then cleanup after them,” she said, rolling her eyes at the thought of the inconsiderateness of most people she dealt with on a day-to-day basis.
“Oh, you’re the town hall girl?” Michael asked slapping his knee and lighting up with recognition. “My clerks literally arm wrestle to see which of them will be going to the records department just so they can drool over you. I have to admit I can see why.”
“They call me the town hall girl? That’s pretty condescending don’t you think?” Jules let her southern self-righteousness start to flare, and Piper cleared her throat in an effort to remind Jules of the purpose of this meeting.
“You’ve been called much worse,” Bobby chimed in with a victorious smile. “Remember what they used to call you in middle school?”
“Shut your ugly mouth, Bobby Wright, or I’ll tell Piper some of the most embarrassing things I know about you. Don’t think I’m above it, you know I’m not.” Jules pointed her finger at Bobby threateningly.
“Truce,” Bobby shouted, not quite ready for Piper to hear about how he got stuck in a compromising position while trying to climb the Larson’s chain-link fence, or how he burped accidently while playing spin the bottle with Stacy Parmer from down the road.
“It’s ready,” called Betty in her singsong voice as she carried a large tray of food past them and into the dining room.
As they all took their seats, Betty smiled with delight at the group gathered around her table. “Thank you, Jesus, for this wonderful company. Thank you for bringing Piper back to our table and for Michael joining us tonight.”
“Amen to that,” Bobby said, squeezing Piper’s leg below the table. “Now pass the potatoes, I’m starving.” By the look on Michael’s face, if he wasn’t completely won over by Jules’s beauty then he might agree to help in order to get more of Betty’s food.
The dinner was full of cordial conversation. Jules seemed to refocus her energy back on wooing Michael, and by all accounts, it seemed to be working. It was all going smoothly until, once again, Betty went off-script after dessert.
“Michael, I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to be a part of all this. When I lost my husband, Stan, I thought I’d never be able to go on with my life. It devastated Jules and me beyond belief. These last ten years have been brimming over with regret and questions. When Piper and Bobby told me what they were going to do, it renewed my soul. I feel like Stan is sitting right here with us. I’d have to make you a thousand meals to ever come close to thanking you for your part in it.” Betty folded her hands together and put them over her heart, looking sincerely around the table.
“It’s my pleasure, Betty. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, and I’m so glad to hear that you’re in the process of finding some peace,” Michael said, smiling back at Betty and, much to Piper’s amazement, not skipping a beat.
“Well I’m going to clear these dishes. Why don’t ya’ll go sit on the porch and enjoy this beautiful night. Bobby, put some logs on the fire pit out there so ya’ll don’t freeze.” Betty stood and filled her hands with dishes before disappearing into the next room.
“Jules, will you do me a favor and help your mom clear? I’m going to chat with Piper and Michael outside for a bit.” Bobby spoke through his teeth and glared at Jules indicating she had better do what he asked.
“It does sound like we have a bit to chat about, now doesn’t it?” Michael quipped, standing up with an awkward smile on his face.
The three moved onto the porch, all searching for an appropriate starting point for the conversation. Since Piper felt the most amount of responsibility for the three of them being there, she worked up the courage to speak first. “That wasn’t exactly how we planned to ask you for your help. I’m sure you have a lot of questions, and I appreciate your not venting any frustration in front of Betty. She means well.”
“I guess I’m wondering what all that was about. I think both Betty and Jules are lovely, and being here tonight was great. Right up until the speech about the endless gratitude, I thought things were going pretty well.” Michael scratched at his head and looked perplexed.
Bobby thought he’d take a crack at an explanation. “I think you had a good idea of