The Settlement

by Ali Spooner

  “That sounds great, what time?”

  “Six okay with you?”

  “That will be perfect.”

  †

  Cadin left the diner with a specific destination in mind. An hour later, she pulled up to Rupe’s and carried a six-pack of Abita beer into the office. Rupe was on the phone when she entered and smiled when he looked up to see who had arrived.

  “Welcome back, Cadin.”

  “I thought I’d take you up on your offer of lunch if it still stands.”

  He smiled when he saw what she was carrying. “Excellent! Let’s get those brews on ice and go get some fresh mudbugs.”

  Rupe placed the beer into a small cooler and filled it with ice. “These will be perfect when we get back.”

  Cadin followed him out to the dock and climbed aboard the airboat. The afternoon was gorgeous as they rode through the bayou to check his traps. The first one they came to was full of the tiny lobster-like creatures.

  “Bingo,” he said with a smile as he emptied the trap in his bucket. “These will make for some good eating.”

  They returned to the dock and carried the bucket back to the office. “I’ve got a cooker out back. I’ll get it started if you want to grab us a beer. Are you going to be able to drink and ride that bike?”

  “I’ll have one with you while you cook and then the food will soak it up.”

  “I have some sodas in the fridge for your meal then.”

  “Perfect,” Cadin said and walked inside for the beers.

  Rupe started the gas burner and had added water to a large pot he set on the fire. “We’ll let this get to boiling and then I’ll put the bugs on.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “You can go inside and bring out this morning’s paper and spread it out on the table. Do you like hot sauce for dipping or some drawn butter?”

  “Hot sauce will do just fine.”

  “There’s a new bottle in the fridge and you’ll find bowls in the cabinet above the sink.”

  Cadin returned inside for the supplies and smiled as she heard Rupe whistling as he worked.

  †

  When the mudbugs had finished boiling, Rupe lifted the basket onto the side of the pot to let the water drain, then poured the contents onto the newspaper-covered table. “If I knew you were coming I could have gotten some corn and taters to add to the boil,” he apologized.

  “This is perfect as it is,” she answered.

  They let the steamy pile cool for a few moments while Cadin returned to the kitchen for a soda, a fresh beer for Rupe, and a roll of paper towels. When Rupe picked up a mudbug, Cadin watched as he separated the head from the body, sucked the juices from it, and dropped it to the paper and began to peel the tender meat from the body. He smiled up at her. “No worries, you don’t have to suck the heads,” he chuckled.

  “That’s a relief,” Cadin said with a smile as she dove into the pile of food.

  “Enjoy yourself, little lady,” he said.

  “You’re absolutely right, Rupe. These are better fresh out of the water,” Cadin said as she peeled another mudbug and dipped it in hot sauce.

  The old man smiled, very pleased his guest was enjoying the impromptu meal. “The only way they should be eaten.”

  Enjoy it, she did. They ate in silence for a while before Rupe looked up at her. “You’re leaving soon aren’t you?”

  “Yes I am, probably tomorrow,” she answered.

  “I hope you will journey back this way again.”

  “You can bet on that,” Cadin said as she dipped another morsel. “If, for nothing else, but to share a lunch with you,” she said.

  Rupe chuckled. “You sure know how to make an old man’s day.”

  She smiled back at him. “You can cook for me anytime.”

  After they finished off the meal, Rupe wrapped up the shells and carried them to a compost pile.

  “I hate to eat and run, but I need to get back to town.”

  “No problem, thanks for coming back to have lunch with me.”

  “I’m so glad I did. I’ll never forget this meal,” she said.

  “Hurry back for another then,” he said and offered his arms for a hug.

  Cadin accepted his hug. “Just keep an ear open for me,” she said.

  “You be careful on that thing,” he said, nodding toward the bike. “Watch out for gators,” he reminded her.

  “I will,” Cadin said, then mounted the bike and rode back to the hotel.

  †

  She checked the time after she emerged from the shower and saw that the day had slipped quickly away from her. She dressed and rode to Emma’s for a final dinner together.

  Serena and Meagan had done an excellent job with the spaghetti dinner. There was salad left over from the night before and a loaf of bread they toasted with garlic butter.

  “This is fantastic,” Cadin said.

  “Glad you like it,” Meagan said.

  During the meal, Cadin told them about her lunch with Rupe and they talked about the menu and the reopening of the diner.

  “I’m so excited, I may not be able to sleep tonight,” Emma said as they girls cleared the table.

  “It has turned out beautiful, hasn’t it?”

  “I couldn’t be more pleased.”

  “I think Johnny fudged on the final bill a bit. It wasn’t nearly close to his original number.”

  “Lower?” Emma asked.

  “By about ten thousand,” Cadin said.

  “I will make sure he doesn’t pay for a meal for a long time to make it up,” she answered.

  Cadin smiled. “I think that’s a perfect solution.”

  “Will you join us for breakfast in the morning?”

  “I’d love too. What time?”

  Emma cocked her head to think for a moment. “Hank will be there at eight to do the inspection, and he works pretty quickly. How about eight forty-five?”

  “I’ll be looking forward to chicken and waffles,” Cadin said. “If you ladies don’t need my help, I think I’ll head back to the hotel and see you in the morning.”

  “We’ve got everything under control here,” Meagan said. “Thanks again for the laptop.”

  “You’re welcome,” Cadin said.

  “May I walk out with you?” Serena asked.

  “Sure,” Cadin said.

  “What’s up?” she asked Serena, after bidding Emma and Meagan goodnight.

  “I just wanted to thank you for everything. I think you saved me from making a horrible mistake. I also wanted to tell you I’ve started your painting.”

  “Awesome,” Cadin answered. “I look forward to seeing the finished product.”

  “I hope you’ll be pleased.”

  “I’m sure I will be.”

  “Goodnight Cadin,” Serena said and hugged her tightly.

  “Goodnight,” she answered and when Serena released her, mounted her bike for the ride back to town.

  †

  Cadin pulled her duffel from the closet and began packing her belongings. A sense of sadness threatened to overwhelm her until she thought of all the good things that had happened to her on this journey. The people she had met and was able to assist in improving their lives would live in her heart forever.

  She left out fresh clothes for the ride then slipped into the bed, exhausted from the long day.

  †

  Cadin walked into the diner the next morning to find Meagan busy at work behind the counter. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in school.”

  “Teacher workday,” Meagan said. “I’d forgotten about it until I arrived at school today, so I’m hanging with Mom, helping her with the grand reopening.”

  Cadin’s eyes followed Meagan’s as they drifted toward the duffel strapped on her bike. “Tell me you weren’t going to skip town without saying goodbye?”

  “No, I wouldn’t do that. I planned to fake my way into the school as a relative to say goodbye.”

  “No
need to fake, you are family,” Meagan said.

  Cadin took in her words, a warmth spreading through her. She knew Meagan would not have said that without sincerity. “I hope the inspection is over. I’m starving.”

  “Have a seat and I’ll bring you some coffee. Mom’s just finishing up with Hank now.”

  Cadin sat next to Charles at the counter. “You did a wonderful job on this counter.”

  “Thanks, it was a challenge, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I plan on making this my spot for a long time.” He grinned.

  Emma entered the dining room and escorted Hank to the door with Johnny in tow. As soon as Hank left the building she turned and held up the copy of his inspection report. “Our first one hundred percent,” she said and walked behind the counter to hang it in the new frame. “Everyone ready for some chicken and waffles?” she asked.

  “Heck yes,” came the chorus of responses.

  “Let’s get to cooking, ladies,” Emma said as Johnny took a seat beside Cadin.

  “I’m glad everything passed with flying colors,” she told him.

  “Me too,” he said. “I never doubted it for a minute, though. Emma, on the other hand, has been pacing the new floors since seven.”

  “She should be very proud of the new diner. You and the crew did an excellent job.”

  “You made it possible,” he reminded her. “Without your influence and financial assistance, Emma would have been forced to close within the year.”

  “This should keep her going for a long time.”

  “Yes, it should. I told her I’d be glad to help her out with any repairs she may have, even after the warranty runs out.”

  “You’re a good man, Johnny,” Cadin said as she slapped him on the shoulder, “A good friend too.”

  Johnny glanced out at her bike. “You’re leaving today, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, it’s time for me to go home.”

  “I wish you would reconsider and decide to call this place home.”

  “It is home for me in a way, but it’s time for me to move on with my life.”

  Cadin swore she saw a tear in Johnny’s eye when he said, “We’re all going to miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too, but I’ll be back to check on things from time to time.”

  “That’s good to know,” he said as Emma walked behind the counter carrying the first two orders of chicken and waffles, placing them in front of Cadin and Johnny.

  “If it weren’t for you two, we wouldn’t be here celebrating today. I hope you enjoy.”

  “Thanks,” they said in unison.

  “Let’s do this,” Johnny said as he poured syrup over his waffles and handed Cadin the dispenser. “How do we eat this anyhow?”

  “Just like this,” Cadin said as she cut a bite of chicken tender, then a bite of waffle, which she speared, and then speared the chicken tender. She lifted the fork to him in demonstration and placed the food in her mouth.

  The crew burst out laughing and watched as Johnny took his first bite. His eyes grew wide and he moaned his pleasure. “This is really good,” he said after swallowing. “I was worried about the combination, but I now see what all the fuss is about.”

  Emma’s smile grew wide as she accepted his praise.

  “Good job, ladies,” Cadin said. “I’ve never eaten better.”

  †

  Once the crew had finished eating and left, Emma and the girls shared a late breakfast.

  “That duffel on your bike says you’re leaving today,” Emma said.

  Cadin smiled warmly to her new friends. “It’s time for me to go home.”

  “We’re going to miss having you around.”

  “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you all. I will be back to visit.”

  “I hope you will at least come to my graduation,” Meagan said.

  “I wouldn’t miss it. Do you still have my business card?” she asked Emma.

  Emma nodded. “Yes, I do.”

  “I’ll be expecting an invitation from you in a few months then,” she said.

  Serena shuffled in her seat. “How will I get your painting to you when it’s done?”

  “You can have it shipped to the address on the card. I’ll reimburse the cost of shipping to you.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Serena said. “After all you’ve done for me, for us, there’s no way you’re paying for shipping.”

  “It won’t be cheap,” she warned.

  “I’ll have tips saved up by then,” Serena said.

  Cadin nodded her head. “Very well then.” She stood to leave.

  “You’re leaving now?” Emma cried.

  Cadin looked at her new friend. “I’ve a long ride ahead of me, and you three have a reopening to prepare for,” she said.

  “Will you call and let me know when you’ve made it home?” Emma asked.

  “It will be a day or two yet. I’ve got a stop to make in Alabama.”

  “That’s fine. Please don’t forget to send me a picture of Missy for the front wall too.”

  Cadin’s eyes flew to the sign painted on the front window and smiled. “I will make it my first task when I get home.”

  Cadin hugged each of them and then walked to her bike. She looked at the signage one last time, waved to the three women standing in the doorway, and kicked her bike into gear.

  She raced north for several hours, before stopping to refuel and stretch her legs. The late afternoon sun made the leaves on the trees glow in shades of brilliant gold and orange as the seasons were about to shift. Summer had somehow slipped away on her journey. She rode for another hour before reaching the sign announcing the Greensboro city limits. Minutes later she pulled into Sister Frances’s drive. She had only been gone a little over a week, but it already felt like a homecoming to her. She rang the doorbell and waited patiently for the door to open.

  Sister Frances opened the door and gasped when she saw Cadin standing there. “Cadin, it’s so good to see you,” she said as she held the door open. “Come inside.”

  “Thanks. I was hoping I could spend a night or two here again. I’m on my way home, but promised Lexie, I would come by to visit.”

  “She will be so excited to see you and of course you can stay here. Why don’t you drop your bag in the sleeping quarters and ride over to Miss Betty’s house. You’re welcome to dinner here, but I doubt Lexie will let you leave so quickly.”

  “You’re probably right. How have you been?”

  “Busy, but good, the work keeps me going. I’ll have you know we sold all of the pecans on our first weekend at the market.”

  “That was a lot of nuts.” Cadin chuckled.

  “Yes, it was. I didn’t think we would ever finish shelling them. That was the most harvested in many years.”

  “Any changes around here?” she asked.

  “Another woman showed up and stayed a few days on her way to family. She was beaten badly, nearly broke, so we did our best to patch her up and send her on her way with a full tank of gas and hopefully enough money to make it to Enid.”

  “That’s good. I’m glad she escaped that environment.”

  “Me too,” Sister Frances said.

  “I’ll drop my bag and see you for coffee in the morning,” she said. “Thanks.”

  “You’re very welcome. Enjoy your visit.”

  Cadin placed her bag on an empty bed and rode her bike to Miss Betty’s house.

  †

  Nothing could mask the sound of the bike’s motor, so as she pulled into the drive at Miss Betty’s house the door flew open and Lexie came rushing outside.

  “Cadin,” she yelled. “It’s really you.”

  “Yes, it is,” she said as she bent down and picked up the small girl in her arms and twirled her around. “I think you missed me.”

  “I did, and I’m so glad you’re back even if it is just for a day or two.”

  When she placed Lexie back on the ground, the little girl took her hand and led her inside the house. Ter
ri and Miss Betty were busy in the kitchen.

  “Welcome back, stranger,” Terri said. “Have you eaten yet?”

  “Nope, I was hoping you’d have enough for one more.”

  “Of course we do. Welcome back, Cadin,” Miss Betty said. “Are you staying with us tonight?”

  “I’ve already dropped my bag at Sister’s,” she said. “She told me I could have my old bed for a couple days.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Lexie said as she led her to the kitchen.

  “So how have you all been?”

  “I’ve been promoted to assistant manager at work,” Terri said.

  “That’s great news,” Cadin said as she hugged Terri then took Miss Betty in her arms. “And you, lovely lady? What have you been up to?”

  “Just getting settled back in my home,” she answered. “I’ve been doing a bit of gardening too,” she smiled. “It’s too late to get anything in the ground until spring, but the ground will be ready when it warms up in the spring.”

  Terri handed her a platter of pork chops. “Put these on the table and we’ll bring the rest in just a minute. Lexie will you pour the tea?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” she answered and poured three glasses of tea. “We need one more setting.” She turned to find Miss Betty holding another glass of ice.

  “I’ll bring you a plate and some silver,” Miss Betty said.

  “Is there anything I can help with?”

  “No, we’ve got it under control.”

  Lexie walked around the table and handed her a glass of tea.

  “I swear you have grown an inch or two. What have you been feeding this child?”

  “She’s had plenty of protein and fresh vegetables,” Miss Betty said. “I’ve never seen a child attack field peas like Lexie does. It does my heart good to see her eat so well.”

  “Let us also warn you about her love for Miss Betty’s corn bread. If you want a piece, get it when it first arrives. She loves it too.”

  “Yes, I do,” Lexie, answered with a giggle.

  After dinner, they moved to the living room to be more comfortable and Cadin told them about her time in Bogalusa. Lexie sat so close to her she was almost in her lap.

  “You have been a busy woman since you left us,” Miss Betty said.

  “So much has happened so fast, my head spins sometimes,” she admitted.