I dreamed about you and the Starlight. Guess it was a few nights ago. I’m going to make it up to you, Tooz. I mean it. I’m done disappointing you. I’ll live like a regular Joe so we can grow old together. Maybe spoil a few grandkids. What do you think?
Anyhow, being as I am in a war, there’s something I need to get off my chest. If the worst happens, I don’t want to take this business to my grave.
Tuesday closed her eyes. Was this where he confessed his affairs? Murders? Did she want to read on?
I didn’t buy the Starlight for you. The prince gave it to you when he went to fight the Great War. Maybe he knew he wasn’t coming back. Hoboth was the caretaker until your thirty-second birthday. Guess age is the way they do things in royal families. So there it is. The Starlight was always yours. Hoboth was coming up the drive with the deed when I pulled in.
You’re probably wondering why I told you I bought the Starlight. I wanted you to be proud of me. I knew the men I’d worked for weren’t honorable, and I wanted to do one thing you could hold onto all your life. Yet sitting here now in the middle of a world war, I wish I’d done things differently. Can you forgive a slob like me? I’d like one less sin on my account should I face the Almighty sooner than expected.
If I don’t come back, remember how much I love you. I never strayed, Tuesday. Not once. With that, I’ll sign off. Give my love to everyone there, and keep the Starlight on for me.
Your loving,
Lee
30
HARLOW
She gazed toward the back door. So far, Matt had not arrived. Yet it seemed half of Sea Blue Beach filled city hall for this special town council meeting. If the room had rafters, people would be swinging from them.
Harlow sat up front with Tuesday, Dupree, and Spike. Where was Matt? He’d called from LAX to say he’d booked a flight, but she’d not heard from him since.
Audra from the Blue Plate tapped her on the shoulder. “Hey, Harlow, some of us are getting up a weekly girls’ night. Want to join us?”
“Um, yeah, sure. I’d love to if I’m not working.”
Audra smiled. “I’ll talk to you next time you’re at the diner.”
Harlow whispered to Tuesday, “Audra just invited me to a girls’ night. You think she’s sincere? Like they don’t want to mock me or something. Take pictures and sell to the tabloids.”
“Listen to yourself. Of course she’s sincere. Harlow, you’remore than a pretty face,” Tuesday said. “People around here see that.”
“Can we settle down?” Harry gaveled the meeting to order. “This is a special session of the Sea Blue Beach town council on the matter of the petition requesting a vote on the eminent domain action against the Starlight roller skating rink.”
“I’m going to have to buy me a food truck, aren’t I?” Spike muttered. “Join the trucks on the beach. Doggone, I like working out of the Starlight.”
“Just wait and see, Spike,” Tuesday said, who remained remarkably calm. Harlow squeezed her hand. For her own sake more than Tuesday’s.
“I’m going to cut to the chase,” Harry said. The room stirred, restless. “We’ve carefully reviewed the signatures.”
“Harry, just get on with it.” The demand came from somewhere in the middle. “Are we getting a vote or not?”
“Hold on, Martin. I want to assure Sea Blue Beach citizens that the utmost care and integrity was used to verify every signature.”
“Harry, I could’ve verified the names in an afternoon. You’ve taken a month.”
“As you know, Marie was out with her new baby, and Lynn had been scheduled for vacation to Disney World with her grandchildren. We got to the petition when we could.” Harry raised a piece of paper. Tuesday freed her hand from Harlow’s and leaned forward. “Forty-one of the signatures were not valid registered voters.”
“That leaves us with three fifty-nine,” someone shouted. “That’s more than enough.”
“Yes, but we also had five Donald Ducks, six Lieutenant Strikers, and four Cinderellas.” He glanced at Harlow. “More than likely, the celebrities attached to the cause inspired tourists to sign. And two people signed twice. In the end, three hundred and forty-two signatures were valid, which falls short of the requirement.” Everyone talked at once, and Harry banged his gavel untilHarlow felt the pounding in her chest. “The petition has failed,” he shouted. “Eminent domain proceedings for the Starlight will commence next week, with demolition sometime after Labor Day.”
In the middle of the chaos, the double doors opened, and Matt Knight walked into city hall like George Bailey, Superman, and Han Solo rolled into one, with a touch of Clint Eastwood’s steely grit.
“Matt Knight to save the day.”
“Take that, Harry Smith. Lieutenant Striker just walked in.”
