Sagehen Mesa Part 13 - News from Hannah

Hello all. This is Hannah Baum speaking. I'm better known as Josie's granddaughter or Winston and Lucile's daughter. Some might consider me a flibbertigibbet, because I can't seem to settle on a career or find a romantic partner I'm willing to stick with. I guess I'm just not sure what I want in life yet. I've got time, don't I? I'm not even 30 yet.

Well-meaning people claim I never finish what I start, but they're wrong. I finished restoring Grandpa's classic car, didn't I? And I think I did a pretty good job.

Speaking of jobs, I'm actually liking my current job, at least more than my previous ones. Everyone has told me all my life that I'm a nurturing sort, and should work with kids. Well, I've been both a teacher and a kid's sports coach, and I can tell you those jobs are a lot harder than they appear to those who have never worked those jobs. I admire those who do those jobs, because the youth need good mentors, but I'm just not it.

I'm a firefighter now. Well, I work at the fire station as a firefighter. There just haven't been any fires since I've been there. There was one false alarm and that's all.

I spend my workdays doing maintenance on the fire alarms and fire truck, and getting to know my co-workers. We often meet for breakfast at the pub that's attached to the fire house.

"So, do you think we'll finally have a fire to put out today?"

"If so, I hope not before breakfast; I'm starving!"

"Four breakfast calzones coming right up!"

"Well don't just sit there boys. I fixed the food, but I'm not your waitress. Get up and get them yourselves. Hayley Capp, you're living up to your name. What's with the winter hat? Are you cold? It's not winter yet."

"Oh! I forgot I had it on!" Hayley said, "No wonder I was feeling a little warm."

Arturo is finally getting with the program. Shan still seems to think I should bring his calzone to him. Men!

I admit that Arturo is a good-looking man, but there's something about his personality I find off-putting. am I just too picky?

Arturo and I have become good friends, but there's just not that romantic spark.

Steve Stumper used to work with us, and I thought there might be a possibility of romance with him, so I asked him out . . .

. . . only to learn that he gave up his job at the firehouse to become one of those annoying mimes! So . . . never mind.

There was another woman firefighter when I first started named Danica Haywood. She quit too. I wonder where she is now. There seems to be a lot of turnover at the firehouse. Maybe people just get bored due to no fires.

I still keep up with my old friend Anton. He and Tess seem quite happy, so I'm happy for them.

Anton is considering buying a new car, so I told him about how I restored Grandpa's old car.

Tess was looking a little like death warmed over, but Anton explained it was because she had been up late finishing a sculpture for a client. (I didn't actually SAY she looked like death warmed over to her face because that would have been rude, and Gran would have tanned my hide, but I hinted that she looked a bit tired and asked if she was okay.)

I told them about my not-so-exciting life as a firefighter.

Anyway, that's a peek into my day-to-day activities. Gran is clearly living a more exciting life than I am. She recently went to Monte Vista with Mom and Dad, and met a guy there named Luis who's crazy about her.

I told Gran she should invite him over for a visit. She said she was considering it. In the meantime, she still hangs out with old Ben Culpepper. She sees him as a fishing buddy, but he still sees her as something more.

She always has to remind him that she just wants to be friends. She says she's seeing someone else, but I don't think Ben believes her.

*****

It's been a few weeks, and I finally convinced Gran to invite Luis for a visit. He seems like a nice enough man. I made plans to stay at the firehouse while Luis was in town to give them some privacy.

I was shocked to learn that when Gran's in a serious relationship, she's all in!

Apparently Luis was more than happy to say goodbye to his native land and live in Gran's world.

He canceled his flight home, and he and Gran sat down to plan out a modest wedding at the church.

I admit, they make a cute couple. They had a small celebration inviting mostly family, a few of the church members, and the Culpepper brothers, though in retrospect, inviting the Culpeppers might not have been the best idea. I think Gran wanted them to know once and for all where she stood with them - especially Ben.

Gran didn't invite him, but Mom's and Dad's butler seemed to assume he's part of the family and invited himself to the wedding. The dude was a blight on the ceremony, always getting into everyone's business and not minding his own. Ben Culpepper was having a difficult enough time as it was. I don't think he needed to be called out by the butler, and the butler didn't need to detract from the exchange of the rings!

After the ceremony, Gran apologized to Ben for the butler's rude behavior and assured him that the guy had crashed the party.

Some people get carried away seeing another couple make a commitment to each other. Get a room Anton and Tess!

At the cake cutting, old Ben was starting to show some agitation. I was hoping he wouldn't ruin Gran's special day. Luis quickly introduced himself to Gran's friends and neighbors.

Gran graciously explained to a party crasher how she and Luis met while Lucile enjoyed the cake.

For awhile, I thought Luis and Ben might come to blows; however, they made civil yet stiff introductions.

I was disappointed in Dad and Tess for trying to egg Ben on. The old coot doesn't need much encouragement to make a scene.

It was obvious that Ben was still feeling the sting of being "friend zoned" by Gran. As the crowd adjourned to the church to enjoy some music and socializing, Ben stayed behind. After a while I went out to check on him and found him playing a guitar and singing.

🎶Oh where, oh where are you tonight?

Why did you leave me here all alone?

I searched the world over and I thought I found true love.

You met another and thbbft😝, you were gone. 🎵

Meanwhile, Maria congratulated Luis and Chuck congratulated Josie.

However, from where I was standing, I get the feeling Chuck wasn't exactly thrilled with Luis.

The evening ended with the butler harassing Luis because he overheard Luis telling one of the guests that he had left a young love interest back in Monte Vista and had to send her a break-up text after accepting Josie's proposal.

Also, it goes to show how little this guy knows those he's heckling. This is Luis Toledo. Gran took his name and is now Josie Toledo. Why this idiot would think Luis would take my grandpa's surname is beyond me.

Gran and Luis are planning to honeymoon a few days in Sunset Valley. Gran said she'd been to the town about 30 years ago, and it was a charming little beach town. She's wondering what has changed and hopes it hasn't lost it's charm and identity over the past decades. She knows it now has a fancy resort, where they will be staying, and a nectary which they plan to visit.

This leads me to a dilemma: with Luis and Gran living together, it would be rather awkward and unsettling for me to live in that tiny cabin with them, so until I find a better solution, I guess I'll be moving in with my parents. And before anyone says it, this is NOT a failure to launch situation! I can take care of myself, thank you very much, but housing options are limited in town at the moment.

The downside is I have to live under that same roof as that obnoxious butler. On the upside, I have access to the hot tub any time I want.

*****

At the time I'm writing this, winter has arrived. I've notice from living here a few months that Mom doesn't seem that happy. I think she's frustrated with Dad constantly working and not spending much time with her. He's either in his lab working on potions, at the hospital putting in long hours on research and emergencies, . . .

. . . or home asleep.

Mom paid a visit to Dr. Ellen who told her that she needed to not hinge her happiness on another person. If she loved Dad and didn't want a divorce, she should find some activities that make her happy and give her life meaning rather than just being a doctor's wife. Mom took the advice to heart. She took up the guitar, and has gotten pretty good at it. She has also had a dream of being a horsewoman and competing in equestrian competitions, so she told Dad she wanted to tear down the old bike shelter that no one uses and put in a small stable and get a horse.