A 15th Jixanny CWP Story

Part III

With the opening of the restaurant a few days away, activity in both establishments increased.  Trixie had trained two high school girls, while Ian instructed a small crew of servers.  Trixie felt the excitement growing as she worked around the shop.  After a particularly busy morning, she went in search of Imogene.

“Where is she?” Trixie muttered to herself as she glanced in the back room.  Seeing that nobody was in there, she wandered back through the aisles.  “Ah ha!” she exclaimed, noticing  that the tarp that separated the restaurant from the antique store had been shoved aside.  Passing through the doorway, Trixie found Imogene sitting at a small table in the corner, her fingers wrapped around a hot cup of tea.

“Here you are,” said Trixie crossing the room.  “ What are you doing?”

Imogene gently placed the cup on the table, then sighed.  “Oh, my dear,  I seem to have everything under control.  We’ve got some great new stock with fabulous displays and the new help is catching on quickly.  Ian and his team are ready to go. We’ve even managed to add two beers to the menu.  Everything is set except for the name.”

“Nothing yet?” Trixie pulled out a chair and sat down.

Imogene shook her head.  “No.  I just thought I would come in here and hide away from the world in hopes that some brilliant idea would spark in my mind.”

Trixie stared at Imogene, her eyes widening in excitement.  “That’s it!”

“What are you talking about, dear?  What’s it?”

“The name of this restaurant.”

“You think we should call it ‘that’s it’?”

Trixie shook her head, her curls bouncing and her eyes sparkling.  “No.  You should call this place ‘Ingram’s Hideaway’.  Look around you.  It’s relaxing and comfortable and the perfect place to go when you want to take a break from the rest of the world.”

“Ingram’s Hideaway?” Imogene repeated the name several times.  She pondered it as she assessed the room.  Trixie watched, trying to figure out what was running through her boss’s mind.

“Well?”she asked impatiently,  “do you like it?”

Imogene nodded slowly, the ever present rhinestone necklace catching and reflecting the light, causing small orbs to bounce haphazardly around the room. “You know, Trixie, I think you may have hit upon something.  Yes, I like the name and it definitely works with my shop.  Yes!” Imogene jumped up from the table and gave Trixie a hug.  “My dear, you must call your brother and have him come in here now, if possible.”

“Whaa…?” Trixie’s voice trailed off. “Call my brother?”

“Yes. Your brother can put the finishing touches on the menu.”

“Huh?” Trixie stood still, her mind muddled.

Imogene pushed past Trixie and went into the antique store, talking the entire time about the final stage of the preparations.  She stopped abruptly, causing Trixie, who was following behind, to bump into her.  “Oh,” said Imogene.  “There you are.  Have you called your brother yet?”

“But why?” sputtered Trixie.

“I just need him to write a few paragraphs about the history of the area.  Since talking with him the other day, I recognize his unique talent. I want Mart’s writings placed in the front of the menu so our patrons can familiarize themselves with Sleepyside’s unique past.”

“Wait! When did you talk with Mart?”  

“What?  Oh, never mind, dear.  Just give me his number. I’ve seen the way you  siblings work and if you call him, you two might end up arguing the rest of the day away.  Yes, it will be better if I call him.  What’s his number.  I haven’t put it into my phone yet.”

Trixie rattled off Mart’s number.  She stood at Imogene’s elbow as the woman placed the call.  

“Hello, Mart.  This is Imogene Ingram.  I’m wondering if you’d be interested in doing me a huge favor?”

Trixie shifted impatiently as she waited for Imogene to continue her end of  the conversation.

 “Yes.  That would be great.”  Imogene ended the call then turned to Trixie.  “Your brother’s on his way.  I need to get the computer from the back room.  As I recall, Mart has an extreme fondness for food.  I think I’ll set him up at a table in the restaurant and let him do his thing.”

Imogene hustled to the back room while Trixie stood still, trying to process the changes that had occurred within the last few minutes.  

A half hour later, Mart breezed into the antique shop, grinning broadly.  “Hello there, younger female sibling.  Where’s Imogene?”

Trixie faced her brother.  “Why does she keep calling you?  You don’t work here.”

“No.  But Imogene is smart enough to recognize talent when she sees it.  Ergo, I’m here to do what I do best.”

“You’re going to annoy everybody?” Trixie angrily pushed her hair off her forehead.

Mart laughed.  “Do I annoy you, Trixie?  Imagine that!”

“Trixie,” called out Imogene, “would you please show Mart the table I set for him in the restaurant.”

“Okay” answered Trixie.  Scowling, she led her brother to the designated table.  “Imogene laid everything out for you.  Here’s the computer, a snack,  and a drink.  She’ll be joining you in a minute.”  Trixie folded her arms across her chest, her foot tapping loudly on the floor.

Mart sat down. “Do you need something, Trixie?  I’m sure you have other tasks waiting for your attention.”

“Mart, I don’t know why you’re here, but you’re not in charge. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

“Suit yourself.  But I noticed a delivery truck pulling into the alley as I was parking my car, so I assume you’ll have some work to do.”  

Before Trixie could reply, she heard Imogene calling for her.  Turning, she stomped out of the restaurant, muttering to herself as she went.

A half hour later, Trixie found Imogene and her brother sitting side by side in the newly named restaurant, the laptop computer open in front of them,  reviewing what Mart had written.  Trixie watched Imogene’s head bob up and down in approval as she read. When she was done, Imogene looked at Mart and smiled, clearly pleased by what he had produced. Trixie walked over to where the two sat.

“Well,” she demanded,  “why did Imogene want you here?”

“See for yourself,” said Imogene, turning the computer around.  Trixie sat down and quickly read the two paragraphs that told the history of the area.  The writing flowed smoothly and  included many historical facts.

When she was done, Trixie looked up at Imogene.  “Is this what you had in mind?”

Imogene nodded.    

Trixie re-read what her brother had written.  “This is good, Mart.  I think the guests will enjoy reading it.”

Surprised at the uncharacteristic compliment, Mart smiled at his sister.

“Now, I need to get this over to the printers and then put the new pages into the menu covers.  By the way, Mart, your sister came up with a clever name for the restaurant,” said Imogene.

Mart, surprised, asked, “What’s the name, Trixie?”

“Ingram’s Hideaway,” she announced proudly.

“Hmmm…”  Mart stared at his sister, then spun the computer around and typed rapidly.

“There, what do you think?” he asked, as he showed Imogene what he had written.

Trixie leaned over Imogene’s shoulder and read the brief paragraph Mart had added.  In it, he  described how the revolutionary soldiers  often sought out secluded places or hideaways in order to regroup and recover.  Mart paired that concept with the suggestion that the local traveler could find the same respite from the stresses of life at Ingrams’ Hideaway.

“That’s good, Mart.  But how did you know all this?” asked Trixie.

“That’s easy.  I spent a lot of time teaching local history last year.  It’s surprising how much is right in front of us yet we don’t recognize it.”   Mart pulled the computer away from Imogene and Trixie and quickly edited his writing.  “There!” he said.

Imogene read the revised copy and smiled.  “This is perfect.  I’m so glad I called on you to do this.  Are you ready to be paid?”

Mart smiled and licked his lips.  “Bring it on, Imogene.”  

Trixie stepped back and watched as Imogene hustled into the kitchen, then returned with a tray full of various small dishes.  

Mart rubbed his hands together.  “This is the best payment I’ve ever received, Imogene.  I think I’ll enjoy working with you.”

Trixie’s head snapped around.  “Whaaaat?”

Mart looked up at his sister.  “Oops!  I shouldn’t have said that. Right, Imogene?”

Imogene laughed and patted her hair.  “Oh my.  Working with  two Beldens is going to be so much fun.”

Trixie  looked at the two.  “What’s going on here?” she demanded.  “Mart, you have no interest in working here, do you?”

“Natch.  But Imogene and I are thinking about another little venture together.”

 “Another venture? Like what?”

“Tut! Tut, little sister.  You’ll just have to wait to find out.  Now, I’m going to eat this delicious fare in the the quiet solitude of the hideaway.”

Trixie watched as Mart began to shovel food into his mouth. Seeing that he was not going to offer any additional information, she returned to the antique shop, muttering all the way about difficult brothers while trying to figure out what could be going on between Mart and Imogene.

***********************

The night before the opening of the restaurant, Trixie, Imogene and Ian stood surveying the dining room.

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

“I think it’s perfect,” answered Trixie.  “What do you think, Ian?”

“I think we’re all set, as long as that stupid mutt stays away.  Sheesh!”

“Maybe it’s gone back to its owner.  I haven’t seen it for a few days.”

“One can always hope,” said Ian.

 Imogene clapped her hands together as she faced her two employees.“Do you know what I think we need to do?”

“No, what?” replied Ian.

“I think we should officially christen the restaurant.  You know, have a toast, share some food and give ourselves a little treat.”

“Do you want to do that now?” asked Trixie.  

 “Yes, I do.  Call Tad and see if he can come over.  I’m going to call Mart.”

Trixie’s phone was out of her pocket, but she stopped suddenly.  “Mart?  Why?”

“Because he’s such an important part of this,” answered Imogene.

“How?  He just wrote a few paragraphs.  I don’t get it.”

“Don’t fret, dear.  It will all become a bit clearer in the future.  But for now,  just call Tad.”

Shaking her head, Trixie entered Tad’s number and waited for him to pick up.

“Hey,” said Tad.

“Hey, yourself.  Imogene wants to know if you’re available to come over here and help her christen the restaurant?”

“Well, I’m pretty sure I can slip out early.  I can get there in about thirty minutes.  Does that work for you guys?”

“Yeah, that should be fine.  And, listen to this, she’s also inviting Mart. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

“Hmmm...so the plot thickens.  Sounds like you got yourself a mystery, Belden.”

“Yes, I do.” Trixie fell silent.

“Trixie, you still there?”

“Oh, yeh. Just thinking.”

“Okay, I’ll finish up here and then head over.”

“Perfect!  See you in a bit.”

Trixie slid her phone back in her pocket and went to find Imogene.  “Tad can be here in about thirty minutes. Is that okay?”  

“That’s fine.  Ian’s going to whip up some appetizers.”

Trixie paused, then turned toward Imogene.  “Is Mart going to work here?” she blurted out.

“Mart work here?  In our the antique shop?”

Trixie, her eyes worried, nodded.

“Oh my!  No.  Mart is not going to work here.”

Trixie breathed a big sigh of relief.  “Then why does he keep hinting at that?”

Imogene stepped close to Trixie. “I think he knows how to get your goat.  Yes?”

Trixie thought for a moment.  “Yes.  But you and he are concocting something, aren’t you?”

Imogene smiled.  “Yes, but it will not impact you or this shop one bit. “ She gently patted Trixie’s shoulder.  “Nor will he replace you as my favorite Belden.”

“Okay.  It’s just…” Trixie chewed her lower lip, uncomfortable with her impulsive outburst.

“I know.  This is your little niche, a place where you’ve found yourself and you don’t want your brother hanging around and dampening your spirits.”

Trixie nodded slowly.

“Don’t worry about it.  I know better than to tamper with success. And you and I and this shop are a success. Now, you get the closing done while I finish getting things set for our little soiree.  Then we can have a delightful time. And Trixie,” Imogene pulled Trixie’s chin up so she could look directly into her eyes, “no matter what your brother says, he is not going to work here. Ever!”

Trixie, her spirits buoyed by her little chat with Imogene, went to the front counter, closed down the computer and prepared the bank deposit for the day.  When Tad arrived, she was ready to join him and the others in the small celebratory rite.

************

With a trio of candles flickering in the center of the table, Imogene, Ian, Tad, Trixie and Mart gathered around.  There were several appetizers placed around the candles as well as a bottle of champagne.  

“Please, sit,” said Imogene graciously.

“This looks delectable.”  Mart rubbed his hands in anticipation of the treats in front of him as the others pulled in their chairs.

Imogene tapped her spoon against her champagne flute and silence filled the room.

“First of all, I want to thank you all for joining me on such short notice.  This restaurant was something I never planned on, but it basically fell into my lap and I know better than to ignore a good business opportunity.  I want to thank Ian for joining us in the venture.  His cooking will be quite a draw for the locals as well as the visitors to the area.  And Mart, I want to thank you for coming up with the history blurb for the menus.  Tad, your constant support has been invaluable for me.  And Trixie,” Imogene paused and looked at her young assistant, “you are the greatest treasure in this shop.”

Imogene indicated that Ian should open the champagne.  After filling everyone’s flutes, they  raised their glasses and looked expectantly at Imogene.

Imogene lifted her glass.  “I christen this new addition to Sleepyside, ‘Ingrams’s Hideaway.’ May she live long and prosper.”

They briefly joined their glasses together.  Before Trixie could sip her champagne, she started to giggle.  Tad caught her eye and began to snicker quietly.  Finally the entire table burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?”asked a bewildered Imogene.

“Oh, Imogene.  Your toast was priceless.  ‘Live long and prosper’, is a line Spock often says on Star Trek. I’ve never heard it used in connection to the opening of a restaurant,” said Trixie.

Imogene shrugged, then lifted her glass to her lips.  “Sounded good to me,” she murmured, taking a sip.

“I thought your toast showed a remarkable ability to merge pop culture and vintage episodic television with our current universe.”

Imogene lowered her glass and stared at Mart. “‘Beg your pardon?”

“I said that your toast showed a remarkable ability…”

“We know.  Don’t bother repeating it,” interrupted Trixie who turned to Imogene.  “I must apologize for my brother.  See, when he was young he ate a dictionary and has been burping up odd words ever since.”

“Excuse me?” Imogene’s confusion registered on her face.  

Trixie giggled.  “Or at least that was always the theory.”

“I see.”  Imogene quickly took another sip of champagne.  “I do know he loves his words.”

“Imogene, please overlook my sister’s attempt at humor.  She’s been saying that line for years because she believes it fits within the scope of jocularity.”

“‘Scope of jocularity?” Imogene stared at Mart in disbelief.

“See what I mean, Imogene.  That’s just another burp of odd word combinations,” said Trixie, winking at her friend.

“Oh, yes.  It’s so obvious now.” Imogene took another sip of her champagne. “But I hope he doesn’t make a mess on his shirt with all those words spewing out of his mouth.”

Mart was briefly stunned, then saw Imogene’s and Trixie’s lips twitching.  He looked at Ian and Tad and saw that they, too, were smiling.  “Fine, I give up,” he said. Mart sipped his champagne.  “Mmmm, this is good.  Now let’s indulge our salivating palates and dig in.”

Laughter erupted around the table as the celebrants passed their plates and filled them with the tantalizing munchies that Ian had prepared.  When they had eaten, Tad and Mart helped Ian carry them into the kitchen.  Left alone in the dim dining room, Imogene looked around and sighed.

“Anything wrong, Imogene?” asked Trixie.

“No, dear.  Everything’s perfect. I couldn’t have imagined it any better.”

“Good.”  Trixie smiled at her friend.

Imogene leaned forward.  “Can I ask you something, dear?”

“Sure.”

“Do you think we can trust Mart and Tad in the kitchen together?”

Trixie sat back in her chair and grinned.  “Let me think about that.  Hmm.. Mart will be trying to salvage any leftovers that he can, Tad will be trying to turn the dish washing into some kind of baseball game, and Ian will be so annoyed with the two of them that he’ll be hoping the stray dog will make another helpful appearance.”

“That’s pretty much what I was thinking too. So,  what are you and Tad up to next?”

With the background noise of clattering dishes and male voices from the kitchen, Imogene relaxed and listened as Trixie outlined the plans she and Tad had for the next few weeks.

“And, of course, there’s always our Sunday afternoon soccer game,” Trixie continued.  “I’m so glad Tad got me into the game.  We have so much fun playing it.”

Imogene patted Trixie’s hand.  “That’s the most important thing; to have a lot of fun with whoever you’re with.”

Standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room, Tad and Mart heard the quiet conversation between the two women.  

“She’s happy with you,” said Mart quietly.

“Did you just figure that out?” asked Tad.

Mart shrugged.

“Hey,”  Tad turned toward Trixie’s brother,  “what’s the deal with you and Imogene.  It’s driving Trixie crazy.”

“Is it? That can’t be much fun for you.”

Tad rolled his eyes.  “So, are you going to tell me?”

Mart chuckled.  “And take away Trixie’s chance to investigate this so-called ‘mystery’?”

Tad stared at Mart, his eyes narrowing.

Mart held up his hands and grinned.  “Fine! Imogene and I are drawing up plans for a gardening center in the old  nursery at the edge of town.  Basically, it’ll be like the antique shop, except with plants and flowers.”

“How did this come about?”

“I was hanging around the shop one day and Imogene asked me what I was going to do now that I was back home.  I told her I had decided to devote myself to my passion of gardening and landscaping. Then,  Bam!  The next thing I knew we were looking at the old nursery and making plans.  That woman’s business instincts are sharp, that’s for sure.”

“Bam?  That’s a pretty big word, Mart. How did you two finagle this without Trixie knowing?”

Mart rolled his eyes.  “Really?  You’re asking that question?  Do you not realize how much time you two spend together?”

Tad’s lips twitched.  “Oh, yeh.   But seriously, I have to hand it to you.  This new endeavor sounds like a good fit for both you and Imogene.  Congratulations on having the courage to strike out and do what you really want to do.”

“Thanks, Tad.” Surprise registered on Mart’s face.  “Are you going to tell Trixie?”

“Do I dare not tell her?”

“No,” said Mart, shaking his head sadly.   “For I know how her vengeful mind works.”  

Tad slapped Mart on the back, then the two walked over to the table.  Trixie looked up and studied her brother and boyfriend.

“You know!” she pointed to Tad.  “You know Mart’s mystery.”

“How does she do that?” Tad asked, looking at Mart.

Mart shrugged.  “That’s something that has eluded a majority of the population for years.  All I can say is be prepared to live with ‘mystery-itus’.”

Tad stared at Mart for a second, then held out his hand to Trixie.  “Come on, let’s get going.”

Trixie remained seated.  “Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

“Trixie, it’s not mine to tell.”

“Don’t mess with me, Webster.  I have ways to make you talk and, as I recall, you cave pretty quickly under my skillful interrogation techniques.”

Mart clapped his hands over his ears.  “And, with that, I’m gone. See you guys later.”

“And I’m going home too.”  Imogene stood up.  “Tomorrow’s a big day. I’ll lock up and Tad, hold out as long as you can before you tell her.”

“Night, Imogene,” said Trixie.  Turning her attention back to Tad, she hit him with a lethal glare,  her arms folded across her body.  “Well, aren’t you going to tell me?”

“What? And miss your special technique?  No way, Belden.  You’ll have to get it out of me.”

“Fine.  Let’s go. You’ll be mine in three seconds.”

“You think it will take that long?” grinned Tad.

“Nope, not really.”

Dragging Tad behind her, Trixie went into the backroom of the antique shop and quickly punched in the security code.  Once outside the back door, she gave Tad a long, deep kiss.  When she pulled back, Tad shook his head.

“Okay, I give up.  Here’s the deal.”

“Two seconds, Webster.  Impressive.”

“Two seconds!  That kiss lasted a lot longer than two seconds.”

Trixie grinned.  “Yes, but I felt you surrender after two, no, make that one and a half seconds.”

Hopping into the car, Trixie listened as Tad outlined what he had learned about the future business venture for Mart and Imogene.  Trixie listened attentively, her head nodding in approval when she recognized the perfect fit for both.

*****

“So, bowling and pizza with Honey and Ian.  That should be fun.”  Trixie was curled up on the couch with Tad, watching a movie.  “How many times do you think they’ve gone out?”

“How should I know?  Don’t you talk to her everyday?”

Trixie shifted slightly, adjusting her head on Tad’s shoulder.  “Actually, I don’t. Her mother’s been keeping her pretty busy.   And my hands are pretty full with the shop and you.”  She lifted her head and kissed Tad.  

“Hmm.... I like the sound of that.”  Tad lowered Trixie on the couch and ran his lips up her neck.  

Trixie giggled.  “Yeh, I like that too.”

“You do know we have to leave in about five minutes, right?”

“Yes.” Trixie exhaled loudly.  “But later,  can we pick up where we left off?”

“Do you even have to ask, Belden?”

*****

Tad, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel and Trixie, fidgeting in the seat next to him, watched as Ian made his way to the big front door of the Manor House.  They saw him ring the doorbell then step back in anticipation of Honey opening the door. Suddenly, they saw him jump back several feet, his arms waving through the air.

“What’s that?” Ian’s agitated voice carried across the driveway.

Trixie and Tad looked at each other.  

“What do you think is going on?” asked Tad.

Trixie slowly shook her head.  “I have no idea.  I think we should check it out.” Without waiting for Tad, Trixie grabbed the door handle.  

“Wait!  Look!” Trixie let go of the door handle, her eyes following in the direction Tad was pointing.

“Gleeps and double gleeps!” she said as she watched the lost puppy  from the restaurant dance around Ian’s feet.  

“You can say that again.  How did that happen?” asked Tad.

“Heck if I know.  I thought that little dog had disappeared.  Apparently, Honey is getting really good at keeping secrets.”

Trixie and Tad watched as Honey scooped up the puppy and cuddled it, holding it toward Ian. They laughed when they saw Ian again back away, his hands up.  After a few minutes, Honey disappeared with the puppy, then came out of the Manor House and took Ian’s arm.  The two strolled to the car and got in the back seat.

“So,” said Trixie, turning around so she could see Honey.  “Anything new?”

Honey smiled at her friend.  “Did I forget to tell you about Tiny?”

“Just a bit, Honey.  What gives?” Trixie tried to look annoyed as she waited for her friend’s explanation.

“Well, yesterday, when I was in town, I saw the little gal running through the park.  She is a girl, by the way.  I managed to catch her.  And, since she doesn’t seem to have a home, I brought her to mine.  End of story.”

Trixie looked at Honey, then at Ian.  “I take it you didn’t know about this?”she said to the young man.

Ian rolled his eyes.  “I think the answer is pretty clear.”

“Why did you name her Tiny?” asked Trixie.

“That’s easy.”  Honey smiled shyly at Ian.  “It’s short for ‘tiny tarts’.”

Trixie turned back in her seat, pursing her lips and glancing sideways at Tad.  Neither said a word as they struggled to contain their laughter.  

“Trixie,” called Honey from the backseat.  “Don’t you like the dog? I love her and she reminds me of Bud”  Honey turned to Ian.  “Bud was a dog I had when I was younger.  I gave him away to a little girl who became quite attached to him.”

Ian gazed at Honey.  “That was very nice of you.”

In the front seat, Trixie choked out, “Tiny’s adorable!”

“Then what’s wrong?” asked a puzzled Honey.

Unable to control herself any longer, Trixie exploded.  “Tiny!  You named your dog after a dessert she spilled all over the kitchen floor of the restaurant.”

Tad and Trixie laughed together.

“I thought it was kinda cute,” said Honey defensively.  “What do you think, Ian?”

Surprised at the question, Ian looked at Honey’s puzzled and hurt face.  He hesitated slightly, then took her hand.  “I think it’s finely fine.”

“Finely fine?”  Honey broke into a beaming smile.  “Oh, you mean perfectly perfect.”    

“Yeh, that,” said Ian.

In the front seat, Trixie and Tad burst into another round of laughter.  After a few seconds, Ian and Honey joined in.

Gasping, Trixie wiped the tears that gathered in her eyes.  “I don’t care what name you chose, as long as it didn’t take you weeks to come up with it. I don’t think I could go through that again so soon.  Right, Thadeus?” Trixie grinned teasingly at her boyfriend.

Tad smiled and reached for Trixie’s hand.  “Right, Beatrix.”

Ian clicked his seatbelt. “And now on to bowling.”

Trixie held up her finger.  “Strike that.”

Beside her, Tad rolled his eyes at Trixie’s attempted joke. “Spare me your humor, Belden.” He leaned over and gave Trixie a light kiss.

“I know that look in your eyes,” giggled Trixie.  “Keep your mind out of the gutter, buster.’

“Folks,” cried Ian from the back street.  “Can we just go get some pizza before Honey and I get sick from all your bad jokes?”

“On to pizza.  Hope we don’t have to park in the alley.”   Trixie quipped as Tad drove down the driveway of the Manor House, the night promising fun and adventure for all of them.