by Karen Kelly
“And the shoppers will enjoy buying your pillows today, no doubt about it,” Alice said, starting to look perkier now that some caffeine was in her system. She set her bag on the table. “Here are my Micmac-inspired place mats.”
The three woman were bent over Alice’s cross-stitched mats when they heard Jason’s New York accent. “Good morning, ladies.”
“Good morning, Jason,” they chorused. Alice mugged in her best gangster impression, “Do you have the goods?” They all knew Stella was helping at the booth run by the Cultural Center all day.
Jason grinned and lifted a wide briefcase, setting it on the table next to the placemats. With a touch he sprang the lock and raised the top. All three of the crafters caught their breath in delight. Mary Beth drew out one of the scarves, the color of an icy blue river with currents and islands depicted in beige. “Fine, fine work, as always,” Mary Beth murmured.
“Oh, is that Stella’s project?” Gwen’s voice startled them. “I hope I can reach her level of perfection some day!” She reached out to lightly finger the edge of the scarf. “It’s one hundred percent wool too. It will be so cozy and warm in the cold.”
“Gwen, I’ve seen some pretty perfect work from you too,” said Mary Beth. “You have something for us, right?”
Kate hurried up to the booth before Gwen could answer. “Hi, everyone! Sorry I’m a little late. I needed to drop Vanessa off at the volleyball booth, and one of the coaches started asking me about the display. Guess he figured I’d been trained by the best and wanted to make good use of my training.” She scanned the pieces that were already on the table. “Oh, Stella was so right about this theme. The shoppers are going to love the variety!”
“Gwen was just going to show us her pieces,” said Annie.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Kate laughed. “I’m dying to see too.”
Gwen opened her tote bag and drew out several knit evening purses with beading. Everyone recognized the pattern of delicate green leaves with lavender and periwinkle flowers from the regalia collar.
“I thought it would be appropriate to use a design from Great-Grandmother’s collar,” Gwen said. “It’s funny, isn’t it? A part of my heritage was just like that beautifully beaded piece—boxed in, locked up, and hidden away. Annie freed both with her discovery and her curiosity. For that, I am blessed, and I am thankful.”
Silence fell over the little group as each friend thought of the journey the pattern had traveled to end up in the exquisite purses. Eyes misted over like a foggy morning in Maine. Annie was the first to speak.
“Gwen, the purses are beautiful,” she said, almost in a whisper, “but the beauty of you finding the pathway to your Passamaquoddy past … well, that’s almost miraculous.”
Jason coughed uneasily, feeling out of place in that private moment between the friends. “If you ladies will excuse me, I need to get back to Stella.”
Mary Beth looked up. “Of course, Jason. Tell Stella we all love her scarves, and we’re sure everyone else will too.” Jason tipped his hat and strode away. “If I had known this was going to be so emotional, I think I would have had everyone bring their things yesterday.” She turned to Kate. “OK, go ahead. Finish this amazing collection we’ve got going.”
“Vanessa wanted to help too,” said Kate. “She made coffee-cup cozies, using some of our leftover yarns.” She opened her large tote bag and set several handfuls of cozies of different colors and thickness on the table.
“What a clever idea!” said Alice. She plucked up a thick silk cozy in a bright, multicolored yarn of purples, blues, reds, and greens. “I want this one.” She reached into her pocket for her wallet.
“Be sure to tell Vanessa that she made the first sale,” said Mary Beth. “That girl has a future at A Stitch In Time, just like her mother.”
Kate smiled. “I will.” She reached into the tote again and drew out one of her shawls. “I made them in a few different colors.” She spread out a triangular shawl in dark red. They saw that she had taken the curator’s advice and had chosen not to add any beading. The shawls didn’t need them. The evergreen tree pattern had more than enough impact on its own. Not one to draw attention to herself, Kate quickly emptied her tote and stored it under the booth. “We better get these displayed,” she said, looking at her watch. “It won’t be long before folks start arriving.”
“I need to go help John at the bank’s display,” said Gwen. She smiled at Annie and Alice. “We’re serving hot cocoa and apple cider.” She fingered the pile of cozies. “Would it be OK to bring some of these to our booth?”
Mary Beth nodded. “That’s a great idea, Gwen. If you run out, just call me on my cell phone, and I’ll have someone run more to you.”
Gwen scooped up several cozies. “Bye, everyone!”
Mary Beth put Alice and Annie to work, and the display was finished before the first comers arrived. Ian came by on his tour of all the booths, making sure everyone had what they needed for a successful Harvest celebration. He admired the display of handcrafts. “The club has topped all prior years with their work this time, Mary Beth. I didn’t know how you were going to do that!” His eyes rested on the blue and white urchin pillows. “Becky keeps telling me I need some ‘accent pieces’ in my house. These would look fine on my sofa, I think. I’ll take two and be your first sale of the day.”
“Too late, Mayor. I beat you to it.” Alice crowed. “But your sister-in-law is right. Your house could do with a little more oomph.” She reached under the booth’s table for a bag.
“A person’s got to get up mighty early to beat you, Alice,” Ian faked a wince as he pulled out some neatly folded bills.
“Yes, that is definitely the only sure way,” said Annie, laughing.
Ian paid for his pillows and continued on the final part of his inspection. It wasn’t long before the four women were all helping customers and sharing the inspiration for the pieces. Annie was relieved when she saw Cecil shortly after the starting time. She’d wanted him to see as many of the handcrafts as possible before they were sold. A crowd of family surrounded him, most bearing a Lewey resemblance. After making introductions, Cecil turned to Mary Beth.
“Miss Brock, your club has honored the Passamaquoddy people with your expert and thoughtful art,” Cecil said solemnly. “Thank you.”
“Mr. Lewey, I think I can speak for all the members and say it has been a project of the heart more than we ever imagined it would be,” Mary Beth replied.
“I feel like we’re the ones that have had the honor to be able to do this and learn so much,” said Alice. Kate and Annie nodded their agreement.
Martin, Cecil’s son, pulled out his camera. “Do you mind if I take some photos of the pieces?” he asked.
“Only if you promise to send me some copies at the store,” Mary Beth answered.
“I’d be glad to,” Martin said, his camera already up to his eye. When he finished, the family moved along to enjoy the other displays and allow other people to see the handcrafted pieces.
Before noon arrived, the four ladies stood before an empty display. Mary Beth stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the table. “I know I said the pieces would sell fast, but I didn’t expect to be done by lunch!”
“That’s a first,” said Alice. “Now we can go enjoy the other displays. And I could really go for some of that chowder.”
Annie rubbed her hands together. “And some of that hot cocoa to go with it.”
“How about you go get us cocoa, and I’ll snag the chowder. Then meet me back at the picnic tables,” Alice suggested.
“You’re on. Do y’all want to join us?” Annie asked Mary Beth and Kate.
“I might find you at the tables in a while,” answered Mary Beth. “I want to get the rest of the table packed up so we don’t confuse the afternoon crowd.”
Kate shook her head. “I’d love to, but I’m due over at the volleyball booth soon. I’ll have to grab something quick.”
“We’
ll pop over to see you and Vanessa,” said Alice. Then she and Annie left to find their food.
Annie realized as she was weaving through the crowd that she might be about to face John. She hadn’t seen him all month. Her crochet and jelly-making had kept her at home most of the time. Gwen had told her John had adjusted to the changes in Gwen, but Annie didn’t know if he’d changed his mind about “that meddler.”
“If Gwen’s ancestors could face all the challenges they had forced on them, surely I can face one bank president,” Annie muttered. As she approached the bank’s booth, she quickly prayed for grace. “Hi, Gwen. Hi, John,” she said. “Alice and I have been dreaming of your hot cocoa all morning.”
Gwen smiled at her. “How is business?”
“We sold out!” Annie exclaimed. “Your purses practically flew off the table.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. The community pantry should be able to give away more turkey dinners than even last year.”
John had been staring at the urn of cider but lifted his eyes to look at Annie. “The Hook and Needle Club has accomplished a great service to the community.”
“Thank you, John,” said Annie. “I think we have all gained much more than we gave.”
After a moment of silence, John spoke again, “Annie, would you take a quick walk with me?” Gwen smiled encouragement to her.
“Sure,” Annie said. John left the booth, and they walked slowly away from the line of booths.
“I want to apologize for my behavior last month,” John began. “There is no excuse for my hasty reaction.” He paused. “I hope you can forgive me.”
“John, I already have,” said Annie. “You were worried about Gwen, and I know how that feels.”
“I shouldn’t have lost control. I said things that weren’t true.”
“As someone who has spoken in haste more times than she can ever count, I can hardly hold that against you, John.” Annie smiled up at him. “Would you and Gwen like to have some chowder with Alice and me?”
“I’ll let Gwen speak for herself, but I’m sure I can delegate the booth activity so we can get away for a bite to eat.” They walked back to the booth, where Gwen enthusiastically accepted Annie’s invitation and poured four cups of cocoa.
John detoured toward the chowder booth for two more bowls of soup, while Annie and Gwen carried the cocoa over to where Alice sat.
“Hi, Gwen. I would have bought you a bowl of chowder if I’d known you were coming,” said Alice.
Gwen sat across from her. “John went to get us some.”
Alice smiled as she blew on the thick chowder filling her spoon. “Good! It smells amazing.” She cautiously sipped some. “The judges got it right. This tastes as delicious as it smells.”
“I’m glad the chowder hasn’t sold out as fast as our projects,” said Annie, picking up her spoon. “I’m starving.”
“This has been the best Harvest day we’ve had yet,” said Gwen. “The weather is as good as it can be.”
“Remember that year with all the wind?” said Alice. “When the volunteer fire department’s booth blew over and fell into the water? It was frigid!”
“And Todd Butler rescued it with his boat, hauling it in like a lobster trap,” Gwen added, laughing.
“I think every year since then Reverend Wallace has been spending extra hours praying about the weather,” added Alice.
“What am I missing?” John said as he set a bowl of soup in front of Gwen and sat down with his own.
“Memories of Harvest days past,” answered Annie. “I’m not sure if I should be happy or sad that I wasn’t here for them.”
“Told her about the year with the bit of wind, did you?” John kept a straight face but his eyes held laughter.
Annie noticed Cecil and his family weaving between the picnic tables with bowls and stood to wave at them. “Cecil! Over here!” When the family drew close to the table, she said, “John and Gwen, have you met Cecil’s family?”
Gwen smiled. “I think I’ve seen them all at one time or another at Ocean View but never all together at once.” She introduced Martin and Nataline to John, who shook their hands.
“Do you think you can all fit?” John asked, waving at the rest of the table.
“We’re used to squeezing together during meals at holidays,” Nataline grinned. “We’ve gotten pretty good at it.” The family demonstrated by managing to arrange themselves on the remaining bench space.
“Cecil, thank you for telling me about the Picture Rocks in Machias,” Gwen said. “John is taking a day off next week, and we’re going to go see them.”
Cecil nodded. “I think you will find it a powerful experience, seeing petroglyphs made by Passamaquoddy people thousands of years ago.”
“We’re thinking of taking our children when they visit next time,” said John. He turned to Gwen. “Did you tell Cecil about Maddy?”
“No, I haven’t had a chance yet,” replied Gwen. “Do you remember how Annie posted requests for information on some of the genealogy websites?”
Cecil nodded.
“Maddy replied to one of them. She’s a relative of mine that I didn’t know I had! We’re going to meet at the Rocks and spend some time together.”
Annie looked down the table filled with people eating, talking, and laughing. Her excitement over her family’s visit for Thanksgiving had not waned at all. But now, more than ever, she knew that once the visit was over, she still had family in Stony Point.
About The Author
Karen Kelly has been gripped by a love of story as long as she can remember. After writing special features for a New York Times regional publication she turned to her first love, fiction for children and adults. Boxed In is her eighth published book. Karen lives in Florida, where she homeschools her three sons and enjoys off-road cycling, singing, exploring and taking classes at a classical study center. Over the years she has pursued a variety of handcrafts, such as cross-stitch, quilling, ceramics, and basket weaving. She looks forward to returning to them in the future.
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About The Author
