Page 30 - voices-2023-03

A SEASON OF STORIES

“This is a picture of me as The Lone Ranger. whispered. “You better be careful dredging up
We are all in the upstairs ballroom.” He went on the past. You might be biting off more than you
to talk about the fabulous food and drink that can chew.” He turned around and left through

was offered. the front door. That’s when she realized that
“And the best is saved for last. Carl, are you everyone, but Penny had made a hasty exit while
ready for one?” she was lost in thought.
“You bet.” “Laura are you okay?” Penny put a hand on her

Carl’s photo was of the kitchen staff where arm. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
a much younger Carl stood near the basement “I stirred something up. Let’s put the supplies
door. He chose to focus on the platters of food away. I need to go home and think.”
that the staff piled high and then placed them Penny gathered up the name tents, the gavel,

in the dumb waiter to send to the second-floor and the timing lights. Laura rolled up the banner
ballroom. and put it in the bag. As she collapsed the sides of
“That ends Table Topics. I hope you all the tabletop lectern, a sheet of paper fell to the
enjoyed the opportunity to tell a story.” Laura floor. She bent down and picked it up. “Penny,

returned control to Terry and took her seat. While there’s another note.”
the General Evaluator conducted the evaluation “You read it this time but let me sit down first.”
portion of the meeting, she revisited the reactions Penny pulled out a chair and lowered herself into
to the photos. Rich added nothing to the mystery. it. “Okay, I’m ready.”

His response to the photo boosted Penny’s ego Laura’s voice cracked as she read, “I warned
and nothing more. you. Back off now.”
Terry recognized her mother and stepped To be continued . . .
into her shoes for a brief time.

John took the viewpoint that a comedy of
errors brough the two devils together. They
found it humorous and laughed it off.
Mark zeroed in on the food and drink.

Which one had to admit was lavish.
That just left Carl. What was Carl doing
standing next to the stairway? Coincidence? Was
he at the right time and place to push William

down the stairs?
“Meeting adjourned.”
Laura turned her attention back to the
group. There was a heavy air about the room.

Not the usual jovial vibes, but a tension that you
could cut with a knife. She started towards the
banner but was intercepted by Carl.
He leaned down to Laura’s left ear and

30 ONE COMMUNITY