Bearly In Love

by Terri Reid

  Addie laughed nervously. “Your grandfather was such a great story teller,” she said. “He and I were as nervous as long-tailed cats in a room full of rocking chairs. But we wanted to be sure you were kept calm, so he made up the most fantastic stories.”

  Opening the steel door, Stacy flipped on the light and led her grandmother into the small closet-sized room. “That’s funny,” she said, “because I was just as nervous and thought by letting you tell me stories, I was distracting you.”

  Addie laughed and made herself comfortable on the small, upholstered chair in the corner of the room. Stacy put the weather radio on a small shelf, plugged it in and turned it to the Emergency Broadcasting Channel. Then she placed the flashlight and the water bottles on the floor near her feet.

  “There’s nothing like a tornado to remind you how powerful Mother Nature really is,” Addie said. “I wonder how many people’s lives were changed that night.”

  Stacy knew exactly what night her grandmother was referring to. “You know, it’s an interesting coincidence,” she said. “Today, when I was getting a tour of the shop I’ll be working in, the combination for the door was June 13, 2003.”

  “Oh, my dear, that must have been so upsetting.”

  “Well, actually, it was for a minute,” she admitted. “I was probably more surprised than anything else. But I wondered what happened to the owner of the business that made that day stand out to him.”

  “That tornado was straight out of hell,” Addie said, a shiver going through her body. “I will never forget the high-pitched shrieking we heard as it got closer.”

  “I don’t remember a lot about that day,” Stacy said. “I remember coming down into the basement when the sirens sounded. Sam and Henry were here too, weren’t they?”

  Addie nodded. “Yes, you and Henry had been playing catch over here, and Sam rushed over to make sure Henry was safe,” she said. “But things happened much quicker than anyone expected, and we all had to rush down here to take cover.”

  “What happened next?” Stacy asked.

  “We could feel the earth trembling as it got closer,” she said. “And the sky was as dark as night. The house was creaking, straining against its foundation, as the force of the tornado pulled at it. Then we heard a giant crack, and your grandfather yelled that we lost the roof.”

  Stacy nodded. “I do remember that,” she said.

  “We all hunkered into the corner,” Addie continued. “And then the cellar doors started to jiggle. We all ran across the room because we knew if the door opened, we could all be sucked out. Your mom and dad ran a tow chain through the door handles, and Grandpa and Sam were going to secure it to the basement posts. But just after they finished feeding the chains through the handles, the tornado seemed to intensify. We screamed for them to hurry, but it was too late.”

  “But I thought the cellar doors were supposed to have been storm proof,” Stacy said. “I still don’t understand how that could have happened.”

  Addie looked away from her for a moment and then faced her. “I can’t really remember it all that well. I think it was… no, that wasn’t it at all,” she said, confusion filling her eyes. “There was something about the door latch. I’ll ask your grandfather later.”

  Tears burning her eyes, Stacy nodded. “Thanks, Grandma. That would be great.”

  The weather radio’s alarm halted their conversation.

  Beep-beep-beep

  The National Weather Service in Norman Oklahoma has allowed the tornado watch to expire in the listening area. Please be advised that there is still potential for severe thunderstorms throughout the evening, but the threat for tornados has ended.

  Addie breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. “Well, that was much ado about nothing,” she said, the confusion gone from her face.

  Stacy picked up the flashlight, water bottles and radio and stood up, too. “Well, that was enough excitement for the night,” she said. “Why don’t we celebrate my first day on the job with dinner at Pop’s Ice Cream Parlor?”

  The wide smile on Addie’s face answered Stacy’s question without the need for words. “I’ll be ready in just a minute,” she said, opening the door and hurrying across the basement to the stairs. “I haven’t had a night out in ages.”

  Chapter Ten

  Stacy hadn’t been to Pop’s in years. The fifties-style, ice cream parlor was a Prairie Grove institution, being the gathering place after most events from baseball games to high school dances. She and Addie picked a corner table and settled down to peruse the plastic menu waiting at the table.

  “Your Grandpa Paul loved Pop’s chili dogs,” Addie said with a sigh as she tried to make her decision. “I think one of our first dates was at Pop’s.”

  Stacy put down her menu. “I didn’t know that,” she said. “What did you get?”

  She smiled shyly. “Well, we split a strawberry soda,” she admitted. “One soda, two straws. It was quite romantic.”

  “So Grandpa was quite a ladies’ man?” Stacy asked.

  “Well, he had a certain charm about him,” Addie admitted. “The other girls were pretty jealous when he picked me.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Some of them still haven’t gotten over it.”

  Stacy laughed. “They need to get a life,” she said.

  “Exactly,” Addie replied, a twinkle in her eye. “Get a life indeed.”

  They lifted the menus again. “I think I’m going to get a cheeseburger,” Stacy said.

  “You always get a cheeseburger,” Addie said. “This is a celebration. Be daring.”

  “Okay, I’ll get a cheeseburger with onion rings instead of fries,” Stacy teased.

  “Only if you promise to share them with me,” Addie insisted.

  “Share what with you?”

  They looked up to find Sam standing next to the table. “Sam, how nice to see you again,” Addie said. “We’re celebrating Stacy’s first day on the job.”

  “Well, that’s wonderful,” he replied. “Mind if we join you?”

  Stacy looked around Sam to see Henry standing behind him. “Um, Grandpa, that’s okay,” he said. “We don’t want to interrupt.”

  Addie looked past Sam. “Henry, is that you?” she asked. “Why Henry Guthrie, look at you all grown up and tall.” She turned to Sam. “Well, he turned out to be a good-looking young man.”

  Sam nodded. “And I take all the credit myself.”

  “As you should,” Addie agreed. “I take all the credit for Stacy’s good-looks and intelligence.”

  “Do you also take credit for any mistakes I make?” Stacy asked.

  Addie shook her head. “Oh no dear, those you can claim for your own,” she teased and then looked up at Sam. “Please sit down with us. The more the merrier.”

  Henry looked decidedly uncomfortable, Stacy thought, but there was really nothing either of them could do about it. So the two men took the other two chairs at the table and pulled out menus of their own.

  “Stacy is having a cheeseburger,” Addie said.

  “Stacy always has a cheeseburger,” Henry said automatically and then looked up, flustered. “I’m sorry, that was presumptuous of me.”

  “Unfortunately, you’re right,” Stacy said with an easy smile. “Some things never change.”

  “And some things do,” he replied softly.

  “I’m going to get the chili dog,” Sam said.

  “Then I’m not spending the night,” Henry replied. “Those things are dangerous.”

  Addie laughed. “I do seem to remember making Paul sleep on the couch after a night at Pop’s,” she added.

  Stacy snorted and then covered her face with her menu, immediately embarrassed.

  “Yes?” Henry teased. “Did you say something?”

  Lowering the menu a few inches, she stuck her tongue out at him and then lifted it back in place when she saw his grin. Suddenly she was twelve again and had her best friend back in her life.

  “How did you like Oklaho
ma State?” Henry asked, referring to her two years at the university.

  “Well,” she replied with a smile, “they don’t have cheeseburgers like Pop’s, and Tulsa is a lot more crowded than Prairie Grove. But I enjoyed my time there.”

  The waitress interrupted their conversation and took their order. Once the waitress left, Addie turned and waved at an old friend.

  “Why, I haven’t seen Emily in years,” she exclaimed. “This is really a night to remember.”

  “Would you like to go over and say hello?” Sam asked. “I’d be happy to escort you.”

  “Really?” Addie asked, glancing over to Stacy for permission.

  “Of course,” Stacy replied. “The way this place is hopping tonight, we won’t get our food for at least fifteen minutes.”

  Once they left, Stacy was a little surprised to have Henry turn back to her and continue their conversation. She thought he was merely being polite.

  “What did you study?” he asked.

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, don’t laugh,” she pleaded. “I got a business degree in entrepreneurship from Spears.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Why would I laugh?” he asked.

  Shrugging, she toyed with her straw for a moment, and then looked up. “Well, you know. We’re talking about me,” she said. “The girl most likely not to succeed. Not really what anybody would consider an entrepreneur.”

  “So, why did you pick it?” he asked.

  Stacy paused, wondering if she could really trust him with the truth. Wondering if he, like so many others, was just setting her up for ridicule.

  “I really want to know,” he reassured her.

  Taking a deep breath, she decided to risk it. “I always wanted to run my own business,” she explained. “I love everything to do with marketing, buying, sales and even accounting. It’s like creating art, the movement, the satisfaction, even the fear. Does that make sense?”

  Henry smiled and nodded. “More than you know,” he said. “So, Sam told me you just got a job. Are you using your knowledge there?”

  “Don’t I wish,” she said with a frustrated sigh. “This place is like a treasure trove, but no one knows about it. If they did, I know they’d be coming in droves. It could be a huge draw for Adventureland.”

  “Why isn’t it a draw now?” he asked.

  “They have all of these wonderful pieces of local art hidden behind a northern woods façade that looks more like an outhouse than an art studio,” she replied. “I was in shock when I walked through the doors.”

  “An outhouse?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

  She chuckled. “Okay, not an outhouse,” she admitted. “But they have traps, snow shoes and dead things hanging outside. That certainly doesn’t advertise jewelry and other high end pieces. You know, if I could just redo the front of the store and then put a little money towards advertising, that shop would be golden.”

  He sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “It sounds like you’ve already claimed your own business,” he observed.

  She shrugged. “Yeah, well, maybe I get too passionate about things,” she said. “I was just hired to run a cash register and sing a stupid song.”

  He leaned forward. “You think the song is stupid?”

  “Oh, yes,” she said, “and annoying. If you were a customer in a store and every time the bell jingled because someone was coming in the cashier sang a goofy tune, how long would you want to stay in the store?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” he said slowly. “That’s an excellent point.”

  She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Well, don’t tell anyone I mentioned that,” she said. “I understand the owner’s pretty attached to his jingle, and I don’t want to lose my job.”

  He grinned at her and slid a finger across his lips. “My lips are sealed.”

  “So what are you doing now?” she asked.

  His grin widened. “I work for Adventureland, too, in the main office,” he admitted.

  “When will I ever learn to keep my big mouth shut?” she groaned. “Please, don’t share anything I said. I’m sure they know much more than I do.”

  He chuckled. “Actually, I think they might like your perspective on things,” he said. “Would you mind if I just made some suggestions and kept your name out of it?”

  “Oh, that would be great,” she said, studying him for a moment. “So, why Adventureland? I remember when you wanted to be a fireman. Is this just a summer job?”

  “No, I’ve been working for them since I graduated in Business a couple of years ago,” he replied. “I’ve known the owner since I was young, and he’s always been pretty good to me.”

  “That’s great,” she said. “I’m glad you decided to stay here. I mean in town.”

  “Yeah, I like Prairie Grove,” he said. “And it also gives me a chance to check off some of those boyhood dreams, like being a fireman.” He met her eyes. “I’m a volunteer fireman now.”

  Her eyes widened. “That was you?” she asked. “At my house, the night of the fire? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  Shrugging, he didn’t want to admit he’d been a little tongue-tied when he saw her. “Well, you seemed a little overwhelmed,” he said. “So, I thought a stranger giving you support might be more comfortable.”

  “Well, thank you,” she said nodding her head in agreement. “I was overwhelmed, and your support was appreciated.”

  “Hey, that’s what friends are for,” he replied.

  She smiled back. “Yes, they are,” she agreed, deciding that friendship with Henry was better than nothing. “That’s exactly what friends are for.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “Do you need me to be the bear again tomorrow?” Sam asked as he drove his old, Chevy convertible down the tree-lined streets of Prairie Grove later that evening. The storm had chased away the humidity, and the sweet smell of lilac was on the breeze.

  “No, I’ll have time to put on the suit and make sure things are running the way we like,” Henry replied. “I’m amazed after all these years the employees haven’t caught on that the owner is in the bear suit.”

  “What owner in their right mind would wear a bear suit around in the summer?” Sam asked with a chuckle.

  Henry nodded and smiled. “That’s an excellent point, Grandpa.”

  “You seemed a little sweet on Stacy Gage,” Sam said after a moment of silence.

  “I’m not sweet on her,” Henry corrected. “I was being polite.”

  “Never seen you be that polite to any other young lady in the area,” Sam teased. “And she seemed a little sweet on you, too.”

  Sam turned to see Henry staring off into the distance. “When are you going to tell her?” he asked, lowering his voice sympathetically.

  Henry didn’t look at him; he just slowly shook his head. “What? That I was responsible for her parents’ deaths? How about never?” he said.

  “No, actually, I was talking about you being the owner of Adventureland,” Sam replied. “But now that you bring it up, how long are you going to carry the guilt for a mistake you made as a fifteen-year-old kid?”

  Henry turned to Sam. “It’s not like I accidentally broke a window,” he said. “I killed her parents.”

  “You ran outside before a storm to get your mitt,” Sam argued.

  “And I didn’t latch the storm door,” Henry added. “I watched them being sucked out of the basement. I watched what my actions had caused, all because of a damn mitt.”

  There was silence in the car for the remainder of the drive to Henry’s house. Sam pulled up the large, circular drive and stopped at the front of the house. Before Henry could leave the car, Sam put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. Henry closed his eyes for a moment and sighed, then turned to his grandfather. “She’d forgive you, you know,” Sam said, meeting Henry’s eyes.

  Henry nodded slowly and opened the car door. “Maybe,” he said. “But I’m still not ready to forgive myself.�
�

  Jogging up the steps to the front door, Henry stopped at the landing and turned back to Sam, who was still idling in the driveway. “I appreciate your help, Grandpa,” he said. “I really do. But this is one of those things I’m going to have to work out on my own.”

  Sam nodded. “Just remember. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m your man.”

  Henry smiled. “I’ll remember that. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Henry.”

  The house was quiet when he entered, so Henry assumed his parents had already retired to their wing of the house. He walked through the foyer, down the hall and into the kitchen where he poured himself a large glass of milk and grabbed a handful of cookies from a plate on the counter. He was ready to head upstairs to his bedroom when he heard footsteps behind him.

  “How was your date with Grandpa?” Charlene Guthrie, his mother, asked, coming across the room and snatching half a cookie for herself.

  “It was good,” he replied non-committedly. “We went to Pop’s.”

  “Wow, Pop’s,” she said with a smile as she leaned back against the kitchen counter. “I haven’t been there in ages.”

  “Well, it’s not like they serve organic bean sprouts and salad there,” he teased. “The only salad was the lettuce and tomato on my burger.”

  She sighed deeply. “A burger,” she said, the envy clear in her voice. “How was it?”

  “Amazing,” he replied. “Almost as good as the deep-fried onion rings.”

  She playfully slapped his shoulder. “Stop it,” she said. “You’re just being cruel.”

  “Oh, yeah, and the french fries were hot and crisp,” he added with an evil grin. “And Mrs. Gage let me have a couple of her deep-fried cheese curds.”

  The smile left his mother’s face. “Mrs. Gage?” she asked. “I didn’t know she would be there. Did Sam pick her up?”

  He shook his head. “No, Stacy and her grandmother arrived before we did. The place was crowded, so we joined them.”