Friday Morning Sep 6

In the morning Bobbie and Townes were fully rested. Townes was up first and fed Fossie, who was very suspicions and figured Bobbie should be awake anyway so Bobbie didn’t sleep in.

She got up and got ready to go for a short run. When she got back, she sat at the Island with a pen and paper to make a list of guests for the party.

Townes walked over and hugged her and looked over her shoulder. “Are you going to need me to help you get ready for this? I just heard from Eddie; he has the day off and would like to go for a run on the river.”

Bobbie was silent for a moment and thought, Eddie wants to hang out with him? “I’m sure I can handle things. Trixie’s coming over for lunch with me and my only request for you, is to be here and ready around 4:30. That’s when people will start to arrive.”

Townes kissed her and went back in the room. Bobbie made a couple of her favourite cold curried chicken salads and when she had everything on a tray; took it out to the fridge on the deck and went back in to wait for Trixie. Trixie arrived early and bustled in. She hugged Bobbie. “I’ve missed you and this place so much.”

Bobbie hugged back. “We missed you too.”

They wiped their tears surreptitiously and headed out to the deck. They sat at the table and Bobbie brought over big glasses of ice water. “Hydration is key to prepare for a Friday night dinner party.”

“Oh, I remember your parent’s place. Our uncles and cousins and Johnny playing in that carriage house building and the barbecues and the croquet on the front lawn.

“My party won’t have everything but there is going to be music and lots of food. I’ve decided to have it in SPOKES so there will be an open bar too.”

“Isn’t SPOKES part of high tea?

“Not too many people sit in there now but people do get coffee and sit on the patio. That should be done by 3:30. We’ll have an hour to get prepared. We don’t have any decorating or anything to do. I talked Johnny to coming at 3:30 to setup mics and things.”

“Who’s coming?”

“Mom and Linda and Dean and Lorne and Rocco. I think George and Sam, you and Greg and everyone and Uncle Gary will bring Uncle Stewart and Uncle Donald. And Quinn and Will is in town too. Then all the usuals. We’ll have around 25-30 depending who drops buy.”

“That’s going to be a big bar bill.”

“I instructed the bartender to use the 4 boxes of wine and the 6-dozen beer and the 2 dozen ciders I bought, before getting out the hard stuff.”

“That’s a good start.”

“If nobody wants it; we can always sell it or drink it later. I made this really good salad for us. I have cut up banana, coconut and cashews as toppings.” Bobbie got up and got the stuff out of the fridge.

“Bobbie, let’s talk about Townes; last I heard, you were swearing off men.”

“I really wasn’t planning anything, then he showed up and I guess he kind of grew on me. I mean he’s smart, handsome and we’re good in the sack.”

Trixie shook her head and laughed. “I did not need to know that. Actually, maybe I did. He’s rich too Bobbie. Well, as long as you’re happy…”

“He’s not really serious and I like that. He’s been actually been living here since last Wednesday and maybe it’s a little too much, too soon. He’s going to Cap city on the red eye on Sunday; then home and that’s probably good.”

“He’s building a condo in Oceanbright to he can be close to you Bobbie.”

“I imagine he owns a few “pieds-à-terres”. Oh my gosh, you’ll never guess who he bought the land from. Peabody! He told me If I want, he’d arrange a hostile takeover of his whole coal company and build wind farms everywhere they want to strip mine.”

“Oh, He’s a keeper Bobbie.”

“Is your apartment all ready?

“All my stuff is moved in there but now I want to come home and get an apartment in Towne’s new condo’s”

“They are going to have a great view. They are on that bluff that overlooks Oceanbright right on Starlight Green. He’s calling the Starlite Condominium development.”

“That’s tempting. Maybe I need a “pieds-à-terres”.”

“You could sell the one in Cid City; Let go shmooze and get some treats at tea time in the restaurant. I can introduce you to Lockland our new bartender and we can start to get ready for the party.”

They cleared the dishes off the table and took them back to the kitchen. Bobbie got a bowl out of the fridge. It’s my cauliflower salad that’s Johnny’s favourite. He’s gluten issues make it important that he has one guaranteed thing he can eat.”

“I imagine he’s keeping busy with his house, eh? Were is Townes anyway?”

“He and Eddie are doing a short white river rafting run.”

“Eddie’s with him?”

“The boys seem to like him.”

They walked into the restaurant and everyone gathered around Trixie excitedly to say hello. They found a piece of cheesecake and 2 coffees and they went into SPOKES to share the cheesecake.

“I suppose people will see us in here and come in too.”

“Not if we shut the door.”

“Lock has to sell special coffees and stuff.”

“Trixie waved at the bartender. Hi Locky, I’m Trixie and I’m pleased to meet you. OK I’ll leave the door open. I’d put liqueur in my coffee but I see the wisdom in not starting the drinking at 3:00 when you have a party that might go late.”

Bobbie finished her coffee and went over to the bar to talk to Lock. “Thanks so much for agreeing to work late. You’ll be dealing with all my tipsy friends and relatives so you deserve the OT pay and you should get yourself a tip bowl.”

He laughed. “I have definitely worked worse parties. I assumed you meant for these big buckets to hold beer.”

“Yes, we’ll use 2, one for beer and one for lighter beer and hard cider. I can start filling them with ice. People can serve themselves the beer. I’ll probably buss a bit but I’ll need you to buss too. And serve the wine. I got 4 boxes, 1 White and 4 red. We only need to move to the actual bar stock when that’s mostly gone. Although my mother will probably want a cosmopolitan. You’ve got a big soda water nozzle under there; you can offer white wine spritzers. I’ll get some raspberries from Mark to use as garnish.”

Trixie came up behind her. “Well, tea time is over. I’ll take these dishes out and get those raspberries from Mark.”

When Trixie came back in, Bobbie was filling ice buckets and Lock was checking his soda-water stream and wineglasses. “You guys are busy. Here’s Johnny.”

“Hey Trix it’s nice to see you.” He hugged Trixie and lifted her off the floor. Johnny put her down and went back out and started bringing in the mikes and amps and a mixer.”

“Ooh fancy.” Said Bobbie, and began helping him set everything up. Trixie sat at the bar and talked to Lockland.

Around 4 o’clock they were all ready and Bobbie suggested they go back upstairs to get ready for the party. Eddie and Townes were there and Bobbie went into her room where Townes was freshly out of the shower and getting dressed. “So how was rafting? Did Eddie do OK?”

Yes, he only fell out of the boat once.

“No! Was as he in danger?”

“Not really. We got him back in the boat without capsizing it so it was good. I think he had fun.”

“That’s pretty cool that you guys get along so well.”

“He’s an amazing guy, the heart surgeon thing is impressive.”

“I’m very proud of him.”

Trixie and I had a good lunchtime visit. She wants to find an assistant manager too. She is at a point in her career where she wants to wind down.”

“She’s taken on the entire North American oil community; it’s not really winding down.”

“Maybe we’ll solve all this tonight after a few beers.”