On the Corner of Hope and Main

by Beverly Jenkins

  As they gained volume, he shouted to be heard. “Men are under attack all over the nation, just for being men, and I don’t want that happening here!” Done. He sat.

  Jack turned to Sheila. “Mrs. Payne.”

  Sheila walked to the microphone and said, “I agree with the necessity of bringing in new residents, and the need for a secure Henry Adams, but instead of raising taxes for all these initiatives, I propose a way to pay for them that will only cost us pennies.”

  She waited until people were on the edges of their seats, before saying, “Wind power.” She then proceeded to blow everyone away with facts and figures. “Last year, millions of dollars were earned by rural communities and farmers like ours by leasing their land to wind turbines. Some families have saved their farms from foreclosure by partnering with these companies. There are already established programs in place here in Kansas, so this isn’t experimental.”

  A buzz went through the room. “As your mayor, I’d like to invite the companies here so we can get a good look at what they have to offer, and then connect them to any farmers who want to participate. According to some of the information I’ve read, the profits have made a difference in the bottom line for many communities and it can make a difference for Henry Adams as well.”

  She moved on to her idea of having the town placed on the National Register of Historic Places, explaining the added revenue that could bring in along with her proposed museum. “Last but not least, I agree with Mr. July. I also want us to have some fun. I’d like to build a drive-in we can enjoy during the summer months.”

  Cheers erupted. She smiled shyly and let the hooting and hollering subside before continuing to talk about the logistics tied to a drive-in. When she finished, she added, “I know there are some who don’t think a woman has what it takes to be mayor, even though Mayor Olivia July guided this town during its golden years, but if you vote for me, we’ll work together as a community to prove the naysayers wrong. Thank you.”

  And she went back to her seat.

  Women in the room jumped to their feet and applauded madly, some men, too. Were the election held that evening, Bernadine was certain Sheila Payne would win by a landslide.

  The audience participation portion was next. People wanting to ask questions of the candidates were invited to form a line behind the microphone standing in the aisle. Bernadine was pleased see that Amari July was first.

  He asked, “If I was eighteen and could vote, what part of your platform would benefit people my age the most?”

  Beside her, Tina whispered, “Great question.”

  Bernadine agreed.

  Jack turned to the candidates. “Let’s use the same order. Colonel Payne, your response?”

  “I’d mandate that all new businesses hire a percentage of people ages eighteen to twenty-five, and that summer internships be set aside for high school kids.”

  “Paid internships, right?” Amari asked. “Nobody should have to work for free.”

  Barrett showed a small smile and amended his reply, “Yes, paid internships for high school students.”

  Riley, even though he was out of turn, was next to answer. “The biggest benefit from mine is that you won’t get shot.” He turned to Payne and glared. “Security for one and all is how I see it.”

  Thad replied, “A casino offers you a chance at a big payoff that could make you rich for the rest of your life, and who doesn’t want that, no matter the age?”

  She thought both answers lacked substance and forethought.

  Next was Sheila. She checked her notes for a moment, then replied to Amari’s question. “Not everyone wants to or can afford to attend college. As mayor I’d like to sit down with the president of the community college and talk about increasing the numbers and varieties of classes tied to a trade. Right now, there’s only carpentry and heating and cooling. Adding classes where students could become certified plumbers or electricians, or landscapers, along with other programs targeting farming science would be a plus for our area.”

  Tina whispered, “Can we have the election tonight so I can vote for her?”

  The rest of the question session played out along the same lines. The colonel gave measured replies. Sheila offered detailed responses. Thad stuck to big money payouts, and Riley to security. Both men came off as one-trick ponies.

  RILEY’S PERFORMANCE HAD given Leo a serious headache. By the time the debate ended and people began leaving, all he wanted was to head home and treat it with lots of cognac. He had no desire to see Riley, but he caught Leo in the parking lot before he could make it to his car.

  “I think I picked up quite a few votes,” Riley boasted.

  Leo wondered how anyone could be so delusional? Curry was his candidate though, so he lied, “You might be right. We should look at expanding the platform a bit more, however. People want security, but that’s not the only thing affecting them.”

  “It won’t be those wind vanes Mrs. Payne was pushing. I heard someone in the government say those things cause cancer.”

  Leo’s headache worsened. “Something else then. Maybe something tied to education or an idea that would benefit families.”

  “Oh, okay, but you really think I did good in there?”

  Leo refused to enable more craziness by lying again. “Your campaign signs and posters should be in tomorrow. The big highway billboard you wanted will be up by midweek.”

  Riley crowed, “Hot damn! Can’t wait to see what pose you chose. My serious one, I hope.” He struck the one he’d done for the photo shoot.

  As the bulk of the crowd began trickling out of the building, Leo ignored Riley’s comment and instead asked, “How much money did you steal from your ex-wife?”

  “I didn’t steal it. I borrowed it and had every intention of repaying her.”

  “How much did you borrow?”

  “Fifty thousand.”

  Leo sighed inwardly. “I’m going to head home. I think I may be coming down with something.”

  “Understood. I’ll think about what you said about expanding my platform, but first I’m having a beer to celebrate my win tonight.”

  “Good for you. I’ll come by the salon and drop off the signs and posters after they arrive. Put them wherever you think best.”

  “Isn’t that your job?”

  Leo wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled and his head popped off his neck. “Technically yes. But you know where people are more likely to see them. You’re the expert here.”

  “You’re right. I do know more about Henry Adams. Okay. Stop by as soon as my stuff comes. Real anxious to see them. You think the campaign can lease me a car?”

  “No.” Leo got in his and drove away.

  At home, Leo plopped down into his favorite, caramel-colored leather chair and took a long draw of the cognac in his glass. Curry’s performance had been a campaign manager’s nightmare. From accusing Payne of stealing his concept to calling Thad July a dumb Okie. He’d followed that by answering every question the same way: security. By the end, Leo thought if he’d heard the word one more time, he’d lose his mind. Once again, he wished he’d investigated the man more thoroughly or better yet, run for mayor himself; at least he wouldn’t feel like he was up to his neck in quicksand. And the investigative report he’d received on Curry had only reinforced the feeling. From embezzlement to bigamy to posing as Trent July in order to steal a car, the man’s antics were jaw-dropping. After his hog killed Morton Prell, Curry broke the hog out of the county pen and the two went on the lam. Eventually apprehended by law enforcement and returned to Kansas, the court determined the hog had killed Prell in self-defense and all charges were dropped. Curry then took the hog to Hollywood to be trained for the movies by a man named Scarsdale. When Curry couldn’t pay the bills, he and the hog fled back to Henry Adams, only to have Scarsdale show up with a court order giving him possession of the hog.

  Leo’s phone sounded. Looking down at the caller ID he saw Al Stillwell’s name. Not in the moo
d for whatever the man wanted, he let it go to voice mail. A minute later, his front door began rattling from the pounding someone was giving it. He wanted to ignore that as well, but hoping it might be the sheriff telling him Curry had driven off a cliff, Leo got up and went to the door. Through the fancy glass pane, he saw Stillwell looming on the other side.

  “Open the door, Brown!”

  Wondering if the night could get any worse, he opened it and let the man in. “What do you want?”

  “I was at the debate. Quite the candidate you got there.”

  Leo gritted out, “What do you want, Stillwell?”

  “The lease agreement. Is it done?”

  “I told you ten days. Anything else?”

  “Yeah, three things. One. Make sure the agreement is legal. Two. Next time I call, pick up the phone. And three. Tell Riley not to antagonize Thad July. July payback is legendary around here.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Leo said dismissively.

  Stillwell showed an ugly smug smile. “You and Curry deserve each other. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the Julys.”

  He exited and stepped back out into the night. Leo flung the door closed.

  “YOU WERE AMAZING up there, Sheila.”

  Surprised, she glanced over at Barrett as he drove them home. Preston had gone home with Trent and Lily. He and Amari had a report to write on the debate. “Thanks. I thought you did well, too.”

  “There’s well, and there’s totally prepared. You were the latter. You blew us off the stage.”

  “I appreciate you saying that.”

  “It’s the truth, and I owe you an apology for saying you didn’t have what it takes to do the job. I was wrong. When you talked about the trade classes, I wanted to raise the white flag and vote for you myself.”

  In response to his praise, emotion welled up and tears stung her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “In fact, I’m pulling out of the race.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because my wife should be mayor and I want to help her get elected.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. Shaking, she stared speechless.

  “I’m serious, Sheila. Henry Adams needs you.”

  Her brain finally reengaged enough to ask, “Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?”

  Barrett laughed. “Watching and listening to you on the stage made me realize just how wrong I’ve been. Will you do me a favor?”

  “I’ll try.”

  They’d reached their house, so he pulled up into the driveway and cut the engine. In the silent darkness, he turned her way and asked, “When we go inside, will you sit with me and tell me all the things I don’t know about you?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you being a trig ninja for one.”

  “Who told you?”

  “Our son.”

  “I need to remind him that snitches get stitches.”

  They laughed.

  When it was quiet again, Sheila viewed him wondrously. “Are you really interested?”

  “I am. Very much so.”

  “Then, yes. You get your coffee, I’ll get out of these clothes, make my tea, and we’ll talk.”

  “Good and I don’t want you dimming your light ever again. Don’t worry about me. You go ahead and shine.”

  “Thanks for that and for your faith in me.”

  “It’s what husbands do, or so the Dads and brilliant teenagers like our son keep telling me.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re a good man, Colonel Payne.”

  “But I can be better, and that’s my goal.”

  Inside, Barrett turned on the Keurig and waited for Sheila to return for their talk. Watching her on the stage exuding so much confidence and intelligence had been humbling. That he’d spent the past few weeks throwing barriers in her path in order to salve his ego made him look foolish in hindsight and regret the pain he’d caused her. And when she related her vision about the trade classes, he knew then and there, he’d be dropping out of the race to support her instead. In a million years, he wouldn’t have thought of something so basic and yet so life changing. Her detailed platform spoke to young, old, farmers, and townies. She needed to be mayor. Bernadine Brown, Lily Fontaine July, and his soon-to-be-elected wife were the triumvirate Henry Adams needed to shape its future. The evening made something else clear. For him to be truly worthy of the remarkable woman he’d married, he needed to find the courage to make an appointment with Paula Grant. He owed it to Sheila and Preston. More important, he owed it to himself to deal with the shadows of his past and his ofttimes rigid way of viewing life, so he could shape his own future.

  Chapter

  11

  Tuesday morning, Bernadine, Rocky, and Tina gathered in her office to get ready for the chef interviews with Audra Perry and Thornton Webb. Ms. Perry and her parents had driven from Kansas City yesterday and overnighted in one of Franklin’s motels. Webb had flown in.

  At nine, Lily appeared in the doorway. “The Perrys are here, ladies.”

  “Bring them in,” Bernadine replied.

  The three entered and upon seeing the mom’s tightly set caramel-colored face, Bernadine wondered what she was upset about. “I’m Bernadine Brown,” she said, walking over to greet them. “Welcome to Henry Adams.”

  The mother spoke for the family. “Thank you. I’m Racine. My husband, William, and this is our daughter, Audra.”

  “Pleased to meet you. Let me take your coats.”

  The parents were dressed like bankers. Mom was in an expensive navy suit with matching heels and a pricey handbag. Dad was dressed in charcoal gray. Audra wore a pair of black jeans and a lightweight red cashmere sweater, gold hoops in her ears, and a thin gold chain around her neck. Mom’s gold on her wrists and in her ears was tasteful but bolder and weightier. Bernadine wondered what Racine and William did for a living.

  “Let me introduce my partners, Tina Craig and Rochelle Dancer James.”

  Tina and Rocky offered a hello. The family nodded in reply.

  Tina asked, “Did you have a pleasant evening?”

  William said, “We’re used to more upscale accommodations, but we survived.”

  Rocky shot Bernadine a level look.

  Bernadine said, “Our little town is still growing. We hope to have more upscale lodging sometime in the future.”

  Racine muttered, “It can’t be soon enough.”

  Audra gave her a glare. “Please pardon their rudeness. They complain no matter where they stay.”

  Okeydokey. Bernadine noted the glares the parents flashed in response. This was going to be fun.

  Audra said, “So, ladies, please tell me about the position.”

  Rocky spoke for the partners and outlined what they were looking for, and the status of the soon-to-be-built restaurant, something she’d explained to Audra during their phone interview last week.

  William said, “The place isn’t built yet? You didn’t tell us that, Audra.”

  “There was no need to. Just like there’s no need for you and Mom to be here.”

  Racine countered with, “We’re here to look out for your best interests. We don’t want you taken advantage of. How long will the construction last?”

  “We plan to open in the spring,” Rocky said.

  Racine asked, “And you have the financing approved?”

  Tina said, “We don’t need financing. We’re paying cash.”

  Racine looked so shocked, Bernadine had trouble hiding her smile.

  William studied the three of them with renewed interest. “Cash?”

  Bernadine said, “Yes. Audra, tell us—”

  Racine butted in, “Does this place even have Wi-Fi? We’re accustomed to emailing our daughter on a regular basis.”

  “Yes. Staying in touch won’t be an issue.”

  Rocky, who’d apparently had enough, stood. “Mr. and Mrs. Perry, we’re going to ask you to leave the room now, so we can conduct the
interview. It’s been a pleasure meeting you. There’s coffee and food in the conference room. If you’ll follow me, please.”

  They shared a look of astonishment.

  Mom said, “We prefer to stay.”

  “Okay, then we’re sorry you came all this way for nothing.”

  Audra said, “Mom, will you and Dad just go, please, so we can get this done?”

  William’s eyes roamed the faces in the room as if seeking support. It was obvious they’d never encountered this situation before.

  Tina said, “If you don’t want her to be interviewed, that’s up to you. If you do, please follow Rochelle to the conference room.”

  Mom’s jaw tightened. She picked up her handbag and got to her feet. “Come on, Will.”

  “But . . .” He exhaled his frustration, stood, and followed Rocky and his wife to the door.

  Once they were gone, Audra said, “You ladies are the bomb. I love my parents, but if I get the job, can one of you adopt me?”

  The interview went well. Since Rocky had the most experience in food service, she took the lead and asked about Audra’s training and goals. “I graduated from Princeton with a degree in finance because that’s what my parents wanted. Got my MBA from Wharton, then worked with a big firm in Boston. Hated it, and the smug people I worked with. Eighteen months in, I woke up one day and said, screw this. I’m tired of being miserable. Quit the job, cashed in some of the stock I inherited from my grandparents, and went to culinary school. My parents had a stroke.”

  Bernadine saw Rocky and Tina smile.

  “I’ve always loved to cook and it’s all I want to do. I’m an only child. Mom’s a lawyer. Daddy has his own investment firm. They’ve had my life planned since the day I was born—the right schools, the right job. Marry the right guy, have the right kids. I feel like a hamster on a wheel and I’m exhausted. I know I don’t have enough experience to head up your restaurant, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to train under whoever you hire so that I can. I’ll wash dishes, sweep floors, whatever you want. I got into the cooking game late, I just want to catch up.”

  Rocky said, “You’re right about not having the experience to run the Three Spinsters, but I love your passion. Tell you what. I have an opening now in our diner. The head chef is an amazing young man. If you want to work under him until we get the restaurant up and running, you’re welcome.”