by Lea Wait
“Agreed. And to top it off, he’s Muslim, and I suspect may have had to cope with some discrimination issues. In any case, you’ll get to meet him. His name is Abdullah, and he’s one of the students who volunteered to help with the show.”
Will nodded. “Okay. And we need to get over there. I assume you’ve set up a way Gussie and Ben can get in if we’re not here?”
“A neighbor knows about them and will give Ben a key.”
“Then why don’t you show me this wonderful gymnasium where we’ll be spending the next few days?”
Chapter 29
All Aboard! 1894 lithograph by Elizabeth S. Tucker. English. Boy and girl (girl holding doll; boy cracking whip) seated on stool and chair in line, imagining they are in a carriage, and the empty chair in front of them is the trusty steed pulling them. 8 x 10.5 inches. Price: $50.
They took Maggie’s van to the college. On the way, Maggie filled Will in on the challenges of the past couple of days, from the threatening letters and telephone call to Jackson’s death to the Our World Our Children board meeting the night before.
With each new revelation Will looked distinctly less happy. “So today we’ll be setting up the first antiques show I’ve ever done that requires police backup and twenty-four/seven security coverage not because there will be valuable antiques there, but because some crazy who doesn’t like adoption, or something else he hasn’t chosen to share with anyone else, is threatening to make major trouble. And, by the way, two people connected with this adoption agency just happened to have been shot in the past few days, one of them killed.”
“Basically, yes,” said Maggie. “But I think it’s all under control. You’ll see.”
“If I’d been here yesterday and had a voice at the meeting last night, my vote would have been to get out of town fast. These adoption agency people are crazy for walking into a possibly dangerous situation.”
“Remember, Will, I’m one of those crazy people. It’s like after 9/11. We couldn’t stop living or organizing our lives around fears of ‘what might happen’ then. We didn’t stop visiting New York, or flying anywhere we needed to go, right?”
The more he thought, the more Will’s face reddened above his gray beard. He was just managing to control his anger. “But those terrorists had the whole world to choose from. Or at least the entire United States. So the odds were basically in our favor that nothing disastrous would happen in the spot we happened to be on any one particular day. But this idiot who’s been making threats has already told you the place and time not to be. And you’re making sure that not only will you be there, but hundreds of other people will be, too!”
“Let’s just hope you’re right, and hundreds of people do come to the show,” said Maggie optimistically as she pulled into the parking lot next to the gym. A police car was already parked there.
“Good morning, Maggie,” said Al, as they walked into the gym.
“Morning, Al. This is Will Brewer. He’s an antiques dealer from Buffalo who’ll be helping me out during the next few days.”
Al gave them both an appraising glance as he shook Will’s hand. “And a close friend I’d wager, too.”
“I certainly hope so.” Will smiled, trying to follow Maggie’s example and be positive. “And you’re the college security expert who’s moving into these wonderful accommodations for the duration?”
“That’s me,” agreed Al, appearing remarkably relaxed, while Will looked around as though envisioning a sniper in every corner. “Maggie, I just finished a walk-through. I can guarantee there’s nothing, and no one, anywhere in this building that we don’t know about. Two local patrolmen were with me for most of the tour, and they’re also convinced everything looks fine. Right now they’re checking the outside of the building. If all looks okay they’ll just be back for the parking-lot drive-throughs today.”
“Sounds good to me,” said Maggie.
“And I think we finished just in time,” Al added as he pointed outside. A large truck marked RENTALS FOR EVERY NEED had pulled up to the loading dock. “Your flooring guys are here.”
Within the next half hour they were joined by Claudia (“So this is Will! Will and I are going to be great friends”) and by Mike Colletto, the tennis coach. (“Well, so far that flooring doesn’t seem to have ruined anything.”) Eric Sloane was there, too, although he kept pretty much to himself after assuring Maggie he’d help with anything necessary. She introduced him to the crew from the rental company, and he found coffee and doughnuts for them.
“I read something new last night,” Claudia added, as Maggie popped the top on her third Diet Pepsi of the morning. “Esophageal cancer. People get it more often if they drink carbonated beverages.”
“Not just diet sodas?” asked Maggie, taking another gulp.
“Any soda. Women who drink colas are more apt to have osteoporosis, too, you know. I’m sticking to water and fruit juices from now on.”
“That’s very virtuous, and I appreciate the information, Claudia, but right now I need all the caffeine I can get. And if I weren’t so addicted to the flavor of the diet version, I’d be downing the stuff with sugar, just to keep me going.” Maggie smiled.
“You don’t have to worry about lunch,” Claudia continued. “Yesterday I called Peking Duck and ordered Chinese food for all of us. They’re delivering at noon. Here. With green tea. Green tea is excellent. Antioxidants and lots of other good stuff.”
“Claudia, you’re brilliant.”
“I thought you’d like it.” Claudia nodded. “And you like green tea.”
“Better than black tea, anyway. I will be happy to drink green tea for lunch. Just for you.”
“Not for me, for your own sake, Maggie. You have to internalize the need to take care of your own body.” Claudia looked grave.
“Whose body is she taking care of?” said Will, coming up to where the women were standing. He’d been helping Eric and Mike move some equipment off the floor and into a closet, and had taken off his shirt. His gray beard was dripping a bit, but he looked good. Damn good.
“Her own body, Will,” Claudia enunciated.
Will grinned and his eyes twinkled as they looked up and down at Maggie approvingly. “I approve of that. Maggie, maybe you should go back and see if Gussie and Ben are at your place. It’s after ten thirty.”
“You’re right. Everything here seems under control.” Maggie headed for the door. “And, Claudia, I’ll be back in plenty of time for the Chinese food!”
Ben was bringing suitcases in when Maggie got home. She hugged Gussie. “I’m so glad you’re here. But you look weary,” Maggie pronounced.
“I cannot tell a lie. I am tired,” said Gussie. “And also glad to be here. I see Will is here, too. You can’t miss his enormous RV in the street.”
“He got in about five this morning. He’s over at the gym now.”
“Do you need us there?” asked Gussie.
“Not really. Right now the vendor is just putting down the lining and indoor/outdoor carpeting to protect the gym floor. After they finish, Will and I are going to start measuring out the booths.”
“Not something I could help with. I did notice you hadn’t had a chance to pack your things for the show.” She pointed at the pile of portfolios and racks next to the ramp door in Maggie’s study.
“You’re right. I got involved in other things. It’s complicated, but I’ll tell you later. And then yesterday afternoon and evening it poured, and I didn’t want to get anything wet.”
“We have some space left in my van. Why don’t I have Ben pack your stuff in with mine this afternoon? Then we can just unload from one vehicle tomorrow.”
“That would be a big help,” agreed Maggie. “I hadn’t even thought of putting everything in one van. But since we’re sharing a booth, it all has to be unloaded to one place anyway.”
“That’s what I thought. I also guessed you’d want to set up your things before the other dealers get there tomorrow.”
&n
bsp; “I’d like to do that. Depending on how fast we can get the booths marked out and the electricians can put down the wires. They won’t even start until later today. We’re hoping the first gym will be ready for measuring and marking this afternoon. The tables will arrive tomorrow morning.”
“And chaos will reign from that point on,” agreed Gussie. “Why don’t Ben and I just stay here for the afternoon. If you decide you need him, or me, just call here. I’ll pick up your phone and I can drive over. But don’t worry about us.”
“Actually, if you don’t mind cooking your own lunch or dinner, I defrosted some filets yesterday thinking everyone would be here. Then I ended up going out for dinner. The meat is in the refrigerator and should be eaten. And there’s French bread in the freezer.”
“Then we’ll be more than fine! You go on back to the show, and we’ll rest here this afternoon, and Ben will pack your prints and racks. Then tomorrow we’ll both be prepared to be at the show all day. Or however long you need us.”
Maggie gave Gussie a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here! Just make yourself at home. I won’t worry at all. Will and I will be back sometime this evening, probably around nine or so, depending on how fast the measuring goes.”
“You and Will are a good team. I’m sure it will go well.”
All the players scheduled to be present were in Somerset County. Neither Al nor the police had found anything out of place. The sun was shining. Maybe the show would go on as Maggie hoped. Without any problems.
She crossed her fingers and headed back to the gym.
Chapter 30
The Lady in Black. 1860 Winslow Homer (1836–1910) wood engraving of a young woman in heavy mourning, walking with her small daughter. The daughter is carrying a market basket, having left her books on a stoop. Perhaps she is leaving school to help her mother. Illustration for a Harper’s Weekly story. 3.5 x 4.5 inches. Price: $90.
The Chinese food (and the green tea) were excellent, and the men from the rental company were experienced in covering floors. Not even Mike had any complaints, although he did check the corners of the flooring a few times. Somehow the need for miles of duct tape had escaped Maggie’s mind, so Will borrowed her van and came back with a carton full. The measuring and marking went faster than Maggie had hoped; Claudia and Eric had paired up and seemed to have no problems following Maggie’s floor plans. By three o’clock the flooring people had left and the booth dimensions were laid out in one of the two gyms. George Healy’s electricians had arrived and were already installing heavy-duty wires and outlets for the booths.
Maggie felt torn. After the electricians arrived, someone needed to be with them, and that slowed down the measuring that had been going so well in the second gym.
Al stopped in often to bring coffee and moral support. And Diet Pepsi, when Claudia wasn’t looking.
“If we can do the second gym as quickly as the first,” Will said, standing up and stretching, “then we can begin to think of a dinner a little more formal than the two remaining Dunkin’ Donuts Al has dangerously supplied.”
“Hmm . . . and maybe even a glass of wine,” said Maggie. “After moo shu pork and jelly doughnuts, right now I don’t even want to think about food.” Her back muscles were tight. Bending and stretching were not movements she did every day.
Things she ought to do this summer:
Buy prints.
Mat prints.
Do shows.
Make money.
Visit Gussie and Will.
Have fun!
Exercise.
Claudia would have added, “Stop drinking Diet Pepsi!” The head of her division at Somerset County College would have added, “Develop new course for American Studies curriculum!” Will would have added . . .
This was her list. No one else’s.
“What we need is one more body,” said Will. “You or I should be with the electricians to make sure they understand your notes. They’re great guys, but I don’t think they have the concept of separate booths down quite yet.”
“The last time I was in that gym,” Maggie agreed, “they’d put all the outlets for three booths in one location. The dealers will be covering all of the outlets with tables and furniture, and most of them won’t be bringing cords long enough to get their power from three booths away.”
“Not to mention what the dealer who has that booth will think if people keep coming in to thread cords through his area.”
The room was quiet, so when newcomers arrived they were easy to locate. Maggie looked down the gym to where Eric and Claudia were measuring booths. They’d been joined by two more people.
“I think our solution may have just walked through the door,” said Maggie. “I’ll be right back.”
She headed for the four in the corner. “Abdullah,” she said, greeting the young men. “And, Hal! You’re not due here until tomorrow afternoon.”
“I know,” Abdullah admitted. “But I had nothing much to do, and I was driving downtown, saw Hal, and stopped to give him a lift. We decided to check and see if we could help with anything today.”
“We would love some help!” said Maggie. “Do you both know Claudia Hall and Eric Sloane?”
Abdullah nodded; Hal shook his head. “Hal, this is Eric Sloane and Claudia Hall. And we could definitely use your help.”
Carole had said Hal didn’t have many friends, and Hunter had said the same about Abdullah. It would be great if they’d found each other. And they had a lot in common: they’d both lost family members recently.
She focused on the tasks at hand.
“We’re measuring out the dimensions of the booths. The dealers have paid to rent booths of different sizes, so they can best display their particular antiques. Right now we’re marking the corners of the booths. After we finish, the electricians are putting power where it’s needed, and tomorrow we’ll be moving tables into the booths.”
“So what can we do to help?”
“Come with me.” Maggie led them toward where Will was standing, several booths away. “Will, this is Abdullah, one of my students, and Hal, who lives with Carole Drummond’s family. They’ve volunteered to help us.”
“How do you do?” Abdullah said politely as Will put out his hand.
Hal nodded.
“Will Brewer is an antiques dealer from Buffalo and a friend of mine. Will, since you understand my scribbling, would you mind taking the charts and going to keep an eye on what the electricians are doing in the other gym? I’ll explain what we’re doing in here and let Abdullah and Hal take over measuring the booths. That will leave me free to keep an eye on the overall setup.” And get me up off the floor, Maggie thought to herself. Her knees and back were still cramped. Age!
“We’d be happy to measure the booths,” said Abdullah. “Just show us what needs to be done.”
“An excellent plan,” Will said. “Maggie, would you come with me for a moment to make sure I understand what you want?” He turned back to Abdullah. “I’ll have her back in a second.”
They walked toward the other gym. “Is that the kid you told me lost someone in the World Trade Center?”
“His brother. Yes. The man who called this morning said he seemed lonely. I was surprised when he came in with Hal. They’re both scheduled to help tomorrow.”
“And who’s Hal?”
“Hal Hanson. He was adopted when he was about ten, and his parents died in a horrible home fire last winter. He’s staying with Carole Drummond, the head of OWOC, until he’s ready to live on his own.”
“Two young men who’ve had a lot of loss in their lives,” said Will. “Well, whoever they are, I’m glad they’re on board.” Will gave Maggie a quick hug. “You look exhausted, and I drove most of the past forty-eight hours. The more help we get and the sooner we can finish up, the better.”
“Especially since we’ll have more to do tomorrow,” agreed Maggie. “Plus setting up our own booths. At most shows that’s exhausting enough.” She handed him the clipboard s
he’d left for the electricians to use as reference. “If you have any questions about my notes, just holler.”
Maggie headed back to the gym where Abdullah was already down on his hands and knees while Hal looked carefully at the chart of booth locations Maggie and Will had been using.
“Am I reading this correctly? This booth is ten feet deep, and sixteen feet long. And we’re marking the corners of the spaces with duct tape.” Hal smiled shyly. It was the first time Maggie had remembered seeing him smile.
“You’ve got it,” said Maggie. The rest of the afternoon was going to go much better than she’d imagined.
The young men spent the next two hours crawling on their hands and knees, stopping to measure, then to cut and tear off lengths of duct tape. Maggie walked in and out of the two gyms, consulting when someone had trouble reading her charts, and improvising when her notes didn’t make perfect sense. The time went quickly.
“Everything okay?” called Al from the door to the lobby.
She looked at her watch. It was after five, and Al was still here. “This isn’t the night you have to stay, Al!” She walked over to him, shaking her head.
“Oh, I decided I’d just order some pizza and stay tonight, too.”
“You think someone might try to break in now?”
“I’m not sure what I’m worried about, Maggie. Everything looks good so far. You’re ahead of schedule, aren’t you?”
She nodded. “We’ve almost finished measuring the second gym. Two extra helpers stopped in, and they’ve been a great help.”
“The young Middle Eastern–looking man and the blond?”
“Abdullah and Hal. Bright young men. I just learned this week Abdullah lost a brother in 9/11. He’s volunteered to help out with the whole show. And so has Hal. He was adopted through OWOC.”
“Was Abdullah adopted, too?”
Maggie looked at him. “I don’t know. Why?”
“To volunteer so much of his own time, these young people must really believe in adoption.” Al frowned a bit. “I’ve met Abdullah before, I think. Wasn’t he the one who dropped out of school after 9/11, when someone spray painted ‘Muslim Killers’ on his home? His mother came here to the college to complain. She was sure one of our students was responsible. But she didn’t know who. She said the local police weren’t doing anything about it.”
