“Flossie, how are Benny and Nanea going to get you and the rest of this home? They can’t possibly carry this all the way home in the dark, and you can’t walk all that way. They need help, and they need it soon. I’ve got an idea. Where’s that radio? ‘Eliot calling Mina . . .”
“I’m sorry, Trudy, but I can’t stop to talk right now. Eliot just radioed that he needs help. No, nothing serious. Just a little, um, let’s call it a ‘random act of kindness’. Harold, if you don’t mind, would you put my pizza back in the warmer? I won’t be long.”
“That was fast. I think Benny needs our help, what with the fact that this is Nanea’s idea of buying ‘no more than she could carry home’. Let me put these boxes in first, and then we can pile the gift bags on top. And the pastries. Yep. And the chicken. And anything else Nanea buys. Boy, it’s a good thing this wagon is rated for two tons. These are some heavy boxes. Okay, one more. Now, just stand there and look casual . . .”
“Hey, man! That music is super cool. How’d you hook it up? Wow, I’m impressed. And that’s a great song. Where’d you find that? Nope, can’t say I’ve ever heard of Lou Monte. When?! 1958? Just a bit before my time.” Raucous laughter. “Thanks for the pizza. It’s a real life-saver. Gotta run. Eliot’s watching Flossie for me, and I hate to leave him there too long. You’re a real chum, Harold. Huh? No, I’m afraid we can’t stay for the fireworks. Nanea was supposed to keep her shopping down to no more than we could carry, but she’s bought so much stuff . . . and what with Flossie and all . . . we’re going to have to make a couple of trips. And I really don’t want to have to do them in the dark. We’ve had a great time, though, and my sister doesn’t get to do stuff like this very often. No, I don’t mind. But I’ve gotta run now.”
“Hey, man! What’s this?! It’s the answer to a fella’s prayers, that’s what it is! How can I thank you guys enough? I’ve been sweating it for the last hour, trying to figure out how to stay for the fireworks and still get everything home in the dark. Funny, I was just telling Harold that we wouldn’t be able to stay that late. Wow! Think we can balance this pizza on top without ruining any of the packages? Okay, you do it, Mina. Sure, it’s okay for Flossie to sit up there. This does give me an idea, though, Eliot. What Islandshire needs is its own delivery service– Here she comes. Let’s see how long it takes her to see what you’ve done. Hey, Nanea, look who’s here!”
“Eliot? Mina? Why did they run off like that, Benny? I guess they had to get back to setting up the fireworks. No, I didn’t buy anything el– Oh, Benny! How did you manage this? What do you mean what?! This! The delivery wagon! They did? Why didn’t they stay so I could thank them? Oh, don’t be silly, Benny. Nobody’s too shy to be thanked. Now, we can stay for the fireworks and everything! And Flossie won’t have to walk all the way home! And . . . oh . . . just everything! Bunty, did you hear what your brother did for us?! I know, he is a kind boy. Oh, I’m so happy . . . Oh, Flossie . . . Oh . . .” Cluck.
“Oh, girls! Did you see what Eliot did for us? Now, I can stay for the fireworks and everything. And Flossie’s happy, too. Because she doesn’t have to walk home, of course.” Cluck. “Maybe I should see if Bethany has time to do Flossie’s portrait. Nautilus, would you please run and ask Bethany if she has time before the fireworks? Thanks!”
“Excuse me, Bethany, but Nanea wants to know if you have time to do Flossie’s portrait before the fireworks.”
“Oh, Nautilus, tell her I’m ever so sorry, but I just barely have time to finish with Velvet here. Tell her I’d be happy to have her and Flossie over some time for a private sitting. A private sitting? That’s when you make an appointment to have your portrait done at a time when it will be just the two of you. Yes, Nanea will be allowed to come with Flossie. I know that’s three people, but we’ll make an exception this time. Okay? Thanks for playing messenger. Now, Velvet, let’s see if we can get you done before Pete and Mina want to clear our stuff away for the fireworks. My, but your hair is beautiful. I only wish I could get it all in the sketch. Who? Oh, is that you Mina? Just five more minutes, and the beach is all yours!”
“Okay, Eliot, that’s that. Pete’s moving the fireworks out to the beach, now. As soon as I get the easel off the beach, we can start setting things up. Yep, I think we’ll be right on time for an 8:30 show. How are we going to get everyone down to this end of the street? I know! Hey, Kitty, mind doing us a favor? Could you please start spreading the word that everything will be closed down at 8:30 for the fireworks display? The best view will be from this end of the street, at the beach. So, tell everyone to start making their way down a couple of minutes before then. Thanks! Well, boys, I’m going to get to work. I wonder where Pete is . . .”
“Mina just told me that we’re ready to start tearing down the portrait easel and setting up the fireworks. Anything else you need me for before I get started? Okay, but if you need help after this, I’ve already asked George and Fletcher to stand in for me. And I saw Nachito around here somewhere, so grab him if you need moving or hefting. Keep your radio on, because I’ll call when everything’s set up. Okay, thanks.”
“Thanks, just keep the change for RBST. The reason I stopped in was to let you know that Eliot says it’s nearly time to close up for the fireworks. Yeah, he said no later than 8:30.”
“Just wanted to let you know that Eliot says we should start moving towards the beach for the fireworks display.”
“One more quick lemonade, please! May as well make it a large one, since I heard you’re about to close for the fireworks. Sonja, make sure you fill it all the way, because Sun-Ho’s closing pretty soon for the fireworks. Ooh, I know. I can hardly wait. Thanks, Sun-Ho!”
“Excuse me, please. Worker coming through. Sorry. I need to get through, or you won’t have fireworks. Excuse me. Excuse me. Sorry . . .”
“Here you are, Johanna! I’m sorry, girls, but we have to close now. Eliot needs the street cleared off so we can all watch the fireworks. It has been fun!” Giggling.
“Have I got time to get some popcorn and a pretzel, George? Oh, great! No, thanks. I don’t think I can juggle butter dip with the crowd that’s forming for the fireworks. Thanks for doing this. The street has smelled good all evening!”
“Sorry, girls, but I have to close up now. Time for the fireworks. Actually, Bunty’s taking the leftovers home with her, so you’ll have plenty for tomorrow. I’ll catch ya later. Excuse me . . . ‘Harold here. No, you’re coming in fine. All right, I’ll tell him. Over and out. Signing off now.’ Hey, Mina, Pete’s ready for you now. He says your radio isn’t working. Just leave it with me, and I’ll take a look at it. No problem.”
“Just wanted to make sure you’ve got everything you need. No, just leave the pizza right there, and I’ll have Henry and Vesey load it onto the scooter to take back to the house. Wait, I’ll take one last piece before you box it up. I think we need a refrigerator in the Diner. Remind me to look into that. I see Nachito and Marina made it in time. I need to have a word with them. No, they couldn’t close the dock down any sooner than this. Some kind of big shipment from the mainland. Later. Hey, Nachito–.”
“Wow, this place is a mess . . . I’ll clean up after the show is over. Wonder if there’ll be time to give my 10 Wonderful Reasons talk before the fireworks? Oh, Eliot . . .”
“Hey, Eliot! Eliot? Oh, forget it. ‘Eliot. Harold calling Eliot. Come in, please. Hey, chum. Any chance I could do my talk? You know, once the fireworks are over and everyone’s still there? Even if I say it really fast? Well, you’re probably right, but I don’t see what being dark has to do with listening. Actually, now that you mention it, I’ve got a better idea. No, I think I’ll just surprise everyone. Don’t worry, it’s a great idea! Over and out. Signing off. Roger wilco.”
“Mind doing me a favor, Sonja? Could you, please, find Bethany or Olivia and ask her to remove their art supplies from the beach? Everything’s ready to move, now, but I’m up to my neck in fireworks. Thanks, that’s a big help! Hmm? The sooner the better.”
“Marina! Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you? Oh, well, I guess that has to come first. Let’s hurry and get a pretzel and a drink for you. Everyone’s closing up for the fireworks. Just wait’ll you see Bunty’s new shop. Oh, no, it’s not just for spinners and knitters. It’s filled with the cutest ready-made things. All with a ‘sheep-y’ theme, too! And they’re selling some of Jill’s handpainted Christmas ornaments. No, it isn’t just a shop for tonight! Didn’t you hear? Eliot bought the building for her! It’s all her own, to open whenever she wants– I bet she’d love to. Just let her know the next time you’re in this part of Islandshire, and I’m sure she’d open for you. Just wait’ll you see the little needlefelted . . .”
“Thought I’d head over one last time to see how it’s going, Bunty, and it appears that I’m just in time. Congratulations! Our readers will love to know that you made your goal and more. Brighton, that is the cutest gift wrap. It reminds me of the way my grandmother used to do them up. You, too?! Maybe Jill and Silver should call that the “Gramma Wrap”? They did?! How funny! Think I’ll run over and see what else I missed. Oh, well. Maybe I’ll catch them next time they bring their cart into town. Again, Bunty, a big thumbs-up to all your efforts for this worthwhile organization. Almost enough to make one go out and buy a sheep . . . No, no. Just kidding. By the way, Brighton, you do know that we have subscribers from many off-island places, right? If you just stop by the office before you leave the island, I can give you a current list of rates and subscription options. Okay, tomorrow it is. Gotta run, bye-bye!”
“HEY, EVERYBODY! I THINK THE FIREWORKS ARE GOING TO BEGIN! HEY! THE FIREWORKS!” Cluck cluck cluck. “Oh, NO, Flossie. This is no time to lay an egg!”