Saturday August 10, 2019

Bobbie decided she would  brave the public exposure and venture out to the market. She called Johnny. “I think I’d like to sing a couple songs at the market today.”

“Great, come down to Rick’s room and we’ll get organized.”

She was a little nervous about seeing Rick. She hoped he wasn’t too embarrassed about his drug thing and she hoped he was feeling better.

Rick met her at the door. He seemed OK, his greying sandy hair looked freshly cut, his slightly freckled face was a little pink. He looked like someone who was trying really hard to look healthy. “Hi Bobbie, I’m glad you are joining us. This will probably be my last show for now. I’m thinking it’s time for me go start somewhere new. Would it be too cliché to sing some Peter, Paul and Mary songs?”

“Johnny and I know a few, we can start with Puff the Magic Dragon. I hope you keep in touch and know our doors are always open.”

“Thanks Bobbie.”

Johnny drove his truck around and they squeezed in the cab. “I could sit in the back, on the wheel rim, like we did when we were kids.”

Do you want your grand kids to see you do that? You have to set a good example.”

“I was just kidding.”

He pulled up to the stage and they unloaded.

They stood around in front of the stage a few minutes before the started and quite a crowd formed around them. Half the town was there saying hi and wishing her well. Bobbie smiled and excused herself and they all climbed up on the stage and plugged in their guitars. Bobbie put a capo on and they did a little tuning and finally began to sing. Lot’s of people were watching and it made them sing even harder. After just over an hour, they bowed and went to the back of the stage.

“That was like a concert, not a little quiet market gig.”

“It was fun but I’m done.”

“Johnny nodded, I’ll go back in a half an hour and say the announcements and Rick and I can sing a few quiet tunes.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Bobbie saw someone. “Oh Johnny, look who’s here.”

Johnny walked over. “Hello Ambrose, fancy meeting you here.”

“Hi, I’m sorry I’m unannounced but I just had to see Bobbie. I’m glad I made it to the show. You guys were great.”

Bobbie came over. “Hi Brose, I wasn’t’ expecting you are you staying at the motel? Do you have some business here or something?

“I thought it was best if I stayed in town. I really just want to talk to you and maybe clear the air and start fresh.”

“Well. I think we can at least have a chat. We can walk back to the Motel.”

“You guys go on; I’ll pack up the gear when we’re done, Bobbie.” Johnny turned back to the stage.

Bobbie waved goodbye to everyone and they started to walk back to the motel. They were mostly silent on the walk and Bobbie made sure she stayed a meter or so ahead so no suggestive photos could be taken. There was always Photoshop but she wouldn’t make it easy for them.

They got the restaurant and Bobbie motioned over to a low table and chairs under the shade awning. “You could take a seat over there and I’ll grab some refreshments and meet you.”

She came out a few minutes later with 2 large glasses of ice water, a big pitcher and some carrots and hummus on a platter. She set it down and put a glass of water in front of him.

“Thanks, it’s a warm one today.”

Bobbie nodded, thinking he didn’t come all this way to talk about the weather. “So, how’s it going Brose?”

“I want to apologize for arranging to have that suspicious package in your gallery. I thought it would be cleared up as soon as it was discovered and poison control would come right away and you would see it as a bad joke. The press would show up but it would be a small story and your event would go on as planned.”

“But why? Why would you even do that?

“I thought it would be just enough to upset you and you’d call and I could get you to come to Cap City and convince you that living at the motel is a bad idea.”

“Did you have anything to do with the GIFF?”

“No, I thought it was cute but we had nothing to do with it. We were surprised how much the GIFF and the hashtag spiralled out of control. I thought for sure you would want help dealing with that stuff.”

I did, thought Bobbie. “It’s pretty much over. Just some local attention that’s mostly good for the Market and the Motel so I can handle it. I was never going to leave Crow Harbour and I thought you understood that.”

“I know but Trixie moved to Cap City and everything and I thought you might.”

“It’s exciting to think of moving to Cap City and attending and hosting big important dinners and parties but I would miss my family too much. I’m not cut out to be a political wife. My real love was for my Husband Alex and he is still on my mind. Maybe if things were different and we had kept in touch when we were kids…”

“I won’t make this any harder by telling you how I feel or what I would be willing to do. I see your mind is made up. I guess I should be going now.”

“I think that’s best. I’m glad we cleared the air but don’t you think we can still be friends?”

“I really don’t know Bobbie. Goodbye.”

Bobbie sat thinking for a while. Brose was so manipulative. Then she snapped out of it. It was getting late she planned to get pizza fixings and make some fresh dough for the kids because tonight she was babysitting for Eddie and Jen. She groaned and texted Eddie saying that she’d pick up Chinese food on her way to his place to feed the kids. He said it would be great and Bobbie smiled and took the tray back to the restaurant. She went up to her apartment and set her clock for two hours and had a nap. She woke around 5 and had a quick shower and got her laptop and ordered the food. She packed up the laptop for when the kids were in bed and showed up at Eddies door with Chinese food at 6 o’clock.

Jen kissed her cheek. “Thanks Bobbie, we shouldn’t be too late but we might go to the club after dinner if you don’t mind.”

“If you’re too late I’ll steal one of Eddie’s tees and sleep in the guest room. You Kids go have fun.”

They kissed their kids and said goodnight and the twins waved with one hand while they unpacked the food. They had ginger beef which was Clay’s favourite. They had sweet and sour chicken which was Wally’s favourite and Lara was munching on her favourite; fried wontons. Bobbie also got chow mein and fried rice.

They ate at the table. “The internet fuss around you has pretty much died down. Gramma.” Said Clay, between bites.

“That’s true and I’m glad. The motel is still popular and getting lots of business though.”

“The motel is so fun. Can we come stay there with you sometime before school starts? And can Niko come too?

“I would love that, Laura. Johnny could come with us and we could glide on inner tubes down the river and we could have a campfire.”

They chatted about a visit for a while and then decided to watch a movie. 20 minutes later, Clay said. “Can we have popcorn?”

“We didn’t eat that long ago Clay are you sure you’re still hungry?”

“Dad says, I’m a bottomless pit.”

Laura looked dozy but stuck it out to the end and Bobbie took her to bed around 9:45 and she didn’t even need a story. When she came back downstairs the boys were looking tired too. She got them upstairs and made them brush their teeth and sent them to bed.

A few minutes later Bobbie was curled up in a chair making a spreadsheet for her Sunday Brunch idea. Then she heard car doors and realized Eddie and Jen were home. She started to put her laptop away when she heard then arguing. Eddie came in first.

“Hi guys, it doesn’t sound like you had a very good date.”

“Jen had a great night. Me? Not so much. Thanks Mom.” Eddie headed up the stairs without looking back.

Bobbie turned to Jen with her eyebrows raised and a teary-eyed Jen moved over to hug her. “Oh Bobbie, I’ve done something so stupid.” And she began to cry.