Scandal

by Patsy Brookshire

  I would have found it embarrassing if Dan hadn't whispered, "Ease up. This is theatre, and he's good at it. I hope the guy gives him a match."

  He did. They threw each other around the ring, jumped on each other's chests, attacked from behind and pulled other dirty tricks that brought the crowd to their feet, shouting Foul! among other pejorative screamings.

  I cringed at the thunder of the body slams, while Lena smiled. Eventually, after they'd banged into the ropes and bruised each other enough, Big Juan upended Ted The Trouncer by going in under his legs, flipping him flat on his back. Big held him there until the referee completed the count and declared him the winner.

  Lena screamed in jubilation and pride.

  I whispered in Dan's ear, "I've done my good deed for the year. Can we go now? Maybe pie?" He invited Sam and Magda. "Lena, want to come?" He named the only restaurant that would still be open.

  "Sure, we'll meet you there." Big Juan had hardly a bruise, only a tiny Band-Aid on his cheek when they joined us. The guys reprised the match blow by blow until I yawned.

  "I need to go. It's been a big day." I hugged Magda and Lena, told 'em I'd see them tomorrow at the show. I went to sleep that night thinking of my new acquisition, and glad the drama was all over. I looked forward to the next day and to taking home Judy's quilt.

  Chapter 42

  Scandal at the Willamina Quilt Show

  Day two started quietly enough with Dan and I dawdling away much of the morning. We didn't get to the Show until near eleven. I visited my Peace. It pleased me even more than it had the day before. I spent good time shopping, buying sturdy potholders and other homemade things for Christmas presents, plus a skirt for my Christmas tree. We went uptown and took tea with the Chamber of Commerce women serving us, ate a quick lunch again with the church ladies, and by one were back at the show.

  We examined the prize quilt made by the Guild women. I tried counting stitches on Lena's quilts but found myself going cross-eyed.

  The peace shattered with a shout that resounded through the room, "No! This is wrong!" A woman's voice. It came from the far side, back where the specialty quilts were.

  Every head turned.

  "Damn you, Len!"

  I started toward the commotion, turned to say something to Dan behind me, and saw Len. Apparently he'd been in the process of setting up his easel. Now he was headed towards the exit, carrying the framed Kamleika. A woman was behind him, carrying the easel. They weren't making much headway. Their exit was blocked by people going to see what the noise was about.

  Without even thinking I caught his upper arm. "I have something to say to you!"

  He tried to tug free.

  Dan, who was right behind me, stopped him. "The lady said she had something to say to you. Best stay here a moment, and listen." He grinned at Len. "I think there's more to come."

  Len plainly didn't want the crowd he'd drawn. But Magda and Sam flanked him on the other side.

  Sam said, "Yeah, Flash. I suspect it's your time to hang, and rattle."

  I stepped close so I was right in Len's face.

  "You said you were divorced. You scum. And the car isn't even yours. You're still a phony. Not many changes from the past, but you're a bigger liar than ever." I took my hand off his arm. "I'm through with him. Let him pass."

  "Oh, no." Before Dan, Sam and Magda could step aside, Katie Heap and a tall, striking blonde woman stepped up behind Dan. The blonde's black eyes were fairly snapping. She grabbed Len by the arm I'd just let go of, dragged him toward the back of the room.

  "Idiot! How could you think you could get away with this? Think I'd not see it?" All this while she was yanking on him, and he was stumbling along.

  We all followed them to the specialty quilts area, where Len's prize winning quilt was hanging. On the tag attached it was printed, large and dark, "Quilt made by Len Bolder."

  The woman ripped off the paper.

  "Hey. You can't do that!" Magda said.

  The woman held Len's arm in a tight grip. She was strong. Len was pale, as he said, "I can explain."

  She gave Len's arm another yank. "You're going to tell these people that this signature--L. Bolder--is me, Linda. Not you!"

  Linda Bolder. All became clear. Len's wife. Her fury reinforced her demand. "Now."

  "Linda, look, it's no big deal. Another chance for people to see your excellent work. I was gonna tell them."

  Linda started taking down the quilt. "Sorry," she said to Magda and the other Guild women gathered around. "I'd be proud to have my quilt in your show, but only with my name on it. Len here sometimes gets confused about what's his, and what's mine."

  He wouldn't shut up. "We learned how to make that quilt together. So you made it, big deal. I could have. It was an honest mistake, really. Lin, when I picked up your quilt from the Fair I just brought it here. They were confused about who made it. I was going to tell them."

  I felt like slapping him. "Nothing honest about it Len. You lied to me about the quilt. And you lied to me about her. Said you'd divorced."

  Linda let go of him with a shove, so that he stumbled towards me. "You can have him."

  "Hey!" he wailed, ending in a whine, "I just let you think what you wanted to. I didn't lie."

  I shoved him back towards her. "He's a piece of scum I don't need to see again." To him I said, "You used me to get your wife's quilt in the show."

  Lena stepped up. "Magda, maybe we should call the police, get this jerk's ass thrown in jail for fraud. I don't like men who are liars." She advanced on him, but Big Juan touched her gently on her shoulder.

  "Sweet one, let's let Magda and the girls take care of this one, shall we?" Like coming out of a sudden trance Lena stepped back and flipped her hand at Len. "Let the creep go. We don't need our Quilt Show slimed by the likes of him." She cuddled back into Big Juan's embrace.

  "There is the matter of the Kamleika," Katie said, as the entry door opened and Sheriff Kelly and Deputy Bybee walked in. "We didn't come alone."

  "Damn!" Len spat. "See what you've done now."

  "Don't blame Katie," said Linda. "Once I learned what you were showing here, I called the police. I've chosen to be blind to your behavior, but this is stealing from people who trusted me, as well as committing what is probably a Federal crime. My sister told me about the Kamleika missing from her brother-in-law's house. I never suspected you had it."

  The crowd was absolutely silent. Sheriff Kelly stepped up to Len, relieved him of the Kamleika, and handed it off to Linda. "We'll be needing this. Hold on to it until we're done here." Deputy Bybee relieved the girlfriend of the easel. With one hand Sheriff Kelly folded Len's arms behind him, with the other he snapped handcuffs around his wrists. The sound they made when they closed rang through the silence of the hall.

  Len's face turned red. "No! This is all a mistake. I can explain!"

  The sheriff said, "We've been in touch with the authorities in Alaska and they're eager to talk to you. You're under arrest for theft under the Native Antiquities act of Alaska."

  Len stopped struggling and paled as he listened to Sheriff Kelly read him his rights.

  At the end he said, "I want a lawyer. Linda, call our lawyer."

  "Sorry, he's my lawyer, now. You can use your one call to find you another one."

  Linda almost had the quilt off the frame when Magda caught her hand. "We'd be happy to have your quilt in the show. It's wonderful. We'll make up a new info tag."

  Linda stopped, "Okay. I don't blame you. I know how convincing he can be."

  I whispered to Magda, "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this."

  She whispered back, "Don't worry about it. Gave the show a little extra zip."

  The woman who'd been with Len came over and said, to both Linda and me, "I just met him a couple days ago. He seemed like a real nice guy. I'll call a friend to pick me up."

  Katie said, "I can give you a ride. Turns out I'll be driving my car that way."

  "That would be g
reat. I'll need to pick up my things at the motel. I'll be ready when you are."

  From his shirt pocket Dan pulled out his completed Art Tour form. "Whoops, we don't want to forget this." I took mine from my purse and we put the both of them in the collection box.

  We stayed to help clean up the show and then went to Sam's and Magda's house to see how Sweethearts looked on their bed. It was a perfect fit. I'd swear Sam had a couple of tears, but he quickly wiped them away, so I can't be sure.

  "So when am I going to see you again?" Magda said. "What's your next quilt going to be?"

  "Next quilt?" I was thinking of a small star quilt to make for a young friend's baby. But after that I'm done with this quilting thing. Maybe one for my bed at home. Our bed? Perhaps. Something special. That will be enough.

  Magda's right. The making of this quilt was soothing, but all this other drama? I need for my life to slow down. I've got thinking to do. While I'm thinking I could be making that little quilt.

  "I do have some questions about how you make a baby quilt, Magda. I'll be in touch, soon. By the way, what is your address?"

  On our way out of town I had Dan stop at the post office where, from my purse I pulled out the "Wish you were here" postcard and wrote on it: Sam, you lucky old fool, your new home is 'here'. Magda, welcome to the family. You good hearts belong together. Congratulations. Love, Annie & Dan. P.S. We'll be by soon, Dan needs banana bread.

  I put a stamp on it and with a giggle I dropped it in the mail slot.

  Once we were on the highway I said to Dan, "Boy, I think we'll win something, don't you? We had lunch there at the church, and went to every store and shop and you even bought me a pretty. We gotta win something, right?"

  "Honey, all I can say is, if we don't it'll be a scandal."

  THE END

  Author's Note

  The following books and articles were invaluable to me while I was crafting this story.

  Secrets of Eskimo Skin Sewing by Edna Wilder, 1976, Alaska Northwest Publishing Company, p. 94-96

  The Quilter's Catalog, A Comprehensive Resource Guide by Meg Cox, 2008 Workman Publishing Company, Inc.

  Parka (Kamleika) Inuit, (from Wikipedia). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamleika

  History of the Kayak, (from Wikipedia). www.coastmountainsexpeditions.com/.../history-sea-kayak-artic-mod...

  About the Author

  I was raised in the Willamette Valley of Portland, Oregon area. I've been writing since the eighth grade. I currently focus on fiction set in Oregon with romantic, mystery, quilting, and historical themes. My non-writing work history is varied, from retail to kitchens. My primary work has been as a counselor. I've lived in big cities, now treasure the simple life, living next to the beach and a wetland. Have lived on both coasts of America, and in the desert, where I attended college. I've married twice, have two children, four grandchildren, all grown. I enjoy traveling with my husband, John Port. I am an Anglophile, love American history as well. When I'm not writing or reading, I'm working in my garden, sewing, cooking, or opening the door for our two cats. I want to build a small chicken house and raise a few chickens.

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