Sat Sept 14 Barbs retirement party

Bobbie got up early and got ready to play a few songs at the market. Jamie and Jarrod arrived at the apartment and joined her for coffee.

Jamie picked up a muffin. “It’s you and me today, Sis. Jarrod is going back to work in the store this morning and I think Johnny is working on his house. You’re stuck with me all day until Jarrod comes back for Barb’s party.”

“We’ll go and sing a few songs. I’ll do the announcements and then we’ll pick up Trixie and Russel at the airport and have lunch. I don’t have anything more to do for Barb’s retirement. It’s in the gallery. Johnny is going to set up the music and Joan, my friend who used to run the community college hospitality program, is doing all the catering.”

“That sounds great. I’ll go down and put my stuff in your car.”

“I’ll join you; I have to bring my guitar down too.

Johnny was there in the parking lot talking to Jamie. “I’m sorry I can’t come and play with you. I gave Jamie the amps and mics and stuff. I have to go work on the homestead. I have Rocco and his boys today and we’re going to get the shop roof on and my second floor built, if everything goes well.”

“That’s awesome Johnny. Are you still planning to come to Barb’s party?”

“I promise not to be too tired to come to Barb’s party. I hear Russ and Trixie are coming to town for it.”

Jamie nodded. “Johnny wants to try the acoustics in the gallery tonight so we won’t use SPOKES.”

“I still have lots of drinks left over from last Friday. I’ll get it moved to the gallery and tell Joan, who is setting up a wine bar in the gallery for the party. Trixie’s footing the bill. Joan and her people might need help setting things up. She’ll be using our kitchen after tea time is finished.”

Bobbie and Jamie drove over to the Market and had a fun singing for the small crowd. People started to show up after they’d finished and the other groups were performing. Bobbie was happy to see Will was with Mark in the motel’s market stall. “Hi Will and Mark. Are you getting the feel of the market Will?”

“We spent quite a bit of time preparing for it yesterday and I just wanted to see how people react to the products. I can’t believe how great everything is selling. I wish we could sell these entrees all the time.”

“I’m not sure how long the market is going to stay open. I think Chuck said as long as we don’t have snow. So, we might still be here at Christmas.”

“We might be able to have a really festive Christmas market presence.”

“Oh Will, it’s only September but you’re right we do have to start thinking about Christmas. It looks like Jamie has the car packed, I should be going.”

Bobbie walked over to her car where Jamie was waiting while glancing at his phone.

“Thanks for packing the car, Jamie. We should head back to the motel and stash this stuff in the break room so we can move it into the gallery later. I don’t know how Johnny wants it set up. We better hustle, I think Trixie and Russ are almost landing.”

When they got to the airport, Trixie and Russel were waiting. Bobbie couldn’t believe the change in Russel. His long fuzzy hair was cut. His unruly beard was neatly trimmed and he was wearing a Button up shirt and nice jeans. “The worn out painter overalls and stretched out tee shirts are a thing of the past eh Russ?”

“You Bet. Trixie got me straightened right out. It was time for a change anyway; I have to match the job. If you fly in the company jet you can’t look like a hayseed.”

“Oh, you flew in the company jet… It’s good to see you Trixie, I’m so glad you could come.”

“Once I get Russ up to speed, I’ll have lots of free time. Where are we going to eat.”

“There’s a little place up the coast that has great views…”

Jamie put his hand on her arm. “Can I interrupt Bobbie? There is a great gluten free fish place near Oceanbright. They built a deck around and old fishing boat and you can sit on the deck of the boat or on the surrounding deck. Everything they make is gluten free and it’s really good.”

“I found that other place with Brose so I’m open to someplace new.”

Trixie nodded. “It’s nice to find a fish and chips place that would put Johnny at ease.”

They made their way to Bobbie’s car and she indicated Jamie should drive and she and Trixie could sit in the back seat.

Jamie and Russ chatted about the sights and about music and Bobbie started talking about Barb. “Trixie, I’m a little worried about her. She’s not getting out much and she’s not found a project she can occupy her time with yet.”

“Maybe her health is her project. She told me she lost weight, she sent me a picture, and said she has some work to do for her brain to catch up. She also wants to join a gym.”

“That’s true, physical health and mental health are a project; I just worry about her creative health.”

“Not everyone is creative in the same way. If I was truly retired, I’d volunteer to teach financial literacy at the library or something.”

“Ah yes, you’d make a budget for everyone.”

“Now Bobbie, I’ don’t laugh at your sweater unravelling you shouldn’t make fun of my dislike of financial chaos.”

“You’re right. I seem to remember Barb liked to paint. Maybe she’ll take that up again.”

They arrived at the restaurant and Johnny found a place to park.

”We just go up to the small building to order and pay and they give us a beeper so we sit and collect our food from the other window. In the mean time we can find a table.”

“The little boat is cut but the deck goes right out over the water can we sit there it has great ocean views.”

“We can watch the cargo ships heading up the coast to the Cit City superport.”

“It’s pretty cool. What’s good Jamie?”

“I’m getting one piece of fish, they are huge, with fries and gluten free onion rings.”

“I’d rather have onion rings than fries.”

“Trixie let’s split a two-piece fish with fries and order onion rings too. Then we share the fries and share the onion rings.”

“We can do that too Jamie. I wonder if they’ll give us extra plates.”

Jamie went up to the window and explained the order and came back to the table with 4 ice teas and 4 paper plates. “My treat guys. I never pay for anything.”

“If you insist!”

Their pager beeped and Trixie and Bobbie offered to go up and collect the food. They got back to the table and divided the food up on their plates. Trixie looked at her plate. “Well, it’s not fine dining but this fish is so fresh it’s almost jumping in the water and these fries are my favourite.”

They all agreed that the gluten free batter was as tasty and crisp as any they had ever had. They cleared away their table and made their way to the car.

“We’ll have to come here again with Johnny. It’s so good and view is stunning.”

“Things don’t have to be fancy to be good it’s such a nice place on a warm afternoon. They probably don’t stay open in the winter.”

“They are open from May 24 to October 14.”

“Then they head to Turks and Caicos for the winter.”

“I could get behind that. Maybe Will can run the motel over the winter. I couldn’t miss Christmas though.”

“This is your first Christmas at the Motel. I can’t believe the progress you made and how far you’ve come.”

“I know. We have so much to think about. The restaurant, maybe having Christmas parties with Joan catering. Decorating my apartment and the gallery and oh, the market. Will has some good ideas about that.”

“In the mean time we have a party for Barb this evening.”

“You are right of course. We have to get the music set up in the gallery Barb really loves a jam session. Russel, you haven’t met her yet but Barb follows you on You tube. She was a little bummed that she missed the jam session last week.”

The got back to the motel and Trixie saw Greg’s car in the parking lot. “Greg’s likely in his office he spends more time here that Cap City with me.”

“Well Trixie ya know even with Frank here there is still an office for you. It’ has two windows facing the mountains but it’s isn’t a corner office.”

“I know Greg’s got the best office. I’ll run up and let him know I’m here. I’m sure it will make his day.”

“Come on guys we’ll go get the amps and guitars and stuff. I bet Roger will help us.”

They got everything set up and Joan arrived with her small team. Bobbie escorted her to the kitchen and introduced all the staff.

Barb, and Trixie met in Bobbies apartment to get dressed and they felt like they were back in high school. Barb looked good in the dress that Bobbie modified for her.

They all had fun and Barb really enjoyed herself. Harry was there and he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Johnny paid a lot of attention to her too.