Sagehen Mesa - Part 8 - Gossip and the Intervention
Hi, it's Josie again.
I guess I created quite the commotion by spending some time with ol' Ben Culpepper. Some people are so nosey! They thought I was off my rocker!
In my own defense, Chuck had just gotten married and moved out to live with his new bride, and I heard Ben was not very polite to poor Kellee when she tried to help clean up his house for him. I figured I would step in and offer my help since he knew me better. After all it's the Christian thing to do. So I went over with a nice apple pie and offered to help him tidy up while I was there.
Ben has a gruff exterior, but I could tell he was feeling a little lonesome without Chuck there, so I suggested we go fishing at the pond together. We got to talking and reminiscing about old times, having some laughs over the fools we used to be, and a fondness for the old coot rekindled - just a bit, mind you. That fishing trip resulted in more fishing trips. I'm sure Ben was reading too much into our relationship, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings, and I admit I was enjoying the attentions of a man again.
The problem with a small town is everyone is always up in everyone else's business. Some looky-loo with loose lips started airing my business all over town and it got back to my family. So of course they had to stage an intervention. Lucile and Winston invited Hannah and me over for a family dinner and dropped the bomb.
"Gran, I'm really getting concerned with all the time you've been spending with Ben Culpepper. I know from experience what that man can be like, and I don't want you to fall into a toxic relationship." Hannah pleaded. "Please be firm with him and tell him you're only interested in his friendship. You ARE only interested in his friendship, aren't you? Rumors are flying around town that it's becoming more than that."
"I confess there might have been a peck on the cheek spotted by some nosey Nellie," I admitted, "but you're right. Deep down, I can't see Ben and me being more than just friends. I should nip this thing in the bud."
"It's going to be awkward around here after I tell him though."
"We realize that," said Winston. "However, I'm going to be traveling to Monte Vista for a medical conference, and I'm taking Lucile with me. We'd love to have you join us. Some change of scenery and some time away might help the town settle down or at least find another target for their gossip. There's some beautiful scenery and lovely museums to experience."
"You haven't been on a real vacation since Dad died," Lucile chimed in. "We could see the sights and hit the beaches. Please say you'll come."
"And don't worry about the cat and the garden, Gran, I'm staying back to take care of the homestead," Hannah assured me.
What could I do? I was outnumbered. Monte Vista, here I come!
But first I have to take care of that nasty business of talking to Ben. The next day, I asked him to meet me at the coffee shop. It's always good to do these things on neutral territory. Ben had obviously just come from the festival, and it didn't occur to him to gussy up before meeting me.
As soon as I broke the news, Anton burst in, "Hey Josie! I hear your going to become a world traveler! That's so exciting!"
I swear news spreads lightning-fast in the town! However, it did ease the tension, and Ben and I parted amicably.
Now I know I've been complaining about rumors, and I don't like to go 'round repeating gossip, so you'd better be sure to listen close the first time. 😉 While I was at the coffee shop, I overheard Hilary Roland telling someone that her husband was out riding their daughter's new horse and happened across what looked like an illegal buzzberry farm!
And a little later, this rumor was supported by one of the paparazzi saying she was there too and spoke to Reuben Roland about it. Now she's trying to enlist Anton to bring his camera and take some pictures of it to provide proof for law enforcement.
Then I heard it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Rueben himself confirmed that he DID find a buzzberry farm back in the hills, . . .
. . . ran into the paparazzi, who said buzzberry was often used to enhance athletic abilities in both people and horses, and she suspected that some of the local horsemen have been using it to dose their horses and give them an unfair edge in the equestrian competitions, . . .
. . . and now he and the paparazzi woman were trying to enlist a photographer to come take pictures.
Bobbi Faulkner, who claims to be a photographer, showed no interest in participating. I wonder why? It seems it would be right up her alley and be good press for her business.
I hope this all gets resolved by the time I get back from Monte Vista. It's bound to tarnish the town's reputation!
The next day we set off for Monte Vista. We stayed in a quaint little resort with nice views of the valley.
Once we settled in, we went into the old part of town to do some sight-seeing.
I admit, I was still a little concerned about the potential crimewave we were having at home, but Winston insisted we put that out of our minds and enjoy the trip.
I told Lucile I was going to go check out the library and a few of the surrounding shops and give her and Winston some alone time, as they hadn't seem much of each other lately and I didn't want to be the third wheel on this trip. I think they appreciated that.
While they were off on their little date, I browsed around and met some locals.
I asked one young man if the local restaurant was any good. He seemed to think it was overpriced, but I'm on vacation, so I think I'll splurge.
I met a handsome older gentleman named Luis Toledo. He set my heart aflutter. 😍
I explained to him that my son-in-law was here at a medical conference, and I was just tagging along.
I had just split up with my "boyfriend" and needed a change of scenery.
I pulled out my photos and bragged about Hannah and how she was taking care of things at home. I was hoping I wasn't putting the nice man off with all my jabberin'.
It apparently had the opposite effect. Am I falling into what they call a "whirlwind romance?"
Luis asked if he could buy me dinner, and I accepted. In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess.
We parted ways but vowed to meet up the next day, so he could show me around.
"I just met the nicest man!"
"Did you two have a good time? Where's Winston?"
"Oh, you know Winston, always the workaholic. I was just taking out lasagna from the oven and I turned around and he's outside checking his messages!"
"We had dinner together, but all he would talk about was work. He said he wanted to get back to the hotel early so he could prepare for the conference tomorrow. I said, 'Darling, I didn't travel half way around the world just to sit in a hotel while you work! Go on ahead. I'll wait here for Mom.'"
"I swear, Mom, Winston is going to work himself to death! Half the time I don't even feel like we're married anymore!"
"Well, if he doesn't make time for you, we girls will just have to enjoy our vacation without him, honey. You can't change people," I advised. "Don't look now, but I think you have an admirer."
"Where?"
"Behind you. Oh, never mind, he looks a little suspect to me. Maybe we ought to head home."
We made it home safe and sound, and the next day we arranged to meet up with Luis.
While Lucile slept in, I admonished Winston to pay more attention to her on this trip. "Your conference is only one day. Make sure you enjoy the vacation the rest of the time."
"I'll try, Josie, but it's just so hard for me to neglect work."
Winston stayed behind for the conference while Lucile and I went to visit the canal district. There I met up with Luis, while Lucile took gondola lessons.
Lucile also found a piano in the restaurant and played for our entertainment.
That evening. Luis took me to the farmer's market, while Lucile tried to get Winston out of the house and enjoying his vacation.
She told me they got a late start because one of the guests was having a health issue, and of course, Winston had to help.
She reported having a good time once they finally got going. They even skinny-dipped in the pool! It's a wonder they weren't arrested.
However, they went to dinner at this cafe, and he had to leave the table to make a call, so Lucile had to wait for him to finish his dessert. I'd still count it as a win. They recommended the cafe, and Luis said he liked the place too, so he took me there for an early dinner and karaoke the following afternoon.
Then we spent the evening on the beach (but unlike Winston and Lucile, we kept our clothes on.)
It's a good thing Winston is a doctor, because there was a rash of food poisoning at the hotel the following day. The kitchen needs a visit by the heath inspector!
The next day we headed home. However, Luis and I plan to keep in touch.
We arrived back in Sagehen Mesa in the late afternoon, and after Winston and Lucile dropped me off at home, Hannah cooked us up some hotdogs and caught me up on what I'd missed.
It seems Guadalupe was promoted to elementary teacher. I'm so proud of her.
Tess Mahon had a baby girl and named her Sondra. Then Cliff kicked her and the baby out of the house!
Her oldest son Clancy left with her. He knows his father is impossible. However, the younger boy, Timothy, chose to stay with his father. Those two are cut from the same cloth if you ask me. I had an unpleasant encounter with Timothy at the coffee shop just before I left on vacation.
He was saying unkind things about Hannah. That boy needs a switch taken to his backside!
It's been reported that Tess went in for a makeover shortly after she was kicked out. I hope she's not trying to win Cliff back. Marriage is sacred, but abuse is unacceptable, and we've all witnessed his unkind words to her.
Lucile called me the next day and said she ran into Tess and she was all dolled up.
She looked fabulous! Lucile offered to buy her a coffee over at the coffee shop.
Lucile said she would have gotten something to drink too, but she was still feeling queasy from the food poisoning she had on the trip. She might have to ask Winston to write her a prescription.
She's not happy about the gossip, but it's better than living with a monster.
At church the next Sunday, it was clear that the Mahon's had called it quits.
Tess seemed to have some beef with Maria Lopez.
There are rumors that Cliff left Tess for another woman, and I think Tess assumed Maria was that other woman since she normally doesn't come to church and she walked in around the same time as Cliff (who also doesn't normally come to church.)
Cliff was in quite a state. Even Ben noticed. Its strange how self destructive some men become in the absence of a woman. Tess spared him no sympathy.
I preached on the importance of forgiveness and how we should be kind to our fellow man, but I must admit that even I fell short this morning. I'm definitely not qualified to preach to others. We need a professional in this town to take over! Tess and I were cruelly making fun of our exes as soon as I had finished my sermonizing. I'm glad God is merciful and will forgive if we confess our sins!
Lucile was no better, and I even saw Winston smirking at poor Ben. We should all be ashamed of ourselves, but I guess their intervention was a success and they wanted him to know it. No, Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. Our own capacity to forgive is small, and it often takes some time to fully forgive someone.
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