Sat Sep 28 2019

Bobbie and Townes woke early Saturday morning with a little help from Fossie. Townes got up to feed him and Bobbie pulled on some sweatpants and browsed her phone. “I think your mom enjoyed herself at dinner.”

Townes came back and into the room and lay down beside her. “Do you think? She made me go get her sneakers and a track suit and has been walking around listening to that podcast since Wednesday night.”

“She got along with Brent. It was kind of amazing to hear her change her mind about oil and fracking and start to talk about habitat preservation and development in the span of one dinner party. By the end of it she was planning international travel and buying one of your condos.”

“You know, she married my dad when she was young. I think everyone labelled her the bimbo cheerleader that got knocked up and she stood in Dad’s shadow a long time. He was much older and she was his caregiver for his last 8 years. When he died, she was committed to towing the line and I don’t think it occurred to her that she could be someone who had her own opinions and was independent and could retire from the oil business and all that.”

“Are you going to bring her to the market this morning? What kind of music does she like. I’m singing with Johnny and we take requests.”

“That’s thoughtful Bobbie; she likes to listen to Neil Diamond and Simon and Garfunkel.”

“We’ll dust of some of those tunes for her. I’d better get my seventies themed clothes.”

Bobbie headed over to the market. Jen and her new boyfriend Mac were there with Laura, Wally and Clay. They all sat with Frank, Belinda and Townes. Townes’ mom, Nancy, sat with Brent.

Bobbie came over after their set. Townes was at the table. “Everybody else is wandering around the market. Jen, that’s Eddies wife, right? Is with that guy Mac, getting coffee.”

“I think Eddy and Jen are over. Jen seems really happy with Mac and he’s so good for her and the kids, I think I have to accept it.”

Bobbie stood to greet Jen. “Hi Bobbie, that was a pretty cool set you played. Even the kids were up and dancing to Sweet Caroline. Here, we got you a coffee.”

“Thanks guys, Johnny and I used to play those songs 40 years ago.”

Mac joked. “Gee Bobbie, you must have been a baby.”

“Ha, sadly no. I think those songs do stand the test of time though. It doesn’t hurt to give them an updated arrangement.”

Nancy and Brent returned. “I got this pretty yarn at the little yarn stall over there. I think I’ll make myself a hat. I hear the weather gets cold here and I’m hoping to come back and visit around Christmas.”

“Our family Christmas parties are fun. I try to keep the traditions of my parents and grandparents who liked to have big parties boxing day and New years day.”

“I look forward to that Bobbie. Townes, I have an afternoon flight we should get moving. I’d like to be at the airport by 2 o’clock.” Nancy and Brent started to go back to them motel. Townes kissed Bobbie and followed them.

Bobbie sat at the table with Jen and Mack and waited for her grand kids to finish their rambling around the market.

They arrived with Johnny in tow. “We found Uncle Johnny, can we go see his new house and shop?”

“And pool?” added Laura.

“We’ll all go over. I’ll see Mark and bring a picnic.” Bobbie was texting Mark as she spoke. “Laura, we can’t swim in the pool yet. Do you have and diet restrictions Mac?

“No mam, I have a cast iron stomach.”

Mark and Sipho, spent a lot of time baking bread and pizza dough for the lunch service and market and they were working really hard to make good sourdough bread without gluten for Johnny. And anyone else who was gluten free. They made it in a corner of the kitchen away from the regular bread baking and only used the “gluten free” bread pans. Johnny knew that that Mark could safely make a sandwich for him. Johnny took the kids in his truck, Mac and Jen took their car and Bobbie walked back alone, glad to have some quiet before the picnic.

Bobbie picked up the box of sandwiches and drinks. “Thanks Mark, you take good care of me.”

“No problem Bobbie; we were making lunches anyway. Enjoy. Johnny’s sandwich is marked; we seem to have better luck with his bread these days.”

Bobbie carried the box down the hill to Johnny’s place. She saw that Johnny’s sister and her son Kirby were there too. She had lots of food. They had a good picnic and Kirby gave the kids the grand tour of Johnny’s place.

Bobbie and Mac cleaned up the leftovers. “This must be your weekend with the kids.”

“There’s nothing official. Eddy is on call today and it just seemed like a good chance to be with them.”

“Are you and Jenny are getting serious?”

“I’m sorry Bobbie, I know you see me as the bad guy but yes me and Jen are living together now. We got a duplex close to their old place because it’s close to the hospital and the kids.”

“You shouldn’t have to apologize every time you see me. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. It’s taking a little time for me to get used to all this.”

“Thanks Bobbie, I feel guilty anyway but I love Jen and the kids and just want to take care of them.”

“That’s all we can ask for Mac. I think Eddy is happy too. He’s working a lot more though.”

Kirby and the kids returned, along with Jen and Johnny.

Jen hugged Bobbie. “Thanks for the picnic lunch, Bobbie. We’re going to take off now. We have paint to buy. We’re redoing the kids’ rooms for them this weekend.”

Bobbie hugged everyone and even though she wasn’t sure it was true she said, “aren’t you guys lucky you’ll have 2 nice bedrooms to stay in.”

Lara looked earnest. “I like our rooms at your house Gramma.”

“Thank you Sweetie. That’s true you have lots of rooms.”

They left and Bobbie said goodbye to Johnny and his sister. “Hey Kirby, Denny, Sipho’s brother, is up in the staff room doing homework. If your mom says it’s OK you can come on up with me.”

“Can I go up to the motel Myra?”

“Sure, I’m helping Johnny with his drywall this afternoon. You and Denny can come back here and help if you get bored.”

“I’ll take the box for you Bobbie.”

“Thanks Kirby. You can take it back to the restaurant and sort the garbage, compost and recycling and give Mark back his box.”

“Sure thing; I’ll get Denny to help.”

Bobbie trailed Kirby up the hill and was back in her apartment, finishing a quick shower when the doorbell rang. She dressed quickly and peeked out the window. It was Harry. Her heart fell and she almost felt weak she was transported back to when Harry worked in Cit City and came to the door to tell her Alex was gone. She paused for a second, thinking she couldn’t lose anyone else. Did something happen to Townes?”

Bobbie opened the door. “Hi Harry, what’s new?”

“I hate to bring bad news but there has been an accident, Bobbie. A large truck hit the passenger side of the vehicle Townes and his mother were in and his mother didn’t make it. Townes is at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. I thought you’d like to go pick him up.”

“That’s awful about his mother. Of course I’ll go get him.”

Bobbie grabbed her purse and followed Harry to the hospital. She remembered Greg’s mom who died New years day she felt her own morality for an instant. She shook her head and concentrated on finding a parking spot.

Townes was standing in the hall in the emergency room talking to Eddy. “I’m so sorry about your mom Townes, are you hurt?”

Townes hugged her gingerly with one arm. Eddy cleared his throat. “Townes has a couple cracked ribs that we can’t really do much about and he broke his arm so will without his right arm for a couple months. He is generally banged up and I gave him some pain killers. He’ll likely want to sleep a while.”

“Of course. Come on Townes we’ll get you back to the motel and you can rest a bit before you have to start dealing with losing your mom.”

“That’s a good idea Bobbie. Thanks Eddy.”

“Sure, no problem Townes. Here’s a few pain pills Mom, he may need some before the day is over. Just call me if you have any concerns. Or maybe just call me.”

Bobbie hugged Eddy and carefully took Townes’ good arm. “Come on Townes, you need your rest.”

They got back to the motel around 4PM and Bobbie guided Townes into the elevator. He was pretty groggy so she helped him into a t-shirt and sweatpants and put him to bed.

She called Trixie, who was back in Cap City and told her the news.

Trixie answered. “Wow, Nancy Carson is dead. She was one of the iconic ladies of the oil business. I guess Townes is going to run the company now. How’s he holding up?”

“He’s pretty banged up and has a badly broken arm but he’ll be OK. As you know he wants to move the company into land development and his mother was starting to agree with him. I thought maybe I was moving too fast with this relationship but in that moment when Harry was at the door. I realized I do love him.”

“Oh Sweetie, I wish I was there. Tell Townes, I’ll make sure I’ll control the narrative and make sure his mom’s professional contacts are informed and am here to help him with whatever he needs. Look after yourselves.”