Tuesday, August 30, 1910
The Watsons and the Clementines were enjoying a scrumptious dinner at Casey's Cafe and reveling in their good fortune.
"I still can't believe it!" said Jean as she shook her head. "This has been quite an eventful summer."
Will addressed Jean's tummy. "And the autumn is sure to bring new surprises as well."
George Watson lifted up his glass of iced tea. "I propose a toast!"
Everyone lifted their glass.
"To old friends, new adventures and all the grand performances life can bring our way."
The group clinked their glasses.
As Lynn brought her glass to her lips she noticed a passing reflection in the big window that looked out on Main Street.
She gasped. "Um... um... Mom? Dad? Emily won a Sunshine Award at camp. Tell them all about it, Emily."
Before Emily could ask, "Why?" Lynn had already shot up from the table. She bolted out the front door.
A couple of minutes later, Lynn sauntered back into the restaurant, practically walking on air. She whispered to Emily, "Tommy said he would wait for me." She sat up, feeling quite smug.
Emily dabbed her mouth with a napkin. "And... those were his exact words?"
"He...." Lynn swished her mouth. "He implied the message, via his affections."
Emily gave her an overly serious and sarcastic nodded. "Sure, I whole-heartedly believe you."
Lynn did a slight shimmy in her chair.
The congenial conversation continued for a few more minutes. However, with each passing second, the glaring eyes between Emily and Lynn became more defined.
"Oh, it's Tuesday!" said Will Clementine. "I just remembered that I've got to take care of the trash when we get back to the bakery."
Lynn and Emily snapped to each other. Simultaneously, both jumped up from their chairs and headed out the door. Lynn had a slight advantage and managed to out pace Emily as the girls ran towards Jackson Bros. Hardware. Lynn snickered to herself as she saw Pete walking out the backdoor with a large garbage can. She ran, full steam towards him. As soon as he placed the can into position and turned around Lynn kissed him on the lips.
She broke the kiss and smiled.
Pete was slightly confused. "Um... hi, Lynn."
Emily made it and grabbed him by the collar. She gave him a long, wet smooch.
Lynn folded her arms and tapped her right foot impatiently as she watched the untoward spectacle.
Emily finally broke off the kiss. She said in a seductive voice, "Hello, Pete."
Pete was happy but utterly confused. "Um, what exactly is...?"
He was grabbed around the collar once more. Lynn and Emily were in shock.
Pete wrapped her arms around the girl as she displayed an overarching, yearning for his lips.
Boo broke off the kiss and proclaimed, "I win!"
Lynn and Emily replied in unison, "This wasn't a contest."
Boo cringed. "Oh really?" She shrugged. "My mistake." She casually walked off whistling.
Pete started to ask, "Um, who's she?" but was interrupted.
"Girls!" barked Jean Clementine and Peggy Watson in unison.
Pete tipped his hat. "Well, um, have a nice day." He turned around to walk back into the hardware store.
As Lynn and Emily were running back to their mothers, they overheard Pete say, "Four girls in one day, Tommy's not going to believe this one."
Lynn and Emily both screeched to a halt. "Four!"
They looked to each other, fearing the inevitable deduction as to the fourth girl's identity.
Peggy was exasperated. "Enough drama. This isn't a harem!"
"Come on, let's go back to Casey's." said Jean.
They reluctantly took her advice and returned to the dinner.
