A 15th Jixanny CWP Story

Part I

Standing side by side, Trixie and Imogene assessed the dining room layout in the  new restaurant Imogene planned to open next to her shop, Ingram’s Antiques.

“Well, my dear, what do you think?” asked Imogene.

“I think it’s perfect.  I can’t wait to see the first customers walk through the door.” Feeling a wave of excitement run through her, Trixie reflected back over the past several months and how the restaurant had come to be part of the antique shop.

 
After acquiring the building next door,  Imogene’s new venture began to take root.  First,  architects and designers paraded their ideas past her, hoping she would choose their vision.  Initially, Imogene had wanted a 70’s themed restaurant with background disco music and a staff wearing clunky heels and loud, vibrant colors.  But one designer, Blair, successfully persuaded Imogene to rethink her plans.  He presented her with a sketch of a restaurant that reflected the history of the area and complimented the artifacts from the antique shop.  

“Oh, no.  This drawing looks like an old fort or a log cabin.  I want my place to snap,” protested Imogene.

“Let’s look at it this way, “ Blair patiently explained.  “My plan has a nice, warm, cozy atmosphere.  After spending time exploring the area and shopping in your store, this will be the perfect place for people to relax.  In fact, your customers will get so comfortable that they won’t want to leave.”

After  meeting with Blair,  Imogene retreated to the back room of the antique shop and studied the sketches, mumbling to herself and making notes on  the drawings.  An hour later,  Trixie was surprised when Imogene ran out of the back room, waving the plans through the air.

“Trixie!  Trixie!  You have to see these sketches.  They’re wonderful.”

“You think they’re wonderful?” questioned Trixie, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.

“Yes, dearie, I do.  After forgoing my dream design, I took a second look at Blair’s drawings and I must agree with him that this is the way to go with the restaurant.”

Trixie stopped what she was doing and bent over the plans that Imogene had spread across the front counter.  After studying them, Trixie looked up at Imogene and smiled.

“You know,  Imogene,  Blair’s right.  The decor of the restaurant will fit in perfectly with the history of Sleepyside.”

“I know.  I just hate to tell a man he’s right.  It gives him a big head.”

Trixie rolled her eyes.  “Well, I, for one, can’t wait to see this project finished.  In particular, I’m looking forward to the food.”

“Of course, dear.  With your friend Ian as the head chef, we can’t go wrong.  The menu we decided upon looks yummy.  And last week we met with a local winery and added several selections to the menu.”

Now, with most of the work completed, Imogene and Trixie stood and admired the results of their choices and decisions.

“Do you think we should have some beers on the menu, maybe from a local microbrewery?” pondered  Imogene. “I’ve noticed several have sprung up in the area.”

“You know, you’re only open through the late afternoon.  Maybe you could offer two choices of beer.”

“Yes, that might work.  I don’t suppose you know any young men who might like to swig a beer or two?” Imogene asked, her green eyes twinkling.

“Hmm… I might know a few.” Trixie blushed at Imogene’s thinly veiled reference to Trixie’s boyfriend, Tad Webster.

“If you could ask him before tomorrow night, we might be able to include some of his choices  for the menu sampling party.”

“Okay, Imogene. Anything else?”

“Yes. I’m dying to know his intentions toward you?”

“Imogene!” Trixie exploded as she watched a laughing Imogene walk away. Shaking her head, Trixie returned to balancing the cash drawer while muttering to herself about Imogene’s obsession with the relationship between the young couple.

The next day Trixie was working on a display when she heard the tinkling of the bell that hung over the door.  Looking up, she smiled broadly, then ran across the shop.  “Mart!” she cried, throwing her arms around her brother, “when did you get here?”

“About five seconds ago.  Sheesh, Trixie!” Mart grinned and returned the hug.  

“So you’ve actually quit your teaching job in Buffalo and are moving back here?”

“Yep.  And it’s not as if that job was a permanent one.  I’m going to register myself as a sub for several local districts, though.  That should help me with expenses while I try to get my own business off the ground.”

“I can’t believe after all this time you’ve finally decided that landscaping is your calling.”  

Mart shrugged.  “What can I say?  Once I got the soil of our mother planet under the nails of my longer digits, I was hooked.”

Trixie rolled her eyes at her brother’s words, then laughed.

Following his sister around the shop, Mart chatted, happy to be back in his  hometown and with his family.  Trixie filled Mart in on the happenings and gossip of the quaint village.    

“And when do you finally finish your academic pursuits?” Mart asked.

“I just have to take a few more classes.  I’ll definitely be done by this time next year.”

“I can’t comprehend the idea of you as a psych major.  Thank goodness you didn’t opt for a degree in fashion,” Mart said, noting Trixie’s jeans and t-shirt that were topped with a work apron.  

“I only a minored in fashion,” teased Trixie.  “As for the psych major, what greater mystery exists than the human mind and the behavior of others? Hey, you could be my first case.”

Mart snorted.  “Why bother with perfection? I’m just surprised you’re not going to try to be a cop or a detective?”

Trixie sighed.  “I know that was always my dream, but since I’ve been spending so much time with Spider, I’ve learned that a lot of what he does is incredibly boring.  The last thing I want to do is spend 40 hours a week running radar.  And checking out the prowling racoons doesn’t do much for me either.”

Mart stared at Trixie, a puzzled look on his face.  “You’re really not going to be a cop. Then what are you going to do?”

“I have a good job right now that I really enjoy. Do you know how much fun I have digging through boxes and finding neat treasures and historical pieces? Plus, Imogene’s an absolute doll! But, if I change my mind, I’ll be sure to let you know.” Trixie poked her brother in the arm to emphasize her point.

“Yeh.” Mart cocked his head slightly.  “Imogene does seem like a good boss.  Hey, remember in elementary school when we had that goals day and you wanted to train the Clydesdale horses and I wanted to be a professional game show contestant?”

Trixie nodded.  “Yep. And that goal is still in the back of my mind.  At least Brian stuck with his plans.”

“True.  But he started working for that when he was about three.  Sharing a room with him was always a treat, especially when he wanted to name the various bones throughout the body. Some people count sheep, Brian rattled off  bones.

Trixie giggled.  “Have you seen Diana yet?”

“No offense to you, but I’m saving the best for last.”

Trixie spun around suddenly.  “Hey, why don’t you and Diana join us tomorrow night for a menu-tasting feast?”

Mart’s eyebrows rose up in interest.  “A feast, you say?”

Trixie’s eyes sparkled.  “Yes.  After work we’re going over to the restaurant and sample the dishes that Ian and Imogene have chosen for the menu.  You and Diana should join us.   It’ll be fun! And there’ll be tons of food.”

“Hmmm...I did want private time with the beautiful Diana,  but this feast intrigues me.  Will it just be you and Imogene?”’’

“And Tad, of course.”

Mart eyed his sister.  “Are you two still tight?”

Trixie crossed her arms defiantly, her eyes flashing.  “Yes.  Do you have a problem with that?”

“Nope, no problem here,” answered Mart hastily. “ What time should we join you?”

“Come around seven.  That’s when we close the shop.”

“Okay, sibling.  My fair Diana and I will return to the preferred dining establishment at 1900 hours.”

Trixie walked Mart to the front door and held it open for her brother.  “And, Mart, leave the dictionary at home.”

Before Mart could reply, Trixie quickly closed the door on his heels.  

Promptly at seven o’clock the next evening, Trixie locked the front door and proceeded to balance the drawer.  Imogene had already gone to the restaurant, so Trixie was alone.  A soft tapping  caught her attention and, looking up, she saw her brother peering through the front glass.

“Hey, Mart,” said Trixie after she had released the lock.

“I brought you a surprise,” said Mart.

“Di!” cried out Trixie. “I’m so glad you’re home. I haven’t seen you in months.”   The two friends hugged tightly.

“Nope,” said Mart,  “Di’s for me.  Here’s your surprise.”

Stepping aside, Mart pulled Honey out of the shadows.  

“Honey?  Are you really here?” questioned Trixie.   Honey stepped forward and the two friends hugged tightly, breaking apart only to pull Diana into their hug.  

“Yes, I found her loitering at the Wheeler mail receptacle at the base of their driveway,” explained Mart.  “I thought she might want to join us.”

“I managed to get out of the city a bit early since my exams were all done.  I’m so glad Mart added me to the group tonight, as long as it’s all right with Imogene.”

“Me too and absolutely.  The more mouths and opinions, the better,” said Trixie as she again crushed her friend in a big hug.

Trixie ushered the group into the shop, but before she could lock the door, a foot blocked it.  

“Hi, Tad,” grinned Trixie, noting the arrival of her boyfriend.  

Tad slid in through the partially open door and grabbed Trixie in a warm embrace.Their kiss was interrupted by Mart.

 “Ahem.  I’m watching you two.”

Tad smiled down at Trixie, then frowned at Mart.  Spying Diana and Honey in the shop, Tad ignored Mart and greeted each girl with a big hug.  

“This is going to be so much fun.   I’ll  have Ian set another place at the table,” exclaimed Trixie, running off.   In a few minutes, she was back, her excitement showing on her face.  “It smells really good over there.  I can’t wait to go.  But first, I have to finish my work so you guys need to keep quiet.”

“Oh, I see.  Numbers.  Yes, we should all maintain  silence so as to not disturb the concentration processes of your insufficient, yet wacky mind,” quipped Mart.

Trixie stuck her tongue out at her brother, then grinned and went back to her work.  Tad chose to stay with her while the other three wandered through the store.

Off to the side of the cash register, Honey and Diana bent over and examined the victorian-era jewelry that was arranged out in a glass display case.

“Look at that bracelet.  I love it,” exclaimed Diana.

“Which one?” asked Honey.

“This one.”  Diana tapped the glass above the piece of jewelry.  “It looks like something Norma Shearer would have worn in The Women. I love vintage jewelry.”

Honey studied the bracelet, imagining it on the wrist of a fashionable woman during the 1940’s.  Suddenly, she gasped.  “But that bracelet costs $4117 dollars!”

Diana, confused,  looked at her friend.  “Where did you get that idea?”

“Look at the number on the tag.”

Diana shook her head.  “I made the same mistake once.  That number identifies the person who’s selling it. It’s on consignment.”

“Oh.”  Honey began to giggle.  “Can you see Trixie trying to sell a bracelet that cost several thousand dollars?”

Diana stood still and screwed up her eyes before smiling back at her friend. “Not really. I can’t even see her trying to sell a bracelet at all.”

Honey and Diana chuckled quietly then continued to peruse the jewelry while Trixie and Tad kept busy at the front counter.  Mart paced impatiently at the door that connected the antique shop with the restaurant.

“There!  Done!” announced Trixie, as she untied her apron.  “Just give me one more minute.”  She dashed through the shop and into the back room where she tossed the apron onto the cluttered desk.

“What are you guys waiting for?” she asked breathlessly when she reappeared a few seconds later.

Mart threw his arms across the shoulders of Honey and Diana and hurried them to the restaurant while Tad and Trixie trailed behind.  

“Hey, look at that!” remarked Tad as they walked past a new display.  “That’s a really cool ham radio.”

Trixie looked at the machine that had been brought to the shop a few days earlier.  “Yep.  It’s a Zenith Transoceanic model.”

Tad looked at Trixie in surprise.  “You know that?”

Trixie grinned at her boyfriend. “Of course.”

Tad studied the old device.  “This is pretty cool.  I always loved it when you’d be driving around in the country and all of a sudden you’d see a house with a giant antenna.  That’s how you knew that person had a ham radio.”

“I always thought they were called ‘ham radios’ because they were shaped like a ham. It was actually a derogatory term that was given to the amateur radio operators.”

Tad’s head snapped around and he looked at Trixie.  “What else do you know?”

Trixie paused for a minute.  “Let me think.  Hmmm...oh yeah, you have to be licensed.  And  at one time, operators had to know Morse Code before they could obtain a license.  I think that’s all!”

“I’m impressed. How do you  know all that?”

Trixie chuckled.  “I can ‘google’ like everybody else.”

“Nice, Belden.  These radios are clunky but sometimes during an emergency they’re the only way to communicate.”

Trixie sniffed.  “If the power’s out, I’ll just hunker down at home and enjoy the peace and quiet.”

“I don’t know.  I bet if the ham radio was the only way you could call Honey and Diana, you’d find a way to like it pretty quickly.”

“Maybe.  Maybe not.  But I personally prefer my nice little cell phone.”  She patted her back pocket.  “I’m getting hungry.”

“Me too.  Shall we?” Tad held his arm out to Trixie.

“Yes, we shall,” answered Trixie, smiling.

Trixie and Tad stepped through the doorway and paused.   The rustic decor that was softly lit by recessed lighting and flickering candles created a relaxing ambiance.  A large round table had been set and the rest of the group, plus Imogene, was already seated around it.  Tad held out a chair for Trixie, then sat down next to her.

“Okay, everybody.  This is a practice run as well as a taste-testing party.  We won’t get to select from the menu, but all the dishes on the menu will be brought to the table. Ideally, we’ll all get to taste a little bit of everything.”  Imogene stroked the rhinestone choker around her neck while she talked.  “And we’ll also be sampling some of the wines that I have procured for the restaurant.”

“Oh, yum.  I hope you got the one I suggested,” said Trixie.

“Well, of course I did.  You have excellent taste, my dear.”

Mart choked on the sip of water he had taken.  “Excuse me,” he gasped.

Trixie glared at her brother before turning her attention back to Imogene. “Have you finalized the opening date?”

“Well, I’m hoping for an opening in two weeks. I prefer to open the restaurant on a Monday so we have a full week to work out any quirks before the weekend crowd shows up.  What do you think?”

“I think that sounds great.  Do you have all the advertising set up?”

“Yes, I do.  If this meal goes as well as I think, then I will set everything in motion.  I’ve even hired additional help for the shop.”

“You did?” Trixie was surprised. “How did I miss that?”

“Oh, I did that the afternoon you were fussing with that display of collectible horses.”

Trixie’s face lit up.  “They’re so neat.  Can you believe some of them are over 100 years old?”

“They are gorgeous,” agreed Imogene.  “But you were quite insistent that the stable and set-up around them be immaculate.”  She shook her head.  “I can’t imagine why you think a stable needs to be so clean.  Anyway, I realized  you and I can’t possibly handle the load that I anticipate will come our way.  In fact, I was hoping you could begin training the two new employees next week.”

“Okay.  I’ll get them up and running.  Ooh, Imogene.  I can’t wait.” Trixie’s eyes shined in the candlelight.

“There’s just one problem,” cautioned Imogene.

“What?”

“I still don’t know what to call the new restaurant.”

Trixie turned to her brother.“Oh, I guess we’ll have to think about that too.  Mart, you’re always full of ideas.  Do you have any thoughts regarding a name for the restaurant?”

“Nope, at least not yet.  But I will channel my intellectual and creative processes toward that particular goal.”

"Okay, just make sure that any name you come up with is easily recognizable by a majority of the local population and is also pronounceable,” responded Trixie with a sly wink.

Tad grinned as Mart sputtered at his sister’s response.  Before anybody could say anything else,  Ian,  chef and friend of Trixie and Tad, carried a loaded tray out of the kitchen.  Behind him, two servers did the same.  After setting the trays down, the three began unloading hot, fragrant dishes onto the table.  

“I think I’m in Heaven,” announced Mart as he watched the china serving bowls amassing in front of him.  

“Do we follow any order or just eat what we want?” asked Tad.

“Ian?” questioned Imogene.

Ian grabbed a stack of papers from a nearby table. “As you can see, I’ve labeled each entree.  So, you can eat whatever you want, as long as you keep track of what you’re eating. These are the review forms.  Fill them out with as much detail as you can.  And don’t omit anything.  If you think a dish could have a better presentation, then let me know.  If you think there is too much or too little of something, indicate that in your notes. I did choose the wines that I thought would go with the dishes and, of course, Trixie’s favorite.”  Ian winked at Trixie.  “So guys, have at it!”

Ian and the servers left as the clattering of dishes filled the room.    Comments and thoughts flew around the table as the group dug into the delicious food.  Imogene laughed as stories from Trixie’s past were shared while they ate.  

“Oh my,” the woman said, “Growing up with Trixie must have been so much fun.  I wish I’d known her when she was younger.”  

Trixie scowled at her friends.  “Are we done with the latest version of  This is Your Life, because I am not amused.”

“But, Trixie,” Imogene argued.  “I can’t believe you thought Tad was a goon.  Were you blind when you were younger?”

Trixie shrugged.  “All I can say is I would like some more of that flatbread, please.”  She ignored the laughter around her as she took another helping of a delicious entree.

The conversation continued as Trixie, Honey and Diana caught up with each other and discussed their future plans.  

“I’m not sure what I’m doing over the summer,” said Honey, “but I do know that after this delicious meal I have to go back to the Manor House.  My mother is desperate for us to spend time together tonight.  I guess she missed me. Oh well,” she shrugged, “we girls can have a real heart-to-heart another day.”

Trixie and Diana, their mouths full of food, nodded in agreement with Honey’s suggestion.

When their plates were empty, Imogene cleared her throat.  

“Okay,” she said,  “now comes the hard part.  Ian!”

Ian quickly responded to Imogene’s call.  “Everybody done?” he asked.

“Yes. We’re ready to get to work on our reviews.”

Ian called for the two servers and the three quickly cleared the table.  Ian refilled everybody’s water glass,  then he and his staff retreated to the kitchen while the diners got down to work.

A few minutes later, Ian and the servers returned to the dining area. “Uh, Imogene,  I know we should stay out while you guys are filling out the reviews, but that kitchen is so hot.  Do you mind if we sit out here for a few minutes?”

Imogene looked up, concerned.  “Why is the kitchen hot? I made sure that the contractor had that room sufficiently ventilated.”

Ian wiped his face with his sleeve.  “But those big fans are going totally haywire.  If they turn at all, they are turning in reverse, which does us no good.  I’ve propped the door open just to get some fresh air in there.”

“Well, we’ll have to fix that immediately.  If you can’t stand the heat, you’ll stay out of the kitchen.”

Trixie giggled, then laughed as the rest of the group joined her, delighting in Imogene’s unintentional joke.  

“You three should join us.    After all, we can talk and write at the same time, right group?”  asked Imogene.

Chairs were shifted and Ian and the servers sat down, grabbing additional glasses of water for themselves.  

“Anybody have any questions?” asked Ian as he watched the group scribbling their thoughts.

“Yes. What was on the flatbread that was so delicious?” asked Trixie.

“There were three flatbreads, Trixie.  Which one are you talking about?”

“It had lettuce on it.”

“Ah, yes.  That flatbread was covered with a green called arugula.  It also had pears and  gorgonzola cheese on it.”

“Well, that was delicious even though I don’t know what gorgonzola cheese is.”

Tad leaned over and whispered into Trixie’s ear, causing her to smile.  “Oh, that’s gorgonzola cheese.”

“What?  What did you eat with gorgonzola cheese, or should I not ask?” questioned Mart suspiciously.

Tad laughed.  “Mart.  Stop being an obnoxious big brother.  I shared some with her once.”  Tad winked at Trixie, then continued making notes about the food.  

“I didn’t know you even liked gorgonzola cheese,” pushed Mart.

Trixie shrugged.  “Me neither.  I guess under the right circumstances, some things taste pretty good.”

“Like what?” asked Mart, eyeing his sister and Tad.  He felt Diana nudge him in his ribs.  

“What?” he asked, turning to face his girlfriend.

“Drop it!” Diana whispered. “Nobody cares!”

Mart acquiesced to Diana’s wishes and the chatter around the table continued, with the participants sharing their opinions and perceptions of the food they had eaten.  Finally, the evening concluded and Ian gathered up the papers and hustled back to the kitchen with his crew in tow.   As Trixie pushed back her chair, she was startled by Ian’s shouting.

“Oh, no!  I can’t believe this.  Get your furry butt out!”

Trixie and the others ran to the kitchen and stopped at the doorway.  She looked at Ian then followed his gaze to the counter that was covered with clean, white plates.  

“What’s wrong?” asked Trixie.  “Everything looks fine to me.”

“Look again,” directed Ian, pointing to the floor.

Trixie followed Ian’s directive and saw a small dog cowering on the floor near the base of the  industrial sized cabinets.

“Oh, what a cute little dog.  Is he yours?” asked Honey who was peering over Trixie’s shoulder.

“That cute little dog just cleaned up all the dishes for us,” explained Ian in a huff.  “Talk about an uninvited guest!”

Silence filled the hot kitchen as the group stood and looked at the glistening dishes and the little dog.  Trixie started to giggle, then stopped.  But the giggles erupted again and soon she was laughing so hard that it took several seconds before she could speak.  

“I needed a dog like that when I was younger.  Then the task of doing the dishes would have been so much easier,” she gasped.

Tad and Imogene looked at each other and they too began to laugh.  Soon the whole group was laughing, even Ian.  They all helped gather up the dishes and placed them in the large sink.

“I guess the little guy came in the back door and helped himself.  I wonder if you should give him a review sheet to fill out?” joked Trixie.  “Let me help you clean up, Ian.” She stepped into the hot room and started filling the sink with water.  

“Sorry, Trixie.  But the crew and I  have to do all the clean up,  although scraping the dishes is already done.  I really appreciate your input tonight.”

Trixie happily abandoned the dishes and left the kitchen with Tad following her.  Mart, Diana, and Honey had already gone into the antique shop and were waiting for Imogene or Trixie to unlock the door so they could leave.  After letting her friends out, Trixie wishing Imogene good night then she and Tad left through the back door where Trixie’s car was parked.

In the darkness of the car, Trixie and Tad watched Ian carry the dog to the alley and place him gently on the ground.  

“What do you think?” asked Tad.

“About what?”

“The meal, the restaurant, the dog, your brother and his dislike of you and I dating.”

“Hmmm... fabulous, great,  cute, annoying, and I don’t care.  How’s that?”  Trixie grinned.

Tad nodded appreciatively.  “I like your direct answers.  Let’s say you and I go back to my place for while.”

Trixie frowned.  “Won’t Spider be there?”

“Nope, at least I hope not.  He had a date tonight so we should have the place to ourselves.”

“Then let’s go. We can drive around front and I’ll tell Mart our plans.”

Tad’s eyes widened.  “You’re kidding, right?”

“Yep,” grinned Trixie.

After starting her small car, Trixie maneuvered it out of the alley behind the antique store and the two drove off into the quiet evening.