“Good, Mayor Bascomb. You probably heard that I’m doing work-study for college credits here in Lake Eden for the rest of the semester.”
“That’s wonderful, Michelle. I’m sure your family is glad to have you back in Lake Eden for a while. Isn’t that right, Hannah?”
“Yes it is, Mayor Bascomb.”
He gave Hannah the smile she always thought of as smarmy and turned back to Michelle. “Are you working at The Cookie Jar for your sister?”
“Yes, but that’s not work-study. That’s because I love Hannah, and I love to bake.”
“Admirable.” Maybe Bascomb nodded and turned back to Hannah. “And how are you, Hannah?”
“Just fine, thank you. I’m not sure you know this, but Michelle is working for the Lake Eden Players. The college has sent her here to direct the Thanksgiving play.”
“Wonderful!” Mayor Bascomb smiled at Michelle. “I’d forgotten that you were a drama major. I’m happy to hear that our traditions will be upheld. Lake Eden has had a Thanksgiving play for the past twenty-seven years.”
“And the play is the reason I came to see you today, Mayor Bascomb,” Michelle said quickly. “Your sister did such a wonderful job with the production that it shouldn’t really be a problem to wrap up a few loose ends and perform it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Mayor Bascomb assumed an expression that was both grateful and sorrowful.
Hannah knew it was mean of her to even think it, but she wondered if he had practiced that same expression in front of the mirror to make sure it reflected the emotions that he wanted to convey.
“My older sister, Victoria, was a very talented and generous person.”
“She certainly was!” Michelle agreed, and Hannah knew that her youngest sister had glommed onto the word generous and would use it to the advantage of the Lake Eden Players.
“Her generosity is certainly something I’ve encountered in the short time I’ve been their director.”
“How so?” Mayor Bascomb asked.
Hannah felt like cheering. Ricky-Ticky had waltzed right into Michelle’s trap.
“She ordered new makeup for the production and it’s the best that money can buy. It’s even more expensive than the makeup we use in Macalester College theatrical productions.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. The Lake Eden Players deserve the best.”
Hannah wanted to cheer for a second time. The teeth of Michelle’s trap had just clanged shut.
“They certainly do deserve the best. They’re working so hard on this production, Mayor Bascomb. I’m very proud of them. But we do have a slight problem.”
“What’s that, Michelle?”
“Your sister promised to write a check for the makeup invoice and she . . . well . . . she didn’t get to it before she . . .” Michelle stopped and brushed a tear from her cheek.
Hannah stared at her sister in shock when she realized that a very real tear had begun to roll down Michelle’s other cheek.
“It’s so very sad,” Michelle concluded.
“Well . . . yes, it’s very sad. And I’d love to help you out . . . but there’s a slight problem.” Mayor Bascomb paused and Hannah could see him go on the defensive. “I’m sorry about this, Michelle. I’d write a check immediately, but probate has to be settled before . . .”
“Oh no, Mayor Bascomb!” Michelle looked properly shocked. “I didn’t mean that at all! We’re holding a bake sale to pay for the makeup, and we’re even selling tickets to a pie eating contest on Saturday afternoon.”
Hannah could see Mayor Bascomb visibly relax and he smiled at Michelle kindly. “What a good idea! I’ll be sure to pass the word to everyone, Michelle.”
“Thank you, Mayor Bascomb! I was hoping you’d say that. If you mention it, I’m sure that people will come. And perhaps I shouldn’t even ask, but . . .”
Hannah watched in amazement as Michelle stopped speaking and a blush rose to her cheeks.
“What is it, Michelle?” Their mayor smiled at her kindly.
“Well . . . I know it’s a lot to ask, but . . . would you possibly consider being a contestant in our pie eating contest?”
“I . . . well . . . I’m really not . . .” Mayor Bascomb equivocated.
“Wait!” Michelle interrupted what was sure to be a refusal. “Let me tell you about the contest before you say anything else. It’s not going to be one of those pie-in-your-face awful contests you see on television. And by the way, KCOW will be televising it.”
“Really?” Mayor Bascomb began to smile. “Tell me more about this contest, Michelle.”
Hannah bit the inside of her cheek to keep from chuckling, as Michelle continued. “There won’t be any hands tied behind your back or anything undignified like that. Each contestant will be given a spoon and they’ll have one to two minutes to eat as much pie out of the pie plate as they can. Then the judges will inspect the pie plates and declare the winner. Of course, the winner will be featured on the front page of the Lake Eden Journal in their Sunday edition.”
“Really! A spoon, you say? And no hands behind the back?”
“That’s right. I certainly don’t want to embarrass any of our Lake Eden citizens.”
“Of course not. That’s very perceptive of you, Michelle.” He still hadn’t agreed and Hannah held her breath. Had Michelle planned for this?
“There’s something else, Mayor Bascomb. The Lake Eden Players are planning a small tribute to your sister right after the Thanksgiving play. It’ll take place during our curtain call and . . .” Michelle stopped and sighed. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you and Mrs. Bascomb consider announcing the names of the players as they come out, one by one, to take their curtain calls? It’ll be something like an award show with both of you standing at the podium and calling out the names.”