When his team came up to bat, she gave him a high-five and went to find a place on the bleachers where several other women had congregated. Thanks to Sue, the quilt became an instant topic of conversation. By the time the game ended, four more ladies were interested in helping, one who said she couldn't stitch a straight seam but could bake cookies and make lunches for those who could.
Kit quickly realized she had too few answers for too many of the women's questions. “I'll have a meeting at my house on Tuesday…” She thought a moment. Tuesday was the day she'd promised to take Teza to the traveling mammogram unit in Olympia. “Make it Wednesday morning, say ten. I'll put the coffeepot on.”
After the game they walked on back to the booths, Thomas beside her and Kelly beside him. “I imagine you're both starved by now.”
“I am. Mom gave me money for a hot dog.” Kelly dug in the pocket of her shorts. “See.” She held up a five-dollar bill. “I can spend it however I want.”
“Hot dog okay with you?” Kit asked.
Thomas nodded.
Or two?”
His grin broadened. “With mustard and relish.”
“How about I buy the dogs and you dress your own?” At his nod, she added, “And then we call your folks to make sure it's all right for you to stay through the fireworks tonight.”
“All right!” He and Kelly swapped cheers and raced ahead to the hot dog stand, run by the local Kiwanis.
Kit watched the two kids fix their hot dogs and giggle when the mustard bottle squirted half on the white paper covering the table, missing most of their sandwiches. So many years since hers had been that age, and yet it seemed like only last week.
“I hear you ve decided to go ahead with the quilt idea,” Marcy said some time later as they stood in line for barbecued chicken at the Saint Ignatius Catholic Church food booth. The men of Saint Ignatius were famous in five counties for their grilled chicken and the ladies for their potato salad.
“My, but news travels fast in this town.” Kit shook her head. “I just mentioned it this morning, and here we're having a planning meeting at my house on Wednesday. Want to come?”
“No thanks, but I'll buy tickets or come bid at the auction. You know, you might invite Elaine Giovanni to join the group. She'd be good help on lots of levels. And once the quilt is finished, I think there's a blank wall at the hospital that would be a real good place to display it.”
“That would be kind of like carrying coals to Newcasde, wouldn't it?”
“Perhaps, but those bars at Newcastle might need rattling.”
“Might that young man over there be one of the bars you're meaning?” Kit's eyebrows rose as she nodded over at a group of people eating their chicken and sipping from foaming glasses of golden liquid.
“I thought beer was supposed to be kept in the Beer Garden.” Kit glanced back at Marcy.
“It is. But then some people don't feel the same rules apply to them as to the rest of us peons.”
“Hi, Kit, what's this I hear about a quilting project?” Harriet Spooner stopped in the chicken line behind them.
“Good to see you, Harriet. The quilt is to earn money for a new mammogram unit for the hospital. You interested in helping?”
“I was thinking that I'd come if you wanted more sewers and invite our new pastors wife. She said she loves to quilt. It'd be a good chance for her to meet more of us, and I know how these things go, there are never enough hands and you know I'd rather garden in the summertime, but this sounds like something we should all take part in and.
When she took a breath, Kit broke in. “I'm really glad you thought of her. Teza mentioned meeting her at the WECARE meeting, didn't she? The meeting's at my house at ten o'clock on Wednesday.”
“Good, I'll be there. Your roses are always so beautiful, and by the way, the chicken is even better this year than last. Dessert, that's what I need. Choices, choices.”
“Thanks, Harriet.” Kit
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