"We're going up town to do some shopping," she said. "Molly didn't bring near enough clothes. We'll have lunch too." Over their shoulder I saw Martha leave, with little Claire in her arms.
"Bring me back something," I said. Once alone, I dialed Daniel Brennan.
"Tommy here, Dan. Are you still interested in fishing the North Country?" There was a pause.
"Good to hear from you, buddy. What's up?" There was a touch of hesitation in his voice.
"I'd like to get together," I said. We've talked about it long enough. How about doing it? Can you spare a few days get together?"
"You're serious?"
"Yup. The fish are practically jumping in the boat."
"How's everyone else?" he asked.
"Things are unsettled around here. Relatives from Delaware and Alabama are about to visit. You know what a problem that can be."
"Give me an hour or so and a number where I can call you. It sounds like I might be able to work something out." I gave Daniel Brennan a New Hampshire cell phone number. In spite of our air conditioning, I was perspiring freely when I hung up.
While I hadn't given Quinn and Howie enough time to accomplish much, I called them anyway. I had to know if Martha had telephoned her husband.
Julie answered Howie's cell phone. She sounded subdued and whispered as she asked how Molly was doing. I told her fine and considered informing her Molly knew about the contest entry. But what would that accomplish? It would only confuse the issue further.
"Howie and Quinn are doing whatever they do."
"My phone call didn't break it up?"
"I put Howie's cell on buzzer so it wouldn't disturb them. Quinn shut his off and no one calls me. It's all a little scary but I helped by getting Howie to go to sleep. It took ages. I'm in another room now and I have to be quiet. There's a great view up here but it's hazy. I can't even see the ground," she said.
"Have they been at it long?"
"Maybe twenty minutes," she said. I asked her that one of them call me with the results.
I couldn't sit still in the office alone and I frankly I wanted the company of my wife. I strolled up town, hoping to catch them. Neither Betsy nor I liked chain fast food so I looked in the windows of the café we liked. No luck. I made it to the circle park at the head of Main Street and drank in the sunshine on a park bench. I fiddled with my cell phone, willing it to ring. The warmth was nearly enough for me to nod off when I heard a honk and Molly waved from Betsy's side window as she slowly circled. The three of us rode out to Rick's Gourmet Ice Cream where we calmed our souls with three scoops of Cherry Cheesecake for Betsy and a like amount of extreme Chocolate for Molly and me.