by T. G. Hanson
At nineteen Henry was on his own, working at the same factory as his father had and stuck in Mystic Pines. The one bit of advice Henry did listen to, was that he never married nor had any kids.
A large man, “big boned” his mother had always said, and looking a bit like Grisly Adams with his full head of longish, thick dark brown hair and full beard, he guessed people in general found him a bit threatening looking. Most women tended to look the other way when he glanced at them. He had dated a few times when he was younger but he had the mind that women, in general, were way too clingy and demanding for his taste.
He never cared much for other people. Maybe it was because of how he had grown up or maybe because he felt uncomfortable around others. He never had much to say and wasn't witty or smart, so people didn't notice him much. If anything, they tended to shy away from him.
******
Not long after his mother passed away Henry sold his parents run down home, took the little bit of money he had managed to save over the years and bought the house he now lived in on Marple Lane. It was a bit run-down when he purchased it but even so, was much nicer than where he grew up and not on cheap side.
Over the years Henry had fixed the house up a bit here and there. With the help of his neighbor Frank, he had managed to repair the roof and added some nice windows. Frank even came over and helped Henry paint the entire house on a weekend. It was now a nice beige color with brown trim.
At fifty-three Henry hurt his back while working in the factory and took early retirement. He did get a nice little settlement from the factory that he thought would last till he could collect social security. That was until he got a computer and the internet and discovered online gambling.
He was winning a lot and then one day started losing and kept losing. One thing led to another and he soon found himself hugely in debt to some not so nice people. Retirement it turns out, wasn’t such a good thing for Henry.
******
A week before Frank had gotten sick, the last time they had lunch at the diner, Frank had told Henry a very important secret. He could still remember the conversation, word for word. They had been talking about buying scratch off tickets. “Henry, this is not for you to tell, but I won me some money with those scratch offs. Put it in a Prince Albert Tin and hid it from Nyla.”
“Now Frank, why would you go and hide it from yer wife?” Henry had asked.
Frank had laughed and patted him on the back saying, “Cuz my man, it’d be all spent if the missus got her hands on it. This way, if we ever need money for anything, we have a little stash to use.”
Henry could understand that for sure, he knew how women were with money. Too bad Frank had not told him where he hid the tin though.
When Frank passed, as far as Henry could see, Frank wouldn't need the money anymore, Nyla seemed to be doing fine and Henry needed it badly. That was when he decided he would find a way to get the tin and not let anyone know about what was inside.
He was sure that Frank had not told anyone else about the tin and it surely would be enough to get him out of this jam he was in because, those scratch offs, they paid big money. The only problem, he had no idea where the tin was.
That was when he had started sneaking into Nyla's home searching for it. He just about messed his overhauls the first-time Nyla came home and found him at the front door of her house.
After she caught him, he decided that he’d better wait a few days before trying to search the house again. I know she and those old gals she runs around with have lunch once a week and that might be a good time to continue my search.
******
Henry sat by the big front window eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, watching Nyla's house closely. Today should be lunch out with the gals or they will be going to that mystery dinner thing tonight. He planned to search for the tin again whenever he saw Nyla leave the house.
I can hardly wait for the day when I’m rich and can go out to eat. I’m beginning to hate the taste of peanut butter. When I find the tin, I can buy steaks and baked potatoes and pie. Oh, how I love pie.
Sure enough, just around noon Nyla got in that old Cadillac she drove, and took off towards town. He never understood why she drove when it was only a couple blocks to town. Seemed to him the exercise would have been good for her but maybe she just liked showing off that car of hers. Nyla was kind of snooty like that, he thought.
Henry made note of the time as Nyla was normally gone about two hours before she returned. It won’t do for me to get caught at the house again. Last time she had caught me that Helen woman came after me with the biggest fly-swatter I’ve ever seen and that thing hurt.
Not that the old woman could have swung it hard enough to break bones but the thought of the huge flies that swatter was for and them getting all squished on it, gave Henry the creeps. He certainly didn't want it wiped all over his clothes. He may not have a lot, but he was clean and took care of himself.
Stepping out his back door, Henry crept to the side of his house and peered around the corner. Not seeing anyone around, he ran across to Nyla's back door entering through the kitchen. Sneaking around in Mystic Pines was easy. Nobody ever locked their doors. Nothing had ever happened here to make them think they needed to.
Last time I searched the kitchen, before that the laundry room. Today it’ll be the living room, he decided. He looked in the sofa, under the sofa and under every piece of furniture in the room. Behind the books, lordy the woman has a lot of books, he thought. How in the world did she have time to read them all when she was always up in everyone's business, was beyond him. He searched under the rugs, behind the curtains and everyplace he could think of but still no Prince Albert turned up.
He had just come out the front door when Nyla drove up in the driveway. There he stood with a surprised stupid look on his face, like a mouse caught in the cheese plate.
“Not again Henry” Nyla said as she shook her head. “My goodness man, for once will you just tell me what you are doing here?” Henry stood silent and not moving an inch. “You always seem to be looking for something so please just tell me what it is and maybe we can put a stop to this.”
Henry hung his head and blurted out the first thing that came into his mind. “Before he died Frank had promised to give me his old Prince Albert tin and I want it,” still staring at the porch floor he continued “I collect them and Franks was a nice one.”
Nyla looked at the man with disbelief, “Are you serious Henry, that old thing, why I gave that to Meg for the diner just a bit ago.”
Henry couldn't believe what he had just heard. Prince Albert had been given away! Did that mean Nyla had found the money too? “You gave it to Meg?” Henry asked, not fully believing what he had heard.
“Why yes dear. It was old and the lid was rusted shut so it wasn't worth anything.”
Henry froze trying to gather his thoughts. Lid rusted shut. That must mean she didn't open it and find the money.
Nyla was watching Henry while holding her hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh. Henry was a big guy and she didn't want to get him all worked up but really, all this fuss, just for a stupid tin.
“I wish you had just simply asked me about it Henry. I would have been happy to give it to you.”
Scratching his head, Henry looked up at Nyla, “Well can't you just tell Meg that Frank had promised it to me and get it back?”
With shock Nyla replied “Henry Means, you can't be serious! I'm a woman of my word and I would never ask for something back after giving it in earnest!” She stood there looking at him with her hands on her hips and shaking her head. “I think it's high time that you forget about the tin and get on home now.”
Henry shuffled his feet and not being able to think of anything else to say headed towards his house.
Standing in the doorway Helen called out, “And Henry, this will be the last time I catch you here at my home without my permission or I will call the Sheriff you hear. I mean it Henry Means, I've ha
d it with you.”
******
Walking into his own home Henry just shook his head. He plopped down on the large lazy-boy chair and stared at the wall thinking. All this time, all the trouble I’ve gone to, all the planning and the tin was in the hands of that strange girl Meg!
The longer he sat and thought about it the madder he got. How in the world am I going to get it from her and had she gotten the lid off and found the money?
He then reasoned, if she did find it, she certainly isn't acting like she’s rich. But maybe she wouldn't else people might wonder and find out.
Henry realized he was going to have to start following that Meg lady. He knew that she lived on the street behind his and only down the alley a few houses. He also remembered that across the street from hers was a house for sale with a huge old tree in the front yard that would make a good hiding place. Once it was dark he could hide behind the tree and use binoculars to watch her.
Then again, he thought, that crazy girl just might have stuck the tin up on the wall in the diner! He had noticed, the last time he’d been in there, she had all sorts of things stuck up there on those walls.
Walking into his bedroom, Henry pulled out his best pair of overhauls and a nice shirt. Looks like I’m going to a Mystery Dinner tonight, he thought.
NINE
In the parking lot of the motel, the stranger closed the doors on the telephone booth and putting money in the slots, dialed a number. The Haunted Inn was the only hotel in town but it would work. Far enough out of town that there wasn't much traffic and nobody noticed his coming and going in the wee hours.
On the other end of the line a sleepy voice answered “Yup what's up.”
“You were right,” the stranger said “It's her and she's set up good here with two businesses and a nice little house.”
The voice replied, “I knew it was her! Just do what you need to do and keep me informed.”
“Okay, I’ll call you when I know more.”
Looking at the gum on the floor of the phone booth he was standing on, the stranger let out a string of curse words. “This not being able to use my cell phone is for the birds,” he griped out loud. But, as much as he hated it, he knew using his cell phone was out of the question. They were just too easy to trace.
He hung up the phone, looked around, and walked over to his room while rubbing his shoe on the gravel trying to get the gum off. He hated old motels like this one. He hated pay phones even worse. “Who ever heard of a motel in this day and age without phones in the room?” he grumbled.
Back in the motel room the stranger wrote something on a sheet of paper and folded it up. He placed it inside an envelope, along with the little treasure he had taken from her house the night before. He’d almost been caught when that stupid mutt of hers had started barking. But it was worth the risk.
It would be fun seeing her face when she opens the envelope. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for that one. But that, he realized, would put me too close for comfort.
He glanced at the pad of blank paper on the nightstand, The Haunted Inn, the name made him laugh. This town truly has a bizarre love of the macabre, he thought. Picking up keys to the rented car, he left the motel room, climbed into the car, and drove off in the direction of the diner
******
Tonight's the night, Nyla thought to herself while dressing. She pulled on her favorite pair of comfy slacks and her lucky red sweater with the pearl buttons down the front. No silly pastels for this gal. It's time I got down to business and get my name back on top. And everyone knows that Red is the only color to wear when you mean business.
She grabbed her purse and headed to the garage to get the car started. Backing out of the garage she noticed Helen walking across the street. Nyla always drove on Mystery Dinner nights and Helen always rode with her. They both agreed, it was just too late when the dinner was over for two ladies to be out walking alone. It just wasn’t proper.
Climbing in the car, Helen looked over at Nyla with a serious look on her face, “I'm all ready to go and if that Henry shows up and tries to bother you, I brought this.”
Nyla looked over and saw Helen holding up the huge fly-swatter. She tried not to laugh while trying to talk some sense into the woman. “Now Helen, I seriously doubt that Meg would want you to bring that nasty thing into her nice diner, do you?”
Looking hurt Helen replied “Hey, everyone knows all diners, no matter how clean, have flies.”
“But still dear, I don't think Meg would be too happy about you bringing it to everyone's attention.”
“Well I guess, and I do so like our little Meg. I wouldn't want to do anything to spoil her dinner in any way.”
“Good way to think,” Nyla snickered. “Just toss it on the back floorboard for now.”
Helen leaned over the seat throwing the swatter in the back then settled herself with a Humph. Proper, she thought, Missy know it all Nyla Hanson with her talk of proper. Why she knew old Nyla wasn’t near as proper as she’d like everyone to think. Always gossiping about this person and that person. And spying on everyone all the time. Humph talk about proper! Helen snorted and turned to watch the road as they drove on to the diner in silence.
******
Meg had just finished setting up the miniature room box on the counter and was headed back to the kitchen to make sure all was ready for tonight. From the looks of the crowd, this Mystery Dinner will be the most successful yet, she thought. She had noticed an increase in attendance just recently but had yet to figure out why. Whatever it was, she was happy that the town had taken to the idea so quickly.
Her best friend Lynn had arrived early to help and was setting plates and silverware at all the tables while Trixie and Bev were fixing salads. Glancing around the room she noticed Nyla right there in the middle trying to tell Charles that she had reserved the table earlier in the day. Maybe I should start holding Mini Dinner Anonymous nights and have Nyla lead the group, Meg snickered to herself. She looked around for Daisy and saw her filling large plastic pictures with sweet tea then setting them on the tables.
Walking up to the girl she asked, “Daisy, will you please get over there and see if you can get Nyla and Charles sat down before they hurt one-another.”
“Yup, but not sure it's gonna do a bit of good. Last dinner they bickered almost the entire time with Miss Nyla saying Mr. Charles had cheated to get his name on top of the list.”
“You have got to be kidding,” Meg laughed.
Shaking her head while looking back at Nyla, Meg noticed that woman from the last Mystery Dinner, was back again. The woman had been asking her a lot of questions about herself and the mystery dinner. She must have enjoyed the last one I guess. Now what was her name . . . oh, right, Sherry something, she couldn’t remember her last name. First that strange man that gave her the creeps shows up and now this woman. Mystic Pines is starting to attract some outsiders it appears. Meg wasn't sure if that was such a good thing or not. She figured the fewer newcomers, the safer her secret was.
She remembered being bothered by all the questions the woman had asked. Seemed to her the questions were more about herself than the diner, but she was so busy that she hadn’t given the woman her full attention. Not good, she thought, not good at all. Walking into the kitchen she nodded at Randy, “Looks like you have everything under control in here.”
Randy looked up and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Yup, veggies in the bowls and chicken is in the warmer. Pies are in the fridge and just pulling the rolls out now.”
The room smelled like heaven to Meg. She loved old fashioned country cooking. It made her think of the times she would sit in the kitchen as a child and watch Mrs. Watson cook the family meals. Time well spent, she thought. I learned how to cook just as good as anyone by watching her.
******
Helen settled herself onto the seat next to Nyla and began to look around the room. She noticed Doc Manford and his wife Elenore. Doc, has to be in his mi
d-fifty's, he’s starting to get a little bit of a belly on him and his hair, what little is left, has turned completely white. Nobody in town knew for sure but Eleanor looked as if she were ten years younger than Doc. Helen never could figure out why the woman always acted like she was better than anyone else. She was a plain looking woman with not much of a personality. Just cuz she’s a doctor’s wife don’t make her any better than us.
There’s Sheriff Briggs and his wife Wendy, they’re always at the Mystery Dinners. Wendy was a beautiful woman, and Helen figured she must take good care of her husband because in his mid-fifties, the Sheriff still looked in good shape. He hadn’t gotten the pot belly that lots of men his age had.
Helen smiled. Look how their eyes twinkle when they look at each other, and the way they still hold hands. Wendy, a few years younger than John, owned the Little Potions Herb shop in town.
And that nice-looking Wade Hooper, the deputy. He’s sweet on our Meg. Helen had noticed him coming into the diner more often since Meg had arrived. Far as she was concerned, Meg could do a lot worse than Wade. Tall, built well, and a smile that could make a girl turn her head, he was what she called the “cat’s meow”. All that nice thick hair and olive complexion, why he could have been and actor. And such a nice, kind man to boot.
Sitting not far from Wade was Kevin Manford, the doc’s son. He’s been courting that crazy Daisy. That girl has different color hair every time I see her. Kevin was also the town's mailman. Nice enough young man, good looking, with good manners, despite his mother. And lots of other regulars Helen didn't care much about one way or the other.
“Looks like a full house tonight” she said nudging Nyla's arm.
“All the better to see me win,” smiled Nyla.
