by Bill WENHAM
They were all having dinner at Judy’s house and there were twelve of them altogether. Almost and his wife, Jennie, was there, together with Carl and Lisa. David and Rosetta, Erica and Russ Harris, Doc, Pam, and Donna completed the party, with Judy as their chef and hostess.
Erica continued. “I’ve decided to sell my house down in Rutland and move up here,” she told them. “Carl has agreed to sell the house he’s inherited from Errol Cook. Therefore, folks, as of the first of June, I will be the new voice of the Cooper’s Corners Sheriff’s office, on the radio, at least. Judy and I have agreed Carl should be allowed to continue to have a small say in some of the lesser, unimportant things. And, Almost, you can relax as well. The ladies will always make the decision as to when to pick up the donuts. That is way too important for a mere man to decide.”
Actually, after her shooting of Bernie Woodall, Erica had become quite a celebrity in the whole county. In fact, even Burlington’s CBS TV station, WCAX, had done an in-person interview with her. Her story had been covered in all of the local papers and by every one of the radio stations in the county.
She and David were considered to be the local hero and heroine, even though neither of them were from Cooper’s Corners. Erica especially, had been likened to the hardy pioneer women who’d protected the homestead whilst their men folk were away hunting and fighting.
In David’s case he’d also been considered a hero but he’d just thought of himself as not being smart enough to slide over to the driver’s side when he’d gotten out of Almost’s cruiser.
That would have been the smart and safer way, putting the car between the killer and himself, as the other two had done. Although that had been David’s take on the incident, the shopkeepers watching the action from inside their stores had viewing David completely differently.
They had seen him as bravely standing out in front, trying to protect Carl and Almost. Some were even speculating as to how he’d managed to cause the rifle to explode.
When David had heard all about this and had protested to Carl, he’d just said, “Let it be, Dave. If the gossip in this place said you did it, then Dave buddy, believe me, whether you knew it or not, you did it! Nothing you can say or do now is gonna change a goddamned thing. Just thank your lucky stars it was something good they thought you did.”
“But, Carl, if they believe that, it looks as though you and Almost were hiding, for God’s sake! It’s all a lie and I can’t let them continue to believe it.”
Carl gave him an exasperated look.
“Listen to me, Dave; right now the folks around here think you’re some kind of Superman, okay? So surely it’s not going to hurt you to pop into a phone booth once in a while, so they can carry on thinking it, is it?” Carl said. “You have to understand, Dave, that Cooper’s Corners is a small place and we, that’s you, me and Almost, are the keepers of the peace and the protectors of the people. The folks around here need to believe we’re capable of doing both those things for them. Right now, they believe they’ve seen you do it and if they think you’re Superman, like it or not, you’re bloody Superman. So why burst their bubble? To them, both you and Erica are heroes and after the mess we’ve been through lately, they really need someone like you two to believe in and look up to.”
David shook his head wonderingly.
“I was only thinking of you and Almost, Carl. Their versions of it makes you and Almost look pretty bad. Like cowards even.”
“Then I’d better tell you a couple more home truths, my friend. First of all, nobody in this town really thinks Almost and I were hiding from anything. They all know us better than that. It just improves the taste of the flavor of the month. That’s you, by the way, which leads me to my second home truth. Enjoy the adoration of the masses while you can, Dave, because it won’t last. It never does.”
He gave a big grin and then continued. “Just when you think you’ve got it made, some dumb farmer’s two headed calf or his prize pig is gonna come along to knock you right off your goddamned pedestal and right on to your ass. And when that happens, just remember those things don’t deserve their attention any more than you do. The fall from adoration can be very humbling, Davey boy. I know it from experience.”
In Erica’s case, the fact she’d also avenged her younger sister by personally shooting her killer, was just icing on the media’s cake. Carl had also taken her, together with Judy and Lisa, to a poker night at the Parrish Hall. He thought it would be good for her to meet some of the unseen local lookouts who’d contributed so greatly to the success of that day.
After she’d easily and soundly beaten old Bert in four straight hands of poker, she suddenly found she’d attracted quite a few new admirers in the Parish Hall. Amongst them was Russ Harris, who’d already been made aware by Carl that he’d ceased to be a killer’s target thanks to Erica’s quick and decisive action. Russ was young, good looking, interesting and interested. And most importantly, as far as Erica was concerned, he was completely unattached. The two of them had hit it off immediately.
Later in the evening, Doc asked Judy privately if she needed an investor for her new restaurant venture. He planned to sell the place he had up in Maine, he explained. Judy raised her eloquent eyebrows at him.
“I’d be tickled pink to go into any kind of a partnership, restaurant or otherwise, with you, you old charmer,” she said, giving him a huge hug.
Carl was glad Cooper’s Corners hadn’t beaten Vermont’s murder record. Murder, or any other crime for that matter, wasn’t something a community wanted to be famous for. As far as Carl was concerned, even as a law man, the killings they’d had were enough to last him a lifetime. He was pleased though, the whole thing, at the end, had been contained and resolved within his own jurisdiction. It wasn’t just a matter of ego either. It was a matter of pride in a job well done
Carl had always been proud to be the local Sheriff, and come election time he had no doubt he’d continue to be. Just as long as Dave didn’t decide to run against him. He wouldn’t do that. Would he?
When Carl unloaded the rifles in his office and had replaced them all back in the rack, he fervently hoped he’d never again have cause to take one of them down off the wall again except for cleaning. His thoughts were interrupted by Erica on the radio.
“Almost, where the hell are you? I’ve had the coffee made for over five minutes now. You only had to buy the donuts, not make the goddamned things. Get your butt in here.”
Carl smiled broadly. She’d do. She’d do very well indeed. Jude had trained her well. She even had Jude’s entire vocabulary down pat. It looked as though Cooper’s Corners was still in good hands.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Apart from willing his house to Carl Errol Cook had made a number of other bequests. They ranged in size from relatively small and almost trivial, to some that were huge. One of the smaller ones was to the Parrish Hall, to buy new card tables to replace their old, beat up and rickety ones, and also to replace their old coffee urn. Errol and Dolly had spent many happy hours there in the Parrish Hall, at the dances that were held there. Errol had also been a regular poker player on Friday nights while Dolly was at Bingo with Iona and Patti.
They’d also enjoyed many delicious and generously portioned meals at Lisa’s diner together. On one of his more sober visits with Donna, he’d heard about the theft of her old car. Fortunately for Lisa he’d not heard about the Honda being returned to her, much the worse for having been filled with snow. His bequest to Lisa was to leave her enough money to buy herself a new car.
He’d also set aside a considerable amount of money for his two long time and long suffering friends, Donna and Pam. Both of them were first of all astounded by the bequest itself and then were absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of it. He’d also made several others, to people he either respected or who had been particularly good to him. They included Judy, Almost and perhaps most surprisingly, Doc.
Apart from those and his gift of his house to Carl, to di
spose of as he saw fit, the balance of his estate was to go to the project he’d discussed with Carl. At the time of these discussions, Carl had no idea he was included in any way in Errol’s will. Carl had merely arranged for a local lawyer to visit Errol in hospital to record the details of his will.
Carl also arranged for the necessary contractors to demolish the Finlay house Errol had purchased through the lawyer.
In its place a new and fully equipped Community Center was to be built, with Jack’s fields being turned into an eighteen hole golf course.
It was well known that Errol had worked for the ‘Rock of Ages’ granite company in Barre until his accident and early retirement. What wasn’t known until now was that Errol had never needed to work at all. His parents had left him both independently and extremely wealthy. But Errol hadn’t liked his parent’s luxury life style and had opted for the quiet serenity of rural Vermont.
It had been in this setting that he’d met, courted and competed for the affections of Dolly. He’d never used his secret wealth as a lever to win her affections either. He’d wanted Dolly to want him for himself, not his money. Even Dolly herself had never known what he was worth, other than as people said; they as a couple obviously weren’t hurting for a buck or two.
As executor, Carl had generally overseen the building arrangements for the new Center, dealing with deadlines and the various contractors. While thinking about Errol’s bequest to his community, Carl was reminded of a story he’d read years before.
It concerned an old man who’d sat outside the front doors of a large, multi-storey office block in the downtown core of a major city. He’d sat there, day after day, behind a folding card table, in all weathers. On his table he had pencils, matches, and other cheap necessities for sale. People going in and out of the office building felt sorry for him, always said hello to him, and always bought something from the old man’s table. Until, one day, he just wasn’t there any more.
His customers were advised by the building’s management, that the old man had passed away. The management was as astounded as their tenants were when it was discovered the old man had actually owned the building he’d sat in front of for all those years.
He’d preferred his pleasant lifestyle of friendly conversations with his numerous daily customers. It was so much more satisfying to him than his previous role of being a cutthroat business tycoon. The old man had died happy, missed by his many friends and customers.
Errol’s life had been very similar, Carl thought. He’d had access to more money than he’d ever need. But all he’d ever wanted was a simple life, with a loving wife and the affection and companionship of his friends and neighbors. All of that, he could find in Cooper’s Corners, but only if he was like everyone else. Honest, hardworking and loyal. But five years ago he’d become living proof that money can’t buy happiness.
Carl thought too, of the many lottery winners who’d won huge sums of money and of the way some of their lives had changed dramatically as a result of it and not for the better. Some of them had even committed suicide because they couldn’t handle the money or the pressure that came with it.
At the time they’d bought their tickets, they really had no idea how lucky they already were. But once they had money, big money, no one had ever looked at them in the same way ever again.
Errol had been one of the smart ones. Well, maybe not that smart. Although he personally had handled all of their financial affairs, perhaps he should have let his Dolly into his little secret. But he’d worried if he did, just like the lottery winners, Dolly would treat him differently.
Well, Carl thought, if he had told her, it was a goddamned sure bet she wouldn’t have even dreamed of running off anywhere or with anyone else, not even Doc. She probably would have curbed her tongue a bit. Even Dolly wouldn’t have wanted to talk her golden goose to death.
If only she’d known. How different things would have been.
A year later when the Community Center was finished Carl invited the media, various local and county dignitaries, the ministers, the judges and others well placed in the community to the Grand Opening.
Once those and the associated publicity were all taken care of, Carl made sure that everyone else who mattered to Errol was invited. He’d arranged, as Errol had requested, two more things.
First, was that it would be opened on Independence Day, the Fourth of July, which happened to have been Errol and Dolly’s wedding day. The second was that it would be named ‘The Dolly Cook Memorial Community Center’.
There were tears in almost everyone’s eyes as the draperies dropped away revealing the inscription carved in stone over the massive doorway. The day continued with a huge Fourth of July celebration party, complete, as darkness fell, with a doubly appropriate display of fireworks. Most of the townsfolk, together with their kids, relatives and friends had all turned out for the Grand Opening.
During the warm summer afternoon, the first annual ‘Errol Cook Annual Invitational Golf Tournament’ was in full swing. Carl, Lisa, Doc and Judy made up a foursome, on the understanding that Judy would hold her tongue during any of her companions’ swings or putts or forfeit her entire game, plus a month of free dinners for her companions.
Judy had opened her restaurant just three weeks before, also with a Grand Opening. But hers had been a private affair for a couple of dozen of her closest friends. The only person who ever really called her Judy, was Judy herself, so after long discussions, careful consideration and much quaffing of wine, they decided on a most appropriate name for it.
The large sign above the door proudly proclaimed it as… ‘Jude’s Place’
Some other changes had also taken place during the past year. Irene Fox had handed over the running and future ownership of her donut shop to her daughter, Kathy. Irene had joined Judy to help her with the running of the restaurant, while Pam and Donna’s daughters had both been hired as ‘hostesses’ at ‘Jude’s Place’.
On the romantic scene, Carl and Lisa, Erica and Russ and Doc and Judy were all seeing each other regularly, as were David and Rosetta. With Alvin Ryan’s complete approval, David had given up his job at the appliance store. It wasn’t that Alvin wanted to get rid of him, but Alvin was also a keen golfer. David was now, by popular acclaim, the general manager of the Dolly Cook Memorial Community Center and Golf Club.
He was also on call as a part time deputy if and when needed, with a brand new uniform all of his own.
One of the first actions David had performed as the Golf Club General Manager, was to offer lifetime memberships to Sam Connor and his wife, as an apology for ‘borrowing’ his Buick.
He also had Jack Finlay’s old Ford tractor brought up from Sam Connor’s field and repainted in its original color scheme. Then it was placed in a mini putting green with other farm implements as hazard challenges for the kids. If they thought to hit a golf ball around it was hard, he hoped none of them would ever be put in a position to have to use one as he’d done.
He’d put it there as a constant reminder of how he’d gotten to where he was today and how fortunate he’d been to be dropped off in Cooper’s Corners.
When Lisa’s family had returned from Florida in the spring, Carl, Lisa and David had a proposal for them. David said if they were interested, and only during the summer months, he’d like them to operate the Golf Club snack bar for him.
Lisa and Rosetta would continue to run the diner just a short way down the highway. Carl also suggested they might want to consider building a few modern motel style units on the end of the diner to cater to the additional trade which was now coming into the community, much of it drawn by the Golf Club.
Lisa and Judy went into a joint advertising campaign together since they realized they weren’t really competitive with each other at all. ‘Lisa’s Lunch and Lodgings’ catered to the breakfast, lunch and casual diners from the highway, plus her diehard local regulars.
‘Jude’s Place’ provided a fine and elegant dining experience for
locals and visitors alike in a typical New England rural setting. Both establishments were very popular, especially since they were now officially listed in the Triple A Tour Book and were on the scenic route.
The only person, who wasn’t too happy about the final outcome of the ‘Cooper’s Corners Killer’ episode, was Ellis Perrin. Since his rifle had been damaged in the commission of an attempted violent crime, the insurance company had flatly refused to pay out to replace it. Upon examination, they had claimed if Ellis had cleaned it properly immediately after the car accident, it wouldn’t have exploded. The damage was due to his negligence, they said. The fact that David Gates would have also have been very dead as well by now if he had cleaned it, didn’t seem to enter into their calculations at all.
Carl had a brief discussion with Errol’s lawyer and the lawyer agreed that since Carl was Errol’s executor, he could make any additions or adjustments he wanted to. Provided, of course, all of Errol’s listed requirements for the community were met first.
Ellis was invited to the Grand Opening and was presented with a brand new rifle, on the understanding, made in front of everyone present, he would promise not to shoot Elsie Hicks with it!
Carl looked fondly around at his friends on this beautiful Independence Day and said quietly in an aside to Doc, “It’s on days like these I think my way of doing things works out pretty well sometimes, eh, Doc?”
“Can’t argue with that, Carl, except that’s my ball you’re about to take a whack at. Yours is over there in the rough,” Doc grinned.
Yes, sir, Carl said to himself, on a lovely warm day, in the company of these wonderful people and in his Cooper’s Corners, one of the most beautiful places on God’s earth, who the hell cared if he was in the goddamned rough on a golf course!
Everything else in Cooper’s Corners was going to be smooth sailing from now on.
