“How did you arrive at that name?” Suzy asked.
“Elan represents compassion and a certain amount of freedom,” Hattie explained. “We wanted it to be a place of freedom from their oppressive lifestyles and a haven of comfort for those we house within its walls. Howard and I will be funding scholarships and offering our leadership in the first year. After then the Director can appoint a board to help with governing decisions.”
“Sounds wonderful. I’m so happy this dismal situation is turning out for good after all,” Amy said.
Clara flipped through her files. “I just wanted to add that Chief Browning is really Susan Cantrell. Her father was somewhat involve with the trafficking but he drew the line at anything else. He blew the whistle on the gang and they left in a hurry with a trail of these victims behind. Mr. Cantrell served prison time for his part in the kidnappings, but the other two men were never found. Mr. Cantrell did give specifics as to their appearance and the aliases they used while running the Manor.”
She took a sip of iced tea and continued, “I went through some confidential files that a friend let me search. Using those aliases I found that one of them, a Randall Szeuchy, ran a prostitution ring in Argentina and was murdered by one of his clients. The other criminal was none other than a defrocked priest named Aloysius Perez. He is currently serving time in a Mexican prison for a laundry list of crimes. Plus I figure he’s got to be pretty old and will most likely die in prison.”
“How did Howard manage to buy the Manor from such sleazebags?” I asked.
“He went through an agency which of course was a dummy corporation to hide their identities,” Clara said very proud of her research.
“Well I guess that solves this case. Now we can go back to our regular routines,” Suzy observed. “When’s the next Thursday Club retreat? I think we should go to the mountains we haven’t had an adventure in the Smokies yet. What do you say Roxy?”
“Since you brought it up I will have to let you in on something that hasn’t been made public yet.” Everyone leaned in. I felt like that commercial on television where everything stops to hear what the stockbroker says.
“Here’s the thing. Tom and I have been reassigned by our District Advisor. We have only one month left here in Athena,” I said with a sigh.
“What are you babbling about?” Hattie demanded.
“We’re leaving,” I blurted out. “I wanted to tell you in person and not have you find out any other way. It’s just so hard,” and with that I snatched a tissue out of my purse and began to blubber.
“That’s not possible, is it?” Amy said and looked at Suzy then Hattie.
“I’ve not heard anything of the sort,” Clara said and I’m on the personnel committee.
“We got a letter from the head of the district,” I said through my sobs.
Hattie slid her cell out of her pocket and went out onto the patio. She came back in and her face said it all. She wasn’t happy.
I managed to pull myself together and urged the others to do the same. Callie had accompanied Hattie in the van. She offered to help serve lunch and I took her up on the offer. We took our places around the tables Tom set up for us on the patio. It was a beautiful day – a perfect day but all of God’s beauty didn’t lift my spirits. Unfortunately it was contagious. We ate and talked avoiding the huge elephant in the room. Debra offered some anecdotes from her bakery in London and for a few minutes we were distracted.
Hattie got a telephone call and Callie showed up to help her into the house. It wasn’t long before Neal appeared.
“Hello Neal. Come and join us. Have you had lunch? We have Pauline’s famous chicken salad plus some chocolate pastries,” I offered in my most ‘hostess with the mostess’ voice.
“Thank you Roxy, but I’m here on a mission. Where’s Aunt Hattie? I have news she is most anxious to hear,” Neal replied.
Debra took the opportunity to introduce herself. They took their conversation back into the house so we weren’t privy to the cousin introduction. I’m sure Neal knew all about Debra and Hattie’s connection. Not much gets by him. I’m not sure Debra knows about her cousin in the FBI and the twin who is incarcerated, but we can bring her up to date in no time.
“Time to load up Scarlett,” Hattie called from the hallway.
“Must you go so soon?” I asked.
“You heard Queen Hattie,” Suzy remarked. “She probably wants a rest after all this excitement.”
“I think I could take a nap myself. All this weeping takes it out of me,” Amy added.
“I know. I hated doing this to you, but I didn’t want a sneak attack from the newspaper, or the pulpit, or a big mouth on the street.”
“Just know that we aren’t going to take this lying down. Some of us have influence and we’ll take on the District Superintendent if we have to. We want you and Tom to stay at First Church indefinitely,” Clara put in her two cents. I knew she had influence with her connections at the newspaper but I imagine that her family’s roots go pretty deep in the district as well.
I insisted that Callie leave the clean up to me. It would help occupy my mind. Scarlett was loaded up and I waved good-by to the group. Debra went with them to have more time with her mom. How many more times would we be able to get together before the move? With that depressing thought I went to the bedroom to continue feeling sorry for myself.
~20~
The next morning I didn’t feel any more light-hearted than yesterday. Tom had purchased some U-Haul boxes so packing has officially begun. It would be a good time for a yard sale but my heart not to mention my enthusiasm wasn’t in it. Instead I would have a giveaway pile and a throw away pile. Simple enough but where to start?
Tom decided to pack up his study at First Church. I suppose the best thing for me to do is pack up the extra bedroom I claimed as my office. In reality, it is a ‘catch-all’ for the pictures I meant to frame, extra wrapping paper, and a repository for spring clothes, winter clothes, and all things that need repairs.
Under a stack of magazines I put aside to read, I found the first Thursday Club picture made at Golden Palms. I will never forget my first and (I hope) last funeral for a cat – even if he was an exceptional one.
I found the charm I purchased on the cruise ship where we experienced smugglers, friends of Dorothy, and much more. I meant to take it to the jeweler and have it soldered onto my bracelet. I need to take my ice pink bridesmaid dress to the cleaners. Although I will more than likely never bring myself to wear it again – Hattie and Howard’s wedding could never be duplicated. The memories of bonfires, pralines, and kidnapping all rush to my mind and I probably should take a break from all this bitter sweetness.
I got a hatbox from the closet and put in the pictures, the charm, and the pressed rose from my bridesmaid bouquet. This will be my memory box when I am feeling the need to touch base with my Thursday Club sisters. I christened it with a few tears.
My office was only partially boxed up. No matter. I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a giant glass of iced tea with lemon. No one has better tea than the South.
I looked around the kitchen that we painted together that first week. It was a sunny yellow. I loved the window over the sink that looked onto a vacant lot the community converted into the community garden. It was beginning to flourish. Any day now we would be getting fresh produce to distribute to those who were in need. Extra vegetables went to the local food pantry to be given away.
By midsummer the melons would be ready, but this year I wouldn’t be here to harvest them. The cantaloupe so firm and perfect. The watermelon with its sweet juice that ran down my cheek. Of course there would be other gardens wherever we were assigned, but it was too late for some plantings.
I loved the Jen Air range and had campaigned for it when we renovated the kitchen. It was my little luxury to have a grill top even when snow was on the ground. I thought back to the first Christmas here when I roasted chestnuts in the oven. No one told me that you were s
upposed to soak them and pierce the shells. When I opened the over door, they shot out like World War III. Tom thought we were being invaded. It took a while for them to stop pelting us but we later laughed about it and I swore him to secrecy.
Soon now it would be time to start planning the community wide barbeque which was always held over the Labor Day weekend. It took some coordination between the different clubs in the area so we started planning early. First Church was in charge this year, so I needed to remind the leaders of our commitment.
I heard rumors that the Community Playhouse would be trying their hand at a Shakespearean play this year. They will need all the help that they can get. Plays in this community were a hard sell and with Shakespeare on the marquee who knows? Part of me will be okay with missing that performance.
Everyone always says that they will stay in touch, but somehow life intervenes and friendships get put on a shelf. I vow that won’t happen with us. No matter how far away the district supervisor moves us, I refuse to give up my friendship with the girls of the Thursday Club.
I plopped down on the sofa and spied the candle purchased on our monastery retreat. Now that one was a hoot! The Korean spa experience has left an indelible mark on my tush and a groove in my brain. I don’t believe any of us will ever live that one down. And the kicker was that it was an extra treat that I arranged. Who knew?
So many memories – a feather boa from Roaring Twenties night, the jewelry with cat ashes inside, a program from a Las Vegas show, even a photograph of Amy and her boyfriend, William. I’m going to need a bigger box.
The back door slammed and shook me from my reverie. Tom came in. He looked a little flushed.
“Hi Hon. Ready for lunch?” I said in my most contrived cheerful voice.
“Not now, Roxy. We have to get to the Somewhere Bar fast.”
“Excuse me. It’s not even noon. I don’t think our situation is so bad that we have to start drinking at 11:00 a.m.”
“Don’t be silly. Howard called and needs us there for something. The bar is closed in the daytime. You know that,” Tom scolded.
“I’m only kidding. I’ll grab my purse and meet you at the car.”
“Is there anything wrong? Why do we need to go to a bar in the daytime,” I asked.
“Howard didn’t mention anything being wrong. He just asked that we come right away,” Tom said as he steered our trusty SUV into the parking lot of the Somewhere Bar. I don’t think I’ve been here since Hattie’s birthday party. That seemed like ages ago so much has happened since then.
“Scarlett is here. That’s strange. He must have invited Suzy and Amy. Or maybe Howard’s van is in the shop and he borrowed theirs. Anything is possible,” I mused.
Tom opened the door for me and stepped back. The entire building was filled with streamers, balloons, and flowers. Hattie and Howard came forward to meet us. The tears streamed down my face. I’m sure I looked like Rocky Raccoon with mascara running down my cheeks.
“Surprise,” everyone shouted. And by everyone I meant the Thursday Club and their spouses, Derek, Mr. Tom, Miss Merle, the Golden Palms entourage including Blanche, Elvira, and Leona. It was hard to tell since my vision was blurred from crying. Debra came to my aid with a box of tissues. Tom was obviously in on this and was commissioned to get me here at precisely the correct moment.
I greeted everyone as best I could. The buffet in the back of the bar kept people busy so that I had time to circulate through the group. I loved this good-by gesture but now leaving would hurt more than ever.
Tom seated me and said he would bring me a plate of food. Hattie wheeled in beside me.
“Were you surprised?” Hattie asked.
“Overwhelmed is more like it,” I said.
“Howard and I wanted to do something special for your farewell. We came up with this on our own. I didn’t invite those who would get all uppity about coming to a bar. Most of our real friends don’t give a hoot about that. So here we are,” Hattie beamed. Howard joined us with a plate heaped up with ribs and barbecue beans.
“You thought of everything,” Tom commented as he wiped barbecue sauce from his chin.
“Pauline and her crew catered, of course. I had staff willing to decorate. You two have a lot of friends here who wanted to make this special. I hope we did that for both of you,” Howard commented in between bites.
My plate was heaped up with food but I couldn’t seem to take a bite. I was full of emotion and had no appetite. Times like these were what I would miss the most.
Susan Cantrell, not Chief anymore, came by and thanked us for our efforts to clear her father’s name. She planned to take him back to their hometown since the doctors didn’t give him much hope for living out the year.
Suzy and Tony made their way to our table. Amy sat down next to Clara and Derek.
“The gang’s all here,” Suzy said. “Have you started packing? Is there anything we can do to help?”
Before I could answer, Howard interrupted.
“I have an announcement to make,” he said and tapped his ice tea glass, “It has come to my attention that First Church was looking to sell the parsonage and offer their next minister a housing allowance. In light of their situation I decided to buy the property. So, Roxy and Tom, there’s no reason to vacate just now. Also the Regents’ Board who bought the Manor as a residence for abused persons has asked me to offer Tom Thibideaux the directorship of the new Mercy Center. This is of course if he would like to stay in our community and assume this position. This is a lot to take in so of course Tom will need time to consider our offer, but I wanted all of you to know. Please keep this confidential until his resignation is formalized and the district sends their acceptance, but I think everyone pretty much knows. Not much is secret is our little burg.”
Laughter went throughout the crowd. All heads turned toward us. I looked at Tom. Had he known this all along? By the surprised look on his face, I would venture the answer to that one was a big fat ‘no’.
Tom stood and shook Howard’s hand. “Thank you Howard for this and all the rest. I will discuss this with Roxy and let you know our decision.”
Hattie grasped my hand. Suzy, Amy, and Clara were in tears.
“We’re staying,” I said. “We aren’t leaving until the fat lady sings and she has a lot more tunes in her repertoire.”
The End
Sheila S. Hudson is the author of the Thursday Club series: Murder at Golden Palms, Murder at Sea, Murder at the Mandelay, Murder at the Monastery, Murder on the Marquee, and Murder under the Christmas Tree published by Take Me Away Books.
Sheila is also the author of Classic City Murders: Volumes I and II published by ThomasMax Publishers, Inc. Her first publications were two nonfiction books: 13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life and 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage (Dancing with Bear Publishing). Sheila has contributed to Not Your Mother’s Book (2), Chocolate for Women (8), Chicken Soup, Patchwork Path (2), Love Stories (2) plus numerous periodicals.
All are available at www.amazon.com or on her website www.sheilahudsonwriter.com
Her byline also appears in Purple Pros and Costumer Magazine. Bright Ideas, the parent company, was established to bring hope and inspiration through the written/spoken word. Since 1983, Sheila has been affiliated with Southeastern Writers Association including two terms as president. Contact her at: [email protected]; [email protected] or visit www.13decisions.com or www.sheilahudsonwriter.com for information on speaking engagements and forthcoming books.
Sheila and her husband, Timothy L. Hudson, have worked in campus ministry for over 30 years -- 5 years with Christian Student Fellowship at Northern Kentucky University and 28 years at Christian Campus Ministry at the University of Georgia. They have been married for 48 years and have two daughters, a son, and seven grandsons.
Don’t miss any books in the series:
Murder at Golden Palms
Murder at Sea
Murder at the Monastery
Murder at the Mandelay
Murder on the Marquee
Murder Under the Christmas Tree
Thursday Club Mysteries: All 7 stories Page 37
