by C L Miller
He begged to read this story, and somewhat to my surprise I got my mother's permission to let him. She had kept it locked away since that first day at Joe's Diner, but she always said she would know when the time was right to "set it free" as she called it. Jack was delighted with her response, and even more so with the story, which he instantly tagged as "Pivotals" because of all the events that had turned on one small stage.
The book went into seven printings and a producer contacted us about film and television rights.
As often happens, Dolores followed Joe within a year. She designated her entire estate to expand Brennan's property and fund a theater for live performances. Brian and Dina, Sarah and Tom -- "The Millins Quartet" as they call themselves -- soon put together the Dolores Troupe of Players. Steve supervises the staging. Loretta and Tacy head the costume department. Harvey is frequently the director. Jack and I have collaborated on several scripts. About six times a year we are able to see a lot of talented locals and the occasional guest professional in musical and dramatic productions. We've had four of our teens head off to Broadway as a result.
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A decade later Jack and I are the proud parents of three beautiful children. We live in the town that gave us so much. We still eat at Joe's Diner and occasionally treat ourselves to Brennan's.
Grace and Tommy Millins live down the street.
Faith Hollister lives at the B&B.
Vernetta and Steve are living in a cottage on the Brennan's property. Vernetta still manages David Baker & Associates with the help of two Millins kids who are both pre-law.
Fred and Charlie both retired and, with Naomi and Charlotte, travel the world.
Olivia has taken over the drug store with Brian Millins' eldest daughter as the pharmacist.
Joey Thomas is moving a bit slower. The chemotherapy has been rough on him, but he doesn't lack for good employees. The high school students still consider it a badge of honor to work at Joe's Diner.
And every year there is a week-long festival wrapped around August 17. We have a carnival, a parade, and a craft fair. Joe's Diner serves a free lunch every day to residents and visitors alike. On the seventeenth all the businesses close and we spend the day as a community, doing what neighbors do.
We know that's the best way to honor Joe and Dolores Brennan.
