Second Chances for Nathan Chapter 7, Part 7, Page 37

At long last the Grand Opening of Billees was here! There was an atmosphere of excitement in the air. Even at the Church service, the children were antsy and wiggly. Elizabeth and Rosemary both had them stay for a few minutes after church just to make sure they knew what to do. Everyone went home to get their dish to share and finish getting ready.

Bill laughed when Nathan walked over and said that if he had to smell that pig roasting much longer, he couldn't stand it as his stomach was growling. "I'm going in to see how Lee is doing and if I can help." Nathan said as he walked inside.

There was a lot of commotion going on but it was all being supervised by Rosie. This was what she was born for. She even had a bull horn. Everyone was arriving with their dishes and setting up the buffet table. Sam made sure the hot food was separate from the cold food, that the coffee and lemonade was made, and desserts were in a separate area.

The room looked so inviting and better than they had ever seen it. As soon as everyone arrived. Rosemary called for quiet and asked Pastor Canfield to say a prayer before their meal. "Lord, we thank you for our friends, our family, and for your bountiful blessings. Please unite our little town with your love." Followed by a spontaneous "Amen!"

Soon, everyone had filled their plates with the the roast pork and all the fixins the townspeople brought. Bill was very pleased with the compliments he got for the roasted pig and with all the delicious side dishes, there wasn't a hungry soul in sight.

Lee went up to the stage and asked for everyone's attention. "Will everyone please lift their glass of lemonade or cup of coffee? I'd like to toast our community. As you look around you see smiling faces, hear laughter, and taste some of the best food ever, but this wouldn't be possible without all of you! This place, is to be used by all. So here's to HOPE VALLEY'S GATHERING PLACE, MAY IT ALWAYS BE A SECOND HOME FOR ALL!" With that everyone clinked their drinks and joined in with a "HERE HERE!"

Bill came up next and looking around, waved at Sam to come up and join him. "This is Sam Tremblay and you're going to be seeing him here managing Billees for Lee and I. He'll be running the spotlight and Victrola. Please give him a warm welcome." Applause ensued. "Also we'd like to thank the sweet ladies who made this place look spectacular. As he glanced at Molly, he winked and she blushed. Without you all pitching in hanging lights, painting, cleaning, whatever you did big or small, be proud of yourselves. This is not just Billee's, it's yours too! Thank you! Now let the merriment begin!"

Rosemary gave both the men a thumb's up and got her bullhorn. "Hello Hope Valley! My sincere gratitude to all of your home cooked dishes you brought and all the decorating you did. Are all the acts ready to go?"

"Yes!" the people answered.

"All right then, let Hope Valley's Got Talent begin!"

Sam and Lee had the white sheet hung up for the silhouette act and the spotlight on it. There was a little table and 2 chairs. Flo came into the scene and sat down at the table. She was fiddling and looking around. Sam had the Victrola playing a beautiful slow dance. After a bit, Ned joined Flo in the scene, took off his hat, and presented her with a flower, she acted surprised and flattered. Ned bowed to her and put out his hand. Flo grasped his hand, stood up, and the two of them danced a beautiful waltz. At the end of the dance, Ned picked his hat up, covered their faces just as he was giving Flo a kiss. The crowd burst into applause as Ned and Flo came out from behind the curtain and bowed.

Clare and Jesse were next. Dressed as clowns they had red noses, funny polka-dot hats, painted faces, and big floppy shoes. Being silly came natural for Jesse, but when he tried to juggle little balls, he lost control and one of them landed in Pastor Canfield's coffee!

Faith and Molly were dressed in sparkling red dresses with fringe and fancy matching ribbons in their hair and bright red lipstick. Sam worked the Victrola and played a fast tune that the two girls danced the shimmy to. They were laughing so hard while dancing that Molly almost fell off the stage.

Then Fiona and Mike went next. They had painted themselves in white and black. Acting as mimes they were so good as they were playing the parts of two people stuck in a room and trying to find their way out. The mime was quite clever and they had a great response.

Elizabeth was dressed still in her lovely pink church dress with matching gloves. She brought with her on the stage her new book, 'A single mother on the frontier." She read from her heart and everyone seemed entranced, especially Sam. At the end of her reading, there was silence and then applause. Even LJ who was in Laura's lap was clapping.

Next Nathan and Bill went on stage and played their guitars as they harmonized together they also sang. After 2 songs they were ready to get up. The crowd enjoyed them so much, they wanted more, but they promised later.

Sam got up on the stage with a cans, buckets, metal spatulas, and different amounts of with water-filled glass bottles. The children were wondering what he was going to do. He entertained them making music with these items. They sat in front of the stage and Sam brought some of the children up on the stage and they had fun making 'music'!

Then it was time for the children's skit. Elizabeth and Rosemary got all the children lined up behind the stage curtain and Jesse helped with the props. Opal was hysterical as the Old Woman and all the children tried to fit in the shoe, but some just were laughing so hard, they fell out. Rosemary was reading the script, but she too got caught up in the laughter that they barely got through it.

Lastly, Angela played the piano, and Nathan and Bill played their guitars and invited everyone in a sing-along! So many voices and so much fun.

When all the talent parts were done, no one could decide on who won first place, so when all else fails, eat, and eat the desserts is exactly what they did. Henry watched everyone and was glad he returned. This was indeed home!