by Patricia Fry
“What about you, Auntie and Max?” Savannah asked.
Max looked at his wife. “Yeah, what about us?”
Margaret crossed her arms in front of herself and pouted. “Oh, I don’t know.” When she noticed all eyes were on her, she said, “I’m probably going to be busy that day.”
Max frowned at his wife. “Well, I’m not too busy to help. I signed up to cook. In fact, I might run the kitchen.”
“Cool,” Michael said. “Yeah, I imagine you’ve had a lot of experience doing that.”
Max nodded.
“Most recently at the Kaiser Bed-and-Breakfast,” Iris said, smiling.
Max returned her smile. “That’s a fact. Say, how’s Mattie doing, by the way?”
“Very well,” Iris said, shaking her head. “Things are going so smoothly at the inn that I’ve been pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
“That’s wonderful,” Max said. “So the place is purring like a kitten, huh?”
Margaret smiled at her husband, then asked, “How are those beautiful cuddle cats, Iris?”
“Great. Francine has them all on a schedule. She’s like the pied piper of cats. You ought to see them follow her around.”
“Are you getting a lot of requests for overnight cuddle cats?” Savannah asked.
Iris nodded. “Yes. Probably three every weekend. We’re considering opening the inn full time, although I think I’ll ease into it by opening Thursday through Sunday during the holidays and maybe think about staying open twenty-four seven after the first of the year. It’s a little scary to make such a commitment.” She raised her eyebrows. “But Ruth and Rupert are doing a great job of managing the place.” She added, “Confidentially, I’m pleasantly surprised at how well they’re doing.”
“But you’re still afraid to commit to being open more?” Michael asked. “Why?”
Iris thought for a moment. “I guess what I’m afraid of is change. Don’t want to try fixing what ain’t broke.”
Savannah smiled at Iris, then focused more seriously on Margaret. “So, Auntie, what’s the problem with you and the homeless people? Don’t you want to help the hungry?” She winked at her. “Or are you holding back, hoping you can take care of baby Rosemary that day?”
Margaret’s face lit up. “Yeah, that’s it. I’ll watch the little kids while you all slop food.”
“Can Lily play on the playground?” Colbi asked. “I volunteered to help entertain the children.” She looked at Brianna. “You signed up for playground duty too, right?”
Brianna nodded. “Yes, preferably the little ones. They have that separate area for preschoolers. That’s where I want to be.”
“Me too,” Colbi said. “What about it, Maggie? Want to help us entertain the children?”
Her eyes wide, Margaret said, “Yeah, maybe I could do that. It’s just for kids, right?”
“Well, yes,” Colbi said. “Why would any adults want to be on the playground?”
Iris cocked her head. “And why would you care, Maggie?”
“Yeah, Auntie, tell us why you’re so reluctant to help out,” Savannah urged.
Margaret shrugged. “No reason.”
“Don’t give us that,” Brianna scolded. “If you don’t tell us, I’ll call your sister.” She picked up her cell phone. “I’ll bet she knows.”
Margaret let out a sigh. “No, don’t call your mother. Okay, I’ll tell you.” She glanced around at the others. “Well, Gladys and I volunteered to serve Thanksgiving dinner as a project through one of her women’s group years ago. Bri, you and Vannie were still small.”
Brianna laughed. “I can see Mom doing it, but not you. Weren’t you kind of wild then? How did they rope you into it?”
Margaret stiffened. “My first husband had just died and I was kind of floating through life without much purpose. I guess your mother thought volunteering would somehow help me and she talked me into it.”
“So what happened?” Savannah asked. “Were you turned off by their bad table manners?”
Margaret shook her head.
“Was there a food fight?” Brianna asked, grinning.
“No.”
Craig looked across the room at Margaret. “A fist fight?”
“No,” Margaret insisted. “But there was an altercation.” When she noticed everyone waiting to hear more, she said quietly, “It had to do with the animals.”
“The people were acting like animals?” Colbi asked.
“No, animals were being mistreated.” Margaret hesitated. “There was this dog with an awful abscess. I was clearing some plates from a table, when I accidently stepped on the dog’s paw. I didn’t see him. He was under a chair and his paw was sticking out. He yelped and, when I leaned down to apologize to the poor dog, I saw it.” She glanced around at the others before continuing. “…a nasty-looking sore. I approached the owner and told him the dog needed medical treatment. He practically spat in my face, telling me the dog was fine and it was none of my business. When his friends heard him raise his voice, they joined him and they began saying all kinds of ugly things to me.”
“Why didn’t you just walk away?” Damon asked.
“I started to do just that, but discovered I was surrounded by homeless people—smelly homeless people, all yelling at me. I was trapped and no one had the courage, I guess, to help me out of the situation. I’ll tell you, I was scared. I didn’t know what they’d do. And all because I wanted to help that poor dog.”
“What happened, Auntie?” Savannah asked.
“Finally, I saw a way I could escape between two of the men, so I squeezed through and just left. I locked myself in your mother’s car and waited until she came to rescue me. We didn’t have cell phones then. Of course, Gladys had looked all over for me before she found me. She had no idea what had happened. She said she saw the guys make a circle and she heard the shouts, but she thought they were just being a little boisterous, and she ignored them.”
“How long did you wait in the car?” Colbi asked.
“About twenty minutes, I think. And I swore I’d never do anything involving the homeless again.”
Michael chuckled. “That sounds awfully frightening, Maggie. And good for you for trying to help the dog. But I don’t think anything like that will happen this time.”
“How can you be so sure?” she challenged.
“Because Bud and I’ll be on duty tending to their animals. Did you know that?”
Margaret looked at him. “Yes, you mentioned that at Colbi’s and Damon’s shower last week. I’m glad you’re doing that. It’ll be a great service for the animals.”
Michael nodded. “I, too, have noticed the plight of the animals that live with homeless people.” He glanced around at the others. “Not all of them, of course. Some of those animals are well cared for. But, as we know, there are disturbed people on the streets, barely able to take care of themselves and probably totally incapable of caring properly for an animal. The one thing most of them can’t afford is veterinary care.” He took a deep breath. “I discussed my concerns with Pastor Sheila and she has agreed to provide a room at the church where the homeless can bring their dogs and cats and other pets to Bud and me for a free check-up, inoculations, medications for infections, and, the most important thing, education.”
Margaret put her hands together under her chin. “Bless you, Michael.” She nodded toward Bud. “What a great service the two of you’ll be providing. That does make me feel a lot better, but I’m still not sure I’ll ever be comfortable around those people again. I mean, I felt so helpless! I was certain I’d be beaten to a pulp. It was awful.”
“I’ll bet it was,” Savannah said, putting her arms around her aunt. “I agree with Colbi. Why don’t you hang with her and Bri and keep an eye on the kids?”
“What if it rains?” Margaret asked.
Colbi’s face lit up. “They have that covered. They’re opening a Sunday school classroom for naps and quiet activities—coloring, puzz
les, games... We can use it in case of rain.”
Margaret took a deep breath. “Okay, yeah, I guess I could do that.” Her voice a mere squeak, she asked, “Can I bring a bodyguard?”
Iris smiled across the room at her friend. “Maggie, you said it yourself last week; lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. You’ll be okay.”
“But just in case,” Brianna added, straight-faced, “don’t step on any dogs’ paws.”
Chapter 2
“Happy Turkey Day, Max,” Savannah greeted when she and Michael arrived at the church early Thanksgiving morning with Lily.
“Hi.” Max poked Lily gently in the tummy. “Gobble gobble.”
Lily giggled, then pointed. “Kitty. My kitty.”
“Yes, I see you brought your kitty.” Max leaned down and ran his hand over Rags’s plush grey-and-white fur. “Hi there, old boy.”
Savannah looked around. “Where’s my aunt?”
“Hiding out, I suppose.”
“Oh, is she still frightened of the homeless people?”
Max grimaced. “I don’t think she slept a wink last night.” He motioned with his head. “I believe she’s with Colbi and your sister at the playground.”
Savannah gazed in that direction. “Good, I’ll take Lily over there. Michael, do you need help setting up the clinic?”
“I don’t think so. Bud should be here soon and our…um…guests probably won’t arrive for another few hours, right?”
“Right,” Max agreed.
“Guess I’ll go to work in the kitchen then,” Savannah said. “Max, that’s where you’re headed, right?”
“Sure am. We cooked the turkeys and hams yesterday and carved them last night. The pies are ready to bake. We’ll do that first thing this morning. Then we’ll heat the meat and dressing in the oven while we cook the mashed potatoes and vegetables.”
“Sounds like you can use some help; I’ll join you in a few minutes,” she promised.
Michael glanced out over the tables and chairs set up on a grassy area and spilling onto the parking lot. “Looks like they expect a crowd—what, maybe a hundred?”
“Yeah, but the diners will most likely come and go,” Savannah said. “…so there could be twice or three times that number.”
Michael scratched his head. “That’s right. Better go get set up. Hope we have enough products.” He took Lily from Savannah. “I’ll help you get her settled.” When Savannah protested, he said, “I want to see where she’ll be.”
“Oh, okay,” she agreed, taking Rags’s leash from him. “The little kids’ playground is right around the corner there.”
“This is pretty nice,” Michael said as they approached the enclosed area, which featured several pieces of colorful playground equipment designed for small children. “I’ve never paid much attention to this area before. Why haven’t we brought her in here to play?”
Savannah shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know; maybe because she’s usually dressed in her Sunday clothes when we come to church.”
“You brought your cat?” Margaret shrieked when she saw Savannah and Michael come through the playground gate with Lily and Rags.
Savannah ignored her comment. “Hi, Auntie. How’re you feeling?”
Margaret stared down at the cat. “I was okay until I saw him here.”
Savannah let out a sigh. “Now, Auntie, let’s not be overly dramatic. Michael’s going to keep him in the exam room. You know he’s been a therapy cat before. Well, he’s Michael’s therapy cat today, for dogs and cats that might be frightened or timid.”
When Margaret looked up at Michael, he shrugged. “That’s what she tells me.”
“Well, keep him away from my children; that’s all I ask,” she grumbled good-naturedly.
Savannah shook her head disgustedly at her aunt. “What do you mean? He loves children.”
“What do I mean?” Margaret repeated, looking Savannah in the eye. “Must I remind you of the messes he’s gotten us into? You really want to risk him causing trouble here?”
“Oh Auntie, you exaggerate.” She ran her hand over the cat’s fur. “He’s a good boy, aren’t you, Ragsie?”
“Yeah, when he isn’t running away from home, stealing, and digging up things better left buried.”
“Swing,” Lily chirped. “Slide.” She took Michael’s face in her little hands so he would look at her. “Swing, Daddy?”’
Margaret reached for the toddler. “Auntie will take you on the swing. Want to swing with Auntie?”
“Be a good girl,” Michael said, kissing Lily on the cheek before relinquishing her to Margaret. “And have fun. Looks like a fun playground.” He glanced around. “Maggie, is there a place where she can rest if she wants to?”
Margaret pointed. “Yes, they can nap in the classroom there and paint, play with puzzles, eat their lunch.” She hugged Lily to her. “We’re going to have lots of fun, aren’t we, sweetie? Tell Daddy bye-bye.”
“Bye, punkin,” he said, waving. He took the cat’s leash from Savannah and said, for Margaret’s benefit, “Come on, Rags before you live up to your reputation.”
Margaret frowned. “You have a cage for him, don’t you, Michael?”
“Yeah. I’ll set it up in the exam room.” He grinned at her. “Don’t worry; he won’t bother any of your children.” He blew a kiss to Lily. “Daddy will see you later. Have fun with your aunties.” He then picked up the lanky grey-and-white cat and left through the gate.
“Bye, hon,” Savannah called after him.
“Hi, Savannah and Miss Lily,” Colbi greeted as she approached. “You’re our third customer.” She took the toddler from Margaret and spun around with her. When she stopped, she pointed. “See, Lily, there’s your Aunt Bri coloring with Blake and Sierra.” She said to Savannah, “Their parents are helping out today, too. You know Tad and Carmen.”
Savannah nodded, then asked, “So you have access to the pre-school classroom? They have nap pads in the closet there. Lily might want to take a nap around eleven. Will there be someone to sit with the children inside?”
“Yes. There’ll be two other women, so we’ll have two for inside the classroom and three for the playground.”
“Unless we get swamped on the playground, then they’ll come out here and help,” Margaret explained.
“Or we’ll entice some of the children into the classroom,” Colbi said. “We can’t have more than a handful of kids on the playground at one time unless we have enough help. We don’t want little children running in front of the swings or falling off the slide.”
Savannah smiled. “Sounds like you have it all figured out. Let’s hope everything runs smoothly and no one gets hurt.” She handed a tote bag to her aunt. “Here are Lily’s snacks and water. I put sunscreen on her. There’s more in the bag.” She leaned toward Margaret and spoke more softly. “She’s wearing her big-girl diaper panties today. She might use the potty for you. If not, there are a couple more pairs in there.” She kissed Lily on the cheek and smoothed her hair. “Be good for all of your aunties. Mommy will come check on you later.” She pointed. “Auntie, Michael’s in that room right there—a hop, skip, and a jump away, in case you need anything.” Before leaving, she waved at Brianna, who was still involved in a coloring project at a child-sized picnic table with the other two children.
Lily chirped, “Bye-bye, Mommy,” just before wriggling from Colbi’s arms and rushing toward the swings with Colbi and Margaret following behind.
****
“So how’s it going?” Max asked several hours later when Savannah entered the church kitchen with an empty serving pan.
“There are a lot of hungry people out there. We need more mashed potatoes and we’re almost out of stuffing.”
“Not a problem,” he said, pulling a large pan of potatoes out of the oven. When Savannah reached for it, he offered, “I’ll carry it out for you.” He nodded toward the stove. “Want to stir the gravy?”
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p; “Sure.” She’d been standing at the stove for just a few minutes when Iris entered the kitchen carrying another empty stainless steel serving pan. “Hi, girlfriend,” Savannah greeted.
“Hi. So have you and Max switched places? I saw him on the serving line just now.”
“Oh? I thought he’d be right back,” Savannah said. “Guess he needed a break.”
Iris set the pan on the counter top and took a bottle of water from a cooler. “Want one?”
“Yes,” Savannah said. “Thanks.” She giggled. “So how’s the detective doing out there? He seemed a little awkward when I saw him handling that serving spoon.”
Iris laughed. “Yes, that’s why they reassigned him to clean-up duty. But that didn’t go well. He was a real butterfingers when he tried to carry stacks of dirty paper plates and utensils. So now he’s helping to serve the pie.” She leaned toward Savannah. “I’ve already seen him eat two pieces. He does love his sweets, that man.”
When Max returned, Iris said, “Oh, Max, we need more stuffing. Is there any left?”
“Yes. Come on, I’ll take it out for you,” he offered. Before pulling the serving tray out of the oven, he peered into the gravy pan. “Doing okay?” he asked Savannah.
“Yes, it’s nice and warm in here.”
He wiped his brow with a towel. “Hot, if you ask me. But that’s the nature of a kitchen.” He removed the pan of stuffing and walked out with it, returning several minutes later.
“What took you so long? I’m tired of stirring,” Savannah complained light-heartedly.
“I was cooling off. I took your place in the serving line for a change of pace.”
“Got pie?” Craig asked, stepping into the kitchen with a stack of empty pie pans.
“Sure, Detective,” Max said, motioning toward a large tray of freshly baked pies. “All cut and ready to go on the pie plates.” He reached into a grocery bag. “Need more plastic forks?”
“Yeah, probably,” Craig said, placing a couple of packages on the tray. He picked it up. “See ya’ll later.”
After watching Craig leave, Max approached the stove. “I’d better replenish the gravy while I’m at it,” he said, pouring some into a large stainless steel pitcher.