Chapter 30: Come to the Table


Rose Plaza erupted with activity as villagers hurried from the park to take their seats at the long makeshift table. Some were more impatient than others, bumping me with their shoulders as they pushed to be the first to take their seats and fill their cups.

Claire turned back to me. "Aren't you coming?" she asked, nearly all traces of embarrassment gone. I wondered if I had imagined the effect my comment made, but a faint pink lingered on her cheek.

"Of course," I smiled and quickened my pace to walk alongside her.

"Where should we sit?" she wondered.

Her question was an invitation I wordlessly accepted.

I looked at the crowd squeezing into place at the table. They appeared to be falling into seats that had been determined decades before. Where was a place for two newcomers? Habit dictated I wait until everyone was settled to find an empty spot I could slip into, disturbing everyone else as little as possible. But before I could answer, Claire's eyes flashed to the northern entrance.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, waving her hand high in the air.

"Claire!" Elli called happily. She rushed to us, Trent walking unhurriedly behind her. Elli had abandoned her nurse's apron and Trent had shed his whitecoat, though a disc contraption was still on his head. "I'm relieved we made it on time! I hope Stu didn't give anyone too much trouble," she said, craning her neck to find her brother in the crowd.

"What'd you bring?" Claire asked, eyeing the covered basket Elli carried.

"Ah, Grandma made them," she said, pulling a checkered cloth back to reveal enormous muffins. "You know how she is—even if she can't be here, she's going to contribute. I've been waiting to eat these all day!"

"I thought you were dieting?" Trent asked.

A deep blush settled over Elli's cheeks. "Well, not on holidays…"

I felt Trent's eyes fix on me as Elli and Claire chatted with one another.

"Hello," he said flatly before clearing his throat. "Hi," he tried again in a friendlier tone. "Happy Harvest Festival."

"Thanks, same to you," I said back, offering an uneasy smile to the metal disc. I could feel Claire looking between the two of us before she let out a giggle.

"You still have your head mirror on," she pointed out, and I realized she and Elli had turned their attention to Trent's forehead.

Elli let out a short laugh before quickly covering her mouth.

"What?" the doctor said, cocking his head and bringing his hand to touch the band around his head. "Elli, why didn't you say anything?"

"Sorry, I'm so used to seeing you with it on—I didn't even notice!" she apologized, though an endeared smile was on her lips.

"I can't take it off here," Trent worried, and I realized he almost seemed embarrassed. "The clinic can't afford to replace any equipment if it were to break," he sighed.

"Just leave it," Claire urged. "Nothing will happen to it on your head."

"I'm going to return it," he said resolutely.

"You just got here though."

"It'll only take ten minutes."

"But you're so late already!" Claire said in a half-whine.

"Which is why a few minutes later shouldn't matter," Trent calmly argued.

Elli and I exchanged glances as the couple continued debating over the fate of the head mirror. I looked over at the table to find Ann beckoning me over to her and wondered if I would be noticed if I simply slipped away.

"Okay, you two," Elli said, intervening. "I'll go back to the clinic."

"Thanks, Elli," Trent sighed as he began to unfasten the strap around the back of his head.

"I don't want you to miss out either," Claire worried.

"It's nothing," Elli smiled and handed the basket to Claire. "A little exercise will do me some good."

"We'll save you a seat," Trent assured her as he carefully handed the head mirror to Elli.

"I'll be back soon. Now go sit down already!" she scolded the couple before hurrying out of the square.

Trent took Claire's hand. "I promised Jeff yesterday we'd sit with him," he explained to Claire, who nearly stifled a sigh. "I hope you enjoy the meal," he added towards me.

Claire turned to me and smiled. "Would you like to join us, Cliff?"

I looked at the couple before me. Even without the added tension of their slight bickering, I knew I would rather sit where I belong, and I didn't belong between the two of them.

"Thanks, but I have a seat waiting for me already," I said with a small smile and gestured towards Ann at the other end of the table.

"Oh, well, make sure to try my candied sweet potato!" Claire urged with a last smile towards me before we both turned and headed in opposite directions. I could hear one last question from Trent as we parted ways.

"What happened to your skirt?"

I hoped I made the right decision as I took my seat on a hay bale next to Ann.

"So, who's the apple bobbing champion?" I asked her when I noticed the wet strands of loose hair framing her face.

"Who do you think?" she said, pointing towards Popuri. Based on her soaked curls and the flannel blanket wrapped tightly around her, she looked as if she had fallen headfirst into the water.

"Kai has no idea what he's in for next summer," Gray said as he and Mary settled in across from us.

"I think it's sweet," Mary said with a longing sigh. "She's been writing more than me lately with all those letters they've been exchanging."

"I'm getting pretty damn tired of being their smuggler," Gray grumbled.

"Yeah right!" Ann laughed. "It makes you feel cool, doesn't it?"

"What are you talking about?" he said as he adjusted his cap.

"It should! It's a noble thing to do!" asserted Mary.

"That's not what I would call cool, but whatever," he conceded with a smile.

I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder and turned.

"Excuse me, mind if I sit with you?" Carter asked.

"Of course," I grinned and scooted closer to Ann. "Like you need to ask."

Carter looked down at the covered dishes hungrily as we waited for the ladies to serve the stew.

"This reminds me of long ago when I used to make a ton of soup and give it to everybody in town. Doug is a better cook than I ever was though!" he said happily as he tried to discover what dishes were nearest to us.

Anna placed a bowl of Doug's stew in front of Mary as she made her way down their side of the table.

"Eat mindfully, dear," Anna instructed her daughter with a telling glance towards Ann. "What do I always tell you?" she asked.

"We should be thankful for the bounty of nature which sustains us," Mary recited automatically.

"Good girl," cooed Anna as she set a bowl in front of Gray.

"Thanks, nature," Gray said with a smirk towards Mary, who pressed the back of her hand against her mouth to hide her amusement.

Anna sniffed at his flippant remark before speaking to Carter, her tone pointed. "I hope you will be leading us in grace, Father? I think some of us could learn from you."

"Oh, I suppose I should!" Carter laughed and reluctantly tore his eyes away from his own bowl as Sasha set my portion in front of me. Steam rose from the stew and made my mouth water with impatience.

Once everyone had been served, Doug collapsed next to Ann and dabbed at his face with a handkerchief, out of breath from the exertion of cooking for who knows how many hours straight.

"This better…better taste…perfect!" he wheezed into his handkerchief.

"I'm sure it's fine, Dad," Ann said with tired reassurance. "You get too worked up over this anyway. It's a stew; you just throw everything in and hope for the best!"

Doug puffed up with hot air at her careless comment. "The bouquet garni alone—!" he gasped.

"Geez, Dad!" Ann laughed. "Relax!"

Carter rose beside me and suddenly all eyes were near us. I shifted uncomfortably at the focus of the table.

"Good afternoon, everyone! I would like to take a moment to say a short blessing before we begin," he said, emphasizing his intended brevity with a look towards his waiting meal. "Please join hands."

The town linked hands with one another and lowered their heads. In the silence, I heard Ann's stomach growl loudly. I couldn't hold back a soft laugh, and Ann squeezed my hand tightly as punishment.

"Every meal is a chance to be better connected to the earth, to each other, and to the Goddess," Carter's voice called out to the table. "We offer our thanks to Her for another chance to celebrate Her gifts at the same time, in the same place, with the same meal. Now, let's eat!"

Hungry hands quickly separated and reached to uncover the various dishes on the table. The lids were lifted, revealing an overcrowded spread of homemade food across the gingham. The traces of scents that carried on the air at dinnertime now filled the square with a mouthwatering aroma. I was stunned by the sight of the feast before me. For a moment, my mind was empty of anything except hunger. My eyes darted from dish to dish, unsure whether to first devour the golden-crusted stuffed loaves, the crisped potatoes, the whipped deviled eggs, or the buttered noodles. I unhealthily overlooked the bright splashes of color that were the fresh salads and roasted vegetables to ogle the various pies, iced cakes, and candied desserts.

It became my goal at that moment to right every skipped meal by stuffing myself senseless.

Dishes were passed from hand to hand, some traveling to the left, some to the right, occasionally burying the ravenous person caught between them. I guiltlessly filled my plate to a height that rivaled Ann's before deciding to eat from my bowl.

I lifted my spoon and indulged my tongue with the savory and rich stew. At first taste, my body flared with hunger, as if it was angry at me for denying it of something so tasty for so long.

"Goddess, this is so good!" I said to Ann. Her mouth was too full to speak, but she nodded vigorously.

"Mmm, anything I make is bound to turn out well!" chuckled Doug. His earlier stress had evaporated as he watched everyone around him plop drop dumplings into their bowls and swallow spoonfuls of his masterpiece. I imagined it made his stew taste even better for him.

The square became noisy and joyful with clinking dinnerware, conversation, and laughter. Heartfelt thanks were at the center of the lively chatter, with villagers eager to discover who brought what and commend their cooking. Even Karen received an abundance of compliments for how well her jam went with Lillia's cornbread. She mouthed a silent "thank you" to Ann from down the table at every appreciative comment.

"Did you make the jam?" I asked Ann, an eyebrow raised.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she claimed between mouthfuls.

Despite all the wholesome chaos, I couldn't help but glance over at the opposite end of the table. I was surprised to find Trent examining Jeff's eye with a penlight and briefly wondered if that was a common occurrence at the grocer's dinner table. Claire ate silently next to him, Elli's empty seat at her side. Her eyes looked up and down the table until she met mine and gave me a small smile.

I smiled back and quickly looked down at my plate to find where I had scooped a small portion of candied sweet potato. I loaded a few pieces on my fork and held it up for her to see. Simple sweetness filled my mouth as I took a bite and nodded appreciatively.

"So good!" I mouthed to her, and she beamed back at me, dimples forming in her cheeks.

Suddenly her eyes were scanning the table. She pointed at a collection of buttered rolls and gave me a questioning look.

I shook my head no at the various foods she silently asked me about until she pointed towards the mini apple pies. With a nod from me, she asked for someone to pass the tray. I watched as she brought a pastry to her lips and took an enormous bite. She smiled widely and closed her eyes in an exaggerated face as she chewed. I laughed out loud at her antics as she bounced in her seat as a child would.

Her mock dancing abruptly stopped when Elli joined her at her side. She brought her fingertips to her mouth as she tried to quickly swallow the large bite she took before she turned away from me to greet her friend.


The sky darkened around us as the gathering unfolded into the night. Soon the square was glowing from the dim streetlamps, crossing strings of soft lights overhead, and melted candles. As our bellies were slowly filled and then stretched further, a torpor had settled over the table. The chatter died down to a soft and steady murmuring. Rick had taken the opportunity to pick up his guitar and play a calming, contemplative tune that lulled those who listened. Stu and May had long since fallen asleep on hay bales under blankets Elli had draped over them, and it looked as if Barley would be snoozing soon as well. The dishes, thoroughly enjoyed and substantially lightened, were a testament to how much had been consumed. The occasional villager would slowly stand and stretch, before dragging their feet to collect the remains of their dish and walk home, sleepy and sedate.

Everything felt so comfortable and warm, resting against the hay bales with Ann, Gray, Mary, and Karen as we listened to Rick. It was apparent Rose Plaza would not be cleaned until the next day, and I wondered if anyone would be willing to pay me to help. Rent was due soon, after all.

Rent. The thought was enough for me to head for my first glass of wine of the evening. Today may have been full of games and feasting, but tomorrow would be another day of skipped meals and money scrounging. I knew I didn't have enough to pay Doug, but maybe he would give me an extra day if I asked? The job with Gotz could not come soon enough.

I began to fill my glass, and the hopeful thought of my upcoming job sent my eyes searching for Claire.

She and Trent were cozied up together under a shared blanket at the table, enjoying their own glasses of wine as they spoke to one another in low voices, an occasional laugh escaping from Claire's lips. All trace of their earlier tension had disappeared. When she looked up at him, her feelings were clear in her pale blue eyes.

I turned back to the cask and topped off my wine until my glass was half empty. Despite the company I had enjoyed all day, I suddenly felt lonely.

I strolled away from the crowd to sit on the ledge of the stone steps leading to the beach. As I looked out at the sea, the memory of my arrival in Mineral Town came to the forefront of my mind. The beach had been covered in snow then, starch white, oddly silent, and horribly cold. The memory left me with a wintry chill.

Will I even be able to stay long enough to see winter here again? I thought.

An unexpected question from behind me caused me to jump.

"What are you doing over here by yourself?"

I turned to see Ann, a blanket with loose hay clinging to it wrapped around her shoulders. She held a plate of apple pie in her hand.

"Just thinking," I said, feeling slightly ashamed I almost lost myself to the negative thoughts.

"You do that a lot," she laughed and held the pastry out to me. "Here, have you tried one yet?"

"I had to wait to make room for dessert," I explained, accepting the pie. I could tell it was one I helped make by its crooked lattice.

Ann collapsed next to me heavily. "Ugh, I ate way too much!" she groaned as she kicked her dangling legs out over the ledge.

"How many apple pies did you manage?" I asked, genuinely very curious.

"Mini apple pies, and…three, I think?"

"Not even double digits? Ann, I'm a little disappointed."

"I'm only human!"

"Maybe you should reconsider your superpower."

"Shut up!" she laughed playfully as she lightly bumped her shoulder against my arm. I let her lightly push me away before I swayed back upright. Deciding to obey, I took a bite of the pie. It was sweet and delicious, but best of all, it was shell-less. I let out a sigh of relief.

We sat together in silence for a moment before I looked over at her.

"I don't think I've thanked you yet," I said after a second bite.

"This is thanks enough," she said, breaking off a chunk of the pie and tossing it into her mouth.

"I thought you were full!"

"I am," she yawned, and I couldn't help but smile. Ann seemed to have a knack for finding me in my loneliest moments and trying to make me feel better. Tonight, it was working.

"Thank you."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you, Ann. For everything. I'm lucky to have you around."

"I know you are," she said with a satisfied smile before she swayed into me again, this time resting her head on my shoulder. She felt comforting and warm against the chilled night air.


Thank you all for your patience with me. I got stuck with this chapter, then got bummed over stats, and then I got full of self-doubt and developed burnout! Over time, I've started to see the storytelling mistakes I've made, and sometimes it makes me want to quit. But I realize now that self-doubt is an intrinsic part of improvement, and mistakes are no reason to give up on a story I am excited to share.

Your reviews and messages helped pull me out of this funk and come to that realization! Thank you so much. I am really lucky to have readers like you guys, and I shouldn't take that for granted. I don't see me disappearing anytime soon, so expect weekly Friday updates again. If you are ever curious if I'm on a break again, check out my profile—I update the story tracker each week. I'm very dedicated to seeing this story through to the end.

I feel bad Trent has gotten so little time in the story thus far (he is one of my favorites!), but it's not like Cliff is keen on spending time with him. He'll get more attention in the future! I actually ended up typing an outline for a story where Trent is the lead character as a little apology for leaving him out for so long.

Next week, we'll go moongazing. :)