Sagehen Mesa - Season 4, Episode 7 - Young Love and Town Gossip - by Leona the Nosy Mother

 Hello,

I'm Leona Whiting. My family has lived here in Sagehen Mesa and run the Art Barn since my boys were just kids. Now my family is nearly all grown up! My boys Tony and Nick are young adults itching to leave the nest, and my daughter Lara is a teen going to her first prom. 

Tony has been working at the consignment store while taking online courses to become a pharmacist. He just completed his training and will be applying to work at the hospital real soon. He's fixing to propose to the Mahon girl and hopes to find a place to live in the immediate future. He's hoping that now that he's done with school, he can focus on saving up for a down payment on a house for the two of them.

Nick has been working at the bistro for quite awhile. He's getting ready to move out and has spoken to Paul Culpepper about renting out their modular home by the fishing hole. 

As I said earlier, Lara is getting ready to go to her first prom. She doesn't have a date, but she says a lot of the kids are just going as a group of friends. I'm glad she's getting to be more social. She's starting to spend more time with the Lopez girl across the street. They both have an interest in art. 

Tony had been acting a little odd lately, like he's got a secret. I guess I pestered him a bit because he finally confessed that he planned to propose to Sondra tonight. 

"Oh really?! That's so exciting! Where is this event going to take place?" 

"Well, we're just going to meet a the Pit Stop. I haven't really planned on it being anything elaborate. I've been so focused on finishing classes and applying for a job at the hospital that I haven't had time to  get very creative. I hope she doesn't mind." 

"Any woman would be privileged to have you for a husband, honey. If she says no, she is clearly not the girl for you and you can be glad you dodged that bullet! - Not that I think she'll turn you down, mind you. I've seen the way she looks at you. I'm just hopin' for some grandbabies before ol' Grim comes lookin' for me.

Speaking of babies, I spotted Deputy Rae down at the flower shop this afternoon. It looks like she'll be having a little one any minute now! She looks so radiant. I'm so happy for her. 

She was talking to that new girl who moved in down the street. She's a caterer you know. I went over to her place yesterday and bought some of her wares. She's pretty talented. Have you met her yet? Maybe she could cater your wedding."

"Yeah, her name's Teri. She came into the store and bought a camera. We talked a bit, and discussed the people she's met so far in town. She asked about Timothy Mahon, saying seems nice but he suddenly turns insolent and rude. She's been trying to establish a friendship with him.

'Yeah, I know Timothy. His dad's the same way. Good luck with that,' I said. I can't believe those guys are related to Sondra. Teri said when she first met Tim, he had come over to her house to get acquainted, and was so rude she had to ask him to leave. But he came by the following day with a plate of pancakes or something and said he was sorry for the way he acted."

"I believe they were waffles. I was there. Bobbi said Cliff was notorious for presenting her with 'apology waffles' when he had behaved badly back when they were dating. Tim must have learned that tactic from him."

"Teri said she ran into him at the festival and he seemed like a different guy. He was all spiffed up and polite."

"Well, those Mahon men have always been unpredictable. Approach with caution, I always say."

It wasn't long after this conversation that Tony left for his date. I gave him a head start, but a mother just can't resist temptation. He was a little annoyed when I showed up to the Pit Stop shortly after he and Sondra arrived. 

"Mom! What are you doing here?!"

"Oh don't mind me son. I just stopped in for a sandwich. . . . and maybe to take a picture or two."

"Now I'm really gonna need some liquid courage!"

He balked and accused me of meddling, but I assured him I would stay at the bar and out of his business. 

He eventually worked up the courage and asked her. 

Smart girl! I'm glad she said yes. Not long afterward an old man I didn't know walked in. It turns out he's a new neighbor as well. His name is Merle, and he didn't seem very social, but he eventually warmed up to me. 

I learned that he worked the ticket booth down at the festival. 

He and his wife  Alyssa recently moved to a house he inherited from an uncle. As he and his wife were struggling financially and lost their home to the bank, it seemed reasonable to them to move to Sagehen Mesa and take up residence in the house. I learned that while he and his wife wanted a family, it never happened for them. His wife is working at the bistro as a waitress. She planted a large garden and they are doing their best to get by.

 That's all the scuttlebutt I have for you today. I hope to see you at the wedding!