One floor below, someone fried up some bacon and eggs, and the aroma of toast and coffee rose through the floorboards. Tuesday hustled from bed, peeled off her sticky clothes, and stepped into the shower. Then she tied her hair with a ribbon and slipped into Leroy’s favorite dress.
“Harriet, you stayed all night?” The table was set for two. “Is Doc here?”
“He shoved off this morning. He waited to say good-bye, but you were still sleeping. Doc was terrified you’d died of a broken heart.”
Tuesday gazed toward the Starlight. She’d had the dream again. Of running to the rink, of seeing Immanuel.
“I won’t die or give up. I’m not leaving Dupree. It’s the two of us against the world now. Who’s running the rink?”
“No one. We’re all in mourning, Tooz.”
“All the more reason we need to open.”
Burt was too old for military service, but Dear Dirk tried several times to join up. His eyesight and a few missing teeth earned him a solid 4F.
“Now come on, sit down. You need some sustenance.” Harrietbrought a skillet of fried eggs over to the table. “I owe you an apology, Tooz. This wood-burning stove is marvelous. Still makes the house hot as blazes, but I declare the food tastes delicious and the house smells like hickory.”
“What would I do without you?”
“Friends don’t ask that question. You’d do the same for me. Don’t got no animals to tend these days. Just as easy for me to sleep here.” She retrieved the bacon and toast. “Coffee?”
“Please.” Tuesday took a mug from the counter. “I dreamed about Immanuel. The same dream when Granny left me. I was here, in the house, saw you and Doc as plain as I see you now. I ran to the Starlight but it was locked, so I slumped down by the door. Immanuel appeared out of darkness, swinging a lantern.”
“You’re making me jealous. Let’s bless this here food.” Harriet offered a short prayer, then took up her fork. “What’d Immanuel say?”
“That He’d never leave me. Harriet, there was so much peace. I put my head on His shoulder and drifted away. But it was just a dream.” Tuesday cut into her eggs and reached for the butter.
“You think so?” Harriet stepped onto the porch and returned with a lantern. “Doc found you by the Starlight, all curled up, with this by your side.”
“The lantern?” She looked up at Harriet. “Immanuel carried this in the dream.”
“You still think it was a dream, Tooz?” Harried said. “I’d say you saw God and He left you a piece of heaven.”
29
SEA BLUE BEACH
We suppose you’re wondering what Harry said to Tuesday when he walked into her office. We’re not really sure. Town whispers only go so far.
Some think his memories of the Starlight finally got a hold of him and he toasted the Murdock deal.
Others say,“Surely he remembers how his drunkdaddy got born again at a revival meeting hosted by the Starlight.”
Dale Cranston was overheard saying at Sweet Conversations that Harry went to negotiate with Tuesday. Had a check in hand, but she flat refused to take it. There’s still a lot of fight in that woman.
The petition signature verification is still in the works. Seems Marie Turner, the office manager, went into an early labor, which threw town hall into chaos. She delivered a beautiful baby boy, and Harry ordered blue balloons to fly from the radio antenna.
Since there’s no deadline on the signature verification, folksknow darn well Harry is stalling, indicating a victory for Matt Knight and his five-person committee.
Dupree has been seen around town with a photographer, taking photos of the Starlight. He’s also had his crew working on a Starlight museum. Demolition or not, that would be nice.
Gazetteeditor-in-chief Rachel Kirby is making the rounds, talking to old-timers, going in and out of the courthouse and the library. Sooner or later, theGazettewill tell us what she’s working on.
Matt Knight is off to Hollywood. Harlow seems settled at 321 Sea Blue Way. She had Simon Caster digging up her flower beds and planting new shrubs and a bougainvillea.
We see her jogging about town, still in her old sweats, and hope she’s going to stay. She’s one of us.
As we all wait for the verdict on the petition, the Murdock people come and go. Something’s brewing. We all feel it.
