Sunday October 13 2019

They woke up and packed hurriedly. Clive knocked on the door and asked if he could share a ride to the airport.

After he left, Barb zipped up her suitcase. “Clive must have a room here.”

“He’s going with you to Crow harbour. I just don’t trust Peabody.”

Bobbie shook her head. “Do you really think that’s necessary Trixie? Will he stay at the motel? Will says it’s crazy busy. The day of the memorial was the day that my friend Joan’s niece got married. I can’t wait to talk to Mark and Will about it.”

“Right, Joan was your high school friend that ran the chef school at the community college. How is her catering company doing?”

Bobbie smiled. “She was catering the event but had to work with Mark and he’s not quite over being her student. Joan can be intense. I went to her retirement party with that guy Rick who sold Johnny that house near the university that his sister is renting. And remember, Trixie, Joan was a lot of help when we were setting up our kitchen at the restaurant.”

“I remember. I like her. I thought she and Mark buried the hatchet already. Anyway. I’ll come with you guys to the airport. My flight to Cap City comes a couple hours after yours to Crow Harbour but I have work I can do while I wait.”

They arrived at the airport and returned the rental car just as Clive was pulling up with his rental. Bobbie waited for him at the one boarding gate. “Hi Mr. Teller. I’m sure you don’t have to accompany me to Crow Harbour.”

“Sorry Bobbie; I go where I’m paid to go. I already made a reservation at your motel. You only had one room available. Your motel seems popular.”

Bobbie laughed. “It’s just really small. I only have 18 rooms and there was a big wedding there on the weekend.”

He smiled a little insincerely, turned, produced his boarding pass and went through the gate. I’m sorry I bore you, thought Bobbie and went through the gate and looked around for Barb.

They settled into their airline seats and buckled up. “Now that this memorial thing is over, I guess we have to think about our trip to Europe in 3 days.”

I know Bobbie, you’ve had a lot on your plate. I’ve been planning for a while because all my warmer weather clothes don’t fit me any more. I’ve visited a couple thrift stores and found a couple nice dresses and some capri pants that even I can turn into longer shorts. I managed to buy a couple skirts too.”

“You know Barb, you could visit my mother. She’s got lots of really stylish things and they’d probably fit really well now.”

“Your mom suggested I come over all ready. I’ll have to do that tomorrow. I’ll bring her some wine and cheese. I found a really nice cutting board for her.

“She will absolutely appreciate that. I’m a little smaller than I was when I was still working but I have not even packed away most of my warm weather clothes yet. I just have to do some laundry before I pack. Effie will be looking after Fossie for me. She loves that kitty.”

They sat silently for a while. Bobbie was a little worried about leaving Will alone to manage the motel. She’d have to talk to Mark about how the wedding went. Joan sent her a couple pictures but didn’t comment too much. Hopefully it all went well. At any rate it would be good to sleep in her own bed for a night. She didn’t like that there were a few things left by Townes in the apartment. She would gather those up as soon as she could.

Bobbie started typing messages on her phone to set up meetings tomorrow. She got them all ready and would send them as soon as they landed.

Bobbie and Barb collected their luggage and Bobbie offered to drive Barb home. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Clive Teller at the car rental desk. I guess Clive is looking after himself. “Let’s get going. Do you need to pick anything up on the way?”

Barb shook her head no and they went into the parking lot. Bobbie’s phone was pinging loudly and she decided to leave it in her purse for a while. She dropped Barb off and promised to call her tomorrow and she headed back to her motel on the other side of Crow Harbour. It was a misty, rainy, foggy afternoon and it matched her mood exactly. She was having a hard time getting excited for getting home. She wasn’t really jazzed for the trip she had scheduled either. She shook her head and parked and got her things out of her car.

Effie was waiting by her door. “Let me carry something for you.”

Bobbie smiled appreciatively. “Thanks, I don’t know how I managed to bring home so much.”

They took the elevator and Bobbie did find a sense of relief when it opened and she stepped into the apartment.

Effie put down her bag. “I hope you don’t mind. I tidied your place a little and put Townes’s things in a box and put it in the laundry room.”

“That’s fine. It’s actually a bit of a relief. I wasn’t looking forward to dealing with it. The apartment looks great. I’m amazed you had the time to clean my place, didn’t the wedding have you extra busy?”

Effie nodded. “We were busy. Mink called Brit and Rose to help and they worked the wedding buffet and helped at Sunday brunch. They put in a few hours helping us with rooms and Roger was really hopping in the laundry room.”

“That sounds like everyone worked very hard. Thank you, Effie. I wish I could have been here to help.”

“You have so much to think about. We just want you to know we can handle things and are pretty good with special busy times too. Now that you’re settled, I guess I’ll go, things are all done and we’re ready for tomorrow.”

Bobbie thanked her again and took her bag into her room. It looked like her room again; the bed was freshly made and there was nothing left to indicate that Townes ever spent a lot of time there. She realized how much she appreciated this. She really had not wanted to come home and deal with it all. She sank down on the bed and let out a sigh of relief. She was going to be OK.

She decided to go get her phone. There were quite a few messages and there was one form Johnny saying he wanted to drop by with supper. She replied, “That would be great Johnny, surprise me.”

It was about 3:30 and it was Sunday so the motel should be pretty quiet. She decided to go check on things anyway. Quinn and Ray and the twins were all at the registration desk.

“What a bonus I get to see the whole family, hi girls.”

“Hi Bobbie we were just checking in on our way home from the market. How did the memorial go? We’re so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Quinn, it was OK, it was sad, finally seeing Townes’s home, without Townes but we survived. Have things been busy here?”

“It sure was. We had a wedding. It was pretty great. Mink and Joan organised all the set up and it was as nice as you could imagine. The rooms were full and most of the guests said they would love to come back for a weekend. I think we’re going to wrap it up here. I just checked in a guy named Clive Teller. He’s staying a couple weeks. Do you know who he is?”

“He’s some kind of private security guy. It’s a long storey but Trixie wants him here to make sure we don’t have any trouble.”

“What kind of trouble Bobbie?”

“Don’t worry Ray, it’s just a bit of intrigue around the Oil company shares I inherited from Townes and his mother. There was a bit of drama around the memorial but I think it’s over with.”

“Why don’t you come up to our place for Sunday dinner. You can play with the twins and tell us about the memorial and we can have smores and a rainy campfire for dessert.”

“Oh, thanks guys. I’m a little tired. Johnny has offered to bring me supper and I’m a little worn out so I’ll just stay her I guess.”

“Johnny would totally be invited but we understand.”

Bobbie waved goodbye and started thinking about Mink; Mink and Chase. Chase started his chemo treatments and Mink was looking after him and taking on a lot more here at the motel, not to mention their big renovation. She should make up a basket and visit them. She went back to the house and found a nice basket and two cashmere beanies she made especially for Chase. She texted Mink and asked if she could have a short visit before dinner. She didn’t wait for a reply, grabbed the basket and drove to Mark’s dad’s garden centre and found a lovely African violet. They had a special plant pot that had ruffles around the edges that was sweet. Mark’s sister Amy was working at the cash and offered to re-pot the plant into the special pot.

Bobbie thanked her and headed out to the drug store. She found a couple magazines and a couple tins of hard candies. Her last stop was the grocery store. She found some cheese, crackers, individual yogourts, protein bars and on impulse some fruit leather. She bought a couple bottles of kombucha and some Ensure. She went back to the car and her phone pinged. Mink said she could come right over. She took a minute to arrange her basket and headed back to the motel.

She parked and went up to Mink and Chase’s suite. Mink opened up the door and motioned her in. “Oh Bobbie, I’m so glad you back home. I’m sure the whole trip was insufferable. Losing Townes was a tragedy.”

Bobbie moved into the room and put the basket on their kitchen counter. She turned and hugged Mink. “I survived, there’s no where to go but forward. I’m a little worried about you guys. You have a lot going on.”

“You brought prezzies! Come sit.”

Chase was sitting on a chair with a blanket over his legs and was wearing a weak smile. “Hi Bobbie it’s so nice of you to visit. I’ve been a little nauseated but am doing pretty well.”

Mink started to unpack the basket. “Oh, Chase this is great. Martha Stewart’s special Christmas magazine. We love! And here’s some mints to help with your dry mouth and nausea and lots of yummy snacks. This little plant is adorbs, I’ll put it on our table and share it on my socials.”

Chase put on one of the beanies. “This is so soft Bobbie. Take a picture of this Mink; I think it’s great for the socials too.”

“I’m glad you like it all. I just want to thank you both for everything and Mink, I know you worked really hard on the wedding.”

“Mink loves weddings.”

Bobbie chatted for a couple minutes, they hugged again and she excused herself. “Don’t hesitate to let me know if you need anything.”

Bobbie walked down the stairs and over to her apartment. She opened the door and walked up her stairs and unlocked the door at the top. It was good to be back. She went in and made a cup of tea and waited for Johnny.