Thurs October 3

Fossie was actually a good kitty. He didn’t go into her shelves and knock things off, he didn’t really like walking around on the kitchen counters either. Her living room furniture was safe too. Johnny made a big cat tree and Fossie actually used it. Bobbie chuckled; Lorne must die inside a little when he sees it in the window of her carefully styled living room.

Her eye moved to the chair in the corner of her bedroom. It was a pink and orange over the top slipper chair with damask stitching, beads and sequins that Bobbie and Lorne bought, almost as a joke, from one of those import stores at the mall. Fossie picked it within an inch of its life. The sequins were half gone and the fabric almost looked like it was fringe. She glanced over to Fossie on the bed and saw sequins in his fur. Oh crap, she thought. I can’t have him eating that stuff. It will make him sick. She sighed and spent a couple hours picking the rest of the sequins and beads off the little beat-up chair. She knew she was just avoiding Things. The autopsy was done on Townes and Bobbie forwarded all the documents to his lawyer and she let him know she would support a wrongful death lawsuit against Crow Harbour Hospital.

Other than a short trip to the hospital to pick up the documents and a quick trip to the funeral home to pick up ashes. She hadn’t left the motel. She was internet famous again and now the hashtag that started when the motel had a bomb scare, was full of black widow conspiracies. It was hard to imagine that people were exploiting Alex’s death, Townes’s death and her own grief without a care but she tried not to think about it. Johnny tried to help. He got a hold of Rick and Rick shared a picture of himself with a newspaper with the date in view, like they did in the movies, that had the caption, “Bobbie didn’t kill me.” Some of the comments suggested the paper was photo shopped. There was simply no winning. She was wondering what to do when she refreshed her phone and saw that pictures were being shared of other people photo shopping their face over Ricks face with the caption, “Bobbie didn’t kill me either.” It caught on. The hashtag was trending again.

It was time she called a family meeting. She called her mother and texted everyone else. She asked Eddy to pick up Chinese food on the way over. She wanted the school aged grand kids to come too. The little ones wouldn’t understand but the others would be dealing with kids at school and they all needed to talk about things.

She went out to do her daily rounds and there were people milling around. The crowd murmured when she came out and she spent a half hour taking selfies with them before she bowed out.

She went in to the gallery. Lacey came right over. “I’m so sorry Bobbie losing Townes must be so hard but all this internet fuss isn’t helping.”

“Thanks Lacey, I’m hoping this will distract me and help me deal with this loss. Townes hated being on the internet so I have to make sure his name and image aren’t used too much.” She went over to Hotel Registration where she saw Quinn and Will. “Hi guys, I hope everything is going well for you. Quinn, I know you can delete images from the hashtag. I don’t often ask you too because I know it requires you to hack into it; but I want you to delete any pictures of Townes there. His name and image will be everywhere else I just don’t want it on the hashtag. Can you also delete comments and block people? I’m just kidding, even people that insult me are allowed their say.”

“I’ll leave them there but Mink was already here insisting that those nasty people should be blocked.”

“They edit their own insta but this hashtag isn’t really mine.”

Will went over and gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry but your pain has meant that our rooms are fully booked and we have had inquiries about Halloween parties.”

Bobbie smiled weakly. “Black widow themed Halloween parties would be great.”

Will put his arm around her. “That’s right, we can lean into it. Halloween is Thursday. We could rent the space on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can be the special guest”

“You should get a life-sized version of me dressed in black, brandishing an axe and a cut out for the face because I will be in Europe the last 2 weeks of October and won’t be here in person. I guess that means you are in charge of Halloween this year Will. I’m going to miss all the fun.”

She said thanks and headed back out to where people were finishing their lunch and milling around. She posed for a couple more selfies and went into SPOKES where Lockland was a full-on coffee barista. She stood in line, took her large coffee and asked Lock how he felt about serving coffee. He told her that he liked it and he smiled extra big and said he was getting good tips. She wanted to tell him that the pay was supposed to make it so that tips weren’t necessary but he was just filling in for Chase so she smiled and went in to the restaurant. Nothing seemed to be working right today.

She went around and chatted to the people seated, enjoying the tea service. Most just gave their condolences for the loss of Townes and his mother.

She ducked her head into the kitchen and saw Sipho and Jane. She went in.

“Hi guys how is it going? I know you are aware that we lost Townes and his mother in a horrible crash but some people want to make it something else online. We can’t let it bother us. If we see something untrue or unfair we just have to let it go. The more we fight with these guys, the worse it will get.”

Sipho nodded. “People can suck. I’m sorry about Townes.”

Jane nodded and took Bobbies hands. “I’m sorry too.”

Bobbie thanked them and brushed away a couple tears as she went back up to the apartment to order the Chinese food and get ready for the family meeting.

She got the extra leaves out for her table but she’d need help to fit them in. She stuck her head out her back door and called to Roger who was going into the laundry room.

He turned and smiled. “If I come to help you, if you don’t kill me.” And he giggled. He must have seen her look of sadness and quickly added, “That’s just a joke. I think it’s funny. You wouldn’t kill anybody.”

They went into the dining room and Bobbie went to one end of the table. She composed herself. “You’re right Roger that is supposed to be a joke. I’m just a little to sad to find it funny; now please help me get the leaves into this table.”

She smiled and thanked him and he left. She tried to think of the black widow thing as funny and just couldn’t. She went to work putting 2 table cloths on the table, she liked how it felt plusher and it protected her table a bit more. She put glasses and wine glasses on trays in the middle of the table. She’d bring 2 pitchers of water and 2 bottles of white wine on the table too. They were ready in the fridge. She’d have people serve themselves on the island. She put plates, silver and napkins on both ends; then they could serve on both sides.

Eddie and Charlie arrived with Wally, Clay, Laura and Nico in tow.

“Thanks for picking up the food guys.”

“It took us all to carry it. It’s a big order. What’s going on, on your hashtag. People are saying you killed Townes. And Grampa.”

“I told you not to look at that until we could talk about it.”

“So did Dad but Clay and I couldn’t resist.”

“OK kids, how about we get some snacks and go to the theatre room and I’ll talk about the comments on the hashtag a bit.”

They picked up water bottles and Bobbie brought the chips and sat down. “The internet has made me fake famous again. I’m a sad Grandma but the internet wants me to be an evil murder. It’s so crazy we know it isn’t true.”

Niko rubbed Bobbies arm. “Why did someone make up that story?”

“I don’t know. They think being mean is funny. They think hurting strangers is OK. I’m not famous or anything. This will blow over quickly. None of it is real life. Policemen know how Grampa and Townes died and they know I’d never hurt anybody and all the people I love know to. That’s all that matters.”

Eddie came in and told them that everyone was getting hungry was here and they should come get some supper. He moved close to Bobbie. “I’ve asked Jen and Mack to come here too.”

Bobbie just nodded and made her way to the kitchen. She made sure Johnny got his gluten free food and helped her mom get settled before she served herself. There was a knock at the door and Jen and Mack came in. Bobbie put her plate down and hugged Jen.

“Oh Bobbie, I’m so sorry about Townes, He was just a great guy whispered Jen.”

Mack stood back a little looking sympathetic.

Bobbie shook it off and said please help yourself to the food and join us in the dining room.

Finally, everyone was seated. Bobbie looked around at her closest friends and family. “Thanks for coming over this evening. I’m so thankful you are all here. First, I’d like to raise a glass and remember Townes. He was strong and handsome and smart and kind and I’m really going to miss him.” And she raised her glass.

They toasted Townes and Bobbie continued. “I spoke with the Carson lawyer and he said Townes was in the process of updating his will and that he chose me to be his executor and I will inherit his company and all his stuff.”

Jamie looked up from his plate. “Wait, what? You are going to own an oil company? Are you going to move to his ranch and ride horses. How long have you known about this?”

“I have a lot of details to work out. Townes didn’t get a chance to tell me anything. I’m just finding out now. Frank and Barb and I will meet Trixie at the Carson ranch tomorrow. I’ll take the Carsons back there and lay them to rest. I expect there will be a big funeral. Everyone was chatting and asking her questions and she raised her hands. “Please there is one more thing I have to tell you. The Carsen lawyer wants and inquiry into Townes’ death and as the executor of the estate I have to agree.”

Florence looked upset. “Are you suing our hospital? Why are you doing this Bobbie? If you need money you could come to me.”

Jamie patted his mother’s arm. “She doesn’t need money Mom and it is something between lawyers.”

Everyone finished their meal in silence and Bobbie wondered if she was making a mistake.