals out.”
“If the chair doesn’t fit, Ms. Dawson, I can bring it by for you. I’ll be doing deliveries tomorrow afternoon. That includes your dresser, Alice. Look for it around three o’clock,” Mike said before he disappeared into the building.
Alice, hugging her Autoharp, walked beside Annie and the mayor to the edge of the church parking lot, parting company so Alice could cross over to the lot at the town hall. The women said a quick farewell, and Annie and Ian continued the short distance to her car.
As they approached it, Ian rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “This is all so intriguing. I wonder if we’ll be able to declare some unknown serviceman a hero. Wouldn’t that be something?”