Chapter 27 [Edinsboro Center—Philomena's Café]
Angie leaned forward in her chair. Her eyes studied Memorabilia's Display across the walls. Events and Days Long Past seemed to float to her…some good, others not so much. Come on, Dave. Where are you? Nerves jabbed at her stomach. Old Coffee didn't help her mood any. Can't they make a new pot sometime this century? She noticed a Heavy Set Blonde with a ponytail running down her back. She waved. "Hi, Jo! Dave call you?"
"Harvey left a note on the door. You think we're going to let you two slip in and out of here without a howdy? Angie, come on!" Jo shook her head. She saw Abandoned Cup off to the side. "Let me guess. Coffee's old enough for Social Security?" She rolled her eyes. "Sometimes it's no mystery why people want to leave here."
"Door's that way, Jocelyn. You can be at the fancy place in fifteen minutes." A heavy set man in Greasy T-Shirt and Jeans set his jaw behind the counter. "I'm surprised you're here, Doc. Where's the fire?"
Angie raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" She turned toward said Cook. "Do I need a case to be in Edinsboro? Dave and I have company from out of town. They wanted to see the historic site. Harvey and Dave are bringing them up there. I just hope Earl can be civil. Jerry, this is for the village. All right? We aren't kids any more at the high school. Brother Tony would preach patience and open hands."
"As would I. Jerry, please." A dark haired slender man with a Native complexion shuffled with a heavy gait from General Store. Dark ministerial clothes marked Life's service. "Well put, Angela. Thank you. Would you mind?"
"Not at all." Angie got up and hustled to his side. "Good afternoon, Brother Ignatius. Thanks for coming. I'd offer you a cup of coffee but…" She helped him to the table. "I wish you'd let me look at that leg."
"I keep telling you it's the Lord's Will." Ignatius shrugged off their constant argument.
"It's God's Will that Angie's here, Reverend." Jo cleared her throat. "I say that not to argue but because I care. All right?"
"I know." Smile cracked across Ignatius' face. "I will be in Wabash tomorrow and Sunday for the fair of course."
"We are. There was this opportunity for the area. It was too good to pass up. There's the old Underground Station between the Raymonds' and Jo's farm. Right? Might be good for some funds." Angie shrugged. "The part of it between Albany and Canada was good for those people. The Native Americans and our ancestors worked together." She frowned. "Sorry."
"Thank you but there's no need for an apology, Angela. You're absolutely right. Both sides are my people. Certainly, David's family proved that well enough. For many reasons, we should look into restoring the cabin and opening it to tourism. There are others who'd resist the idea." Ignatius looked over at the counter. "Jerry, a fresh pot please? I need some coffee that'll soothe me not stand as one of His Tests."
"Harvey and I are all for it. We just don't want our fields disturbed. We all know Earl and Betsy have some great sugar maples on their land. We can co-exist." Jo threw her hands up in the air. "Look at the farms up and down that trail. We have people who want to balance things."
"Dave and I understand these concerns too. We want our snowmobile trails and maple trees. There's a balance to living in history. He was talking to me last night of redoing somethings around the house so we can open our passage too. We'd have to lock the cellar door and certain other things. I don't believe I'm saying this but it could work." Angie smelled Coffee perking in its carafe. "Thanks, Jerry. We're going to have some folks for pie too if you have any."
"Blueberry, Cherry and Apple, Doc. I made my first trip to Baumann's last week. Going back again any time." Mood lightened on Jerry's face. Perhaps Ignatius' Sharp Glint into his eyes made him such. Still, Voice had lost its edge. "Reverend, maybe you might get Paul and Wendy from the store? That way, we got our council."
"I can do that." Jo stood up. "Be back in a minute." She walked into the store to see Dubois, Harvey, Peter and Gwen coming in the outer door. "Hi, Guys! The Reverend's in with Angie. Good visit?"
"Great place. I wish Mr. Raymond would feel better about things." Gwen surveyed the old store. "This is so great! We don't have this in New York. Maybe the paper would like this?"
"If not, Aunt May'll love it." Peter snapped a few pictures of the shelves and wall décor. Old Fashioned Postal Mail Slots adorned walls by counter. Deli Case had a few basic Cold Cuts and Cheeses. Options for Macaroni and Potato Salads sat beside that. Hot Dogs and Fresh-Patted Down Burgers sat in the next case over. "People down there will love this."
A slender African American woman with a brown apron over blue blouse and dress slacks perked up from a row over. "Down where, Sir?" She peered around the corner. "Pardon me. I don't mean to seem rude. I'm Wendy Waynewright. My husband and I run this store. Who are your friends, David?"
"They're from New York. They're doing some freelancing for the Daily Bugle. Wendy, these are Peter Parker and his fiancée, Gwen Stacy. They're here to enjoy the fair. They've got a few potential article leads. You should do your chili and mac and cheese, Polly. You'd be a hit." Dubois motioned toward the twin kettles and Styrofoam bowls.
"Land sakes!" Embarrassment streaked Red across Wendy's cheeks. "Angie's right. You are a flatterer! But as it happens, we're closing for the weekend and heading down there. Paul's there setting up now. He's coming to get me." She pointed at Peter. "My sister lives just north of New York on the Commuter Rail. Peter, you're the photographer that gets the Spider-Man photos! You make her shake her head. Don't know how you do it."
"Just telling the truth, Wendy. If you want a ride, Angie'll probably let you ride with her. If not, Peter and Gwen can ride with her. I'll take you to the fairgrounds," Dubois offered. "You want Paul to hear anyone calling your cooking second rate? Yeah right. By the way, if you wanted to make polenta again, the sauce works for that too." Smirk spread across his face. Mischief sparked in his eyes.
"Says the man with the herb garden on his porch and Grandpa's killer sauce. You do your share too, Dave. And I just might take you up on that!" Polly shook her head. Smile and Nod acknowledged Kindness. "Go ahead and take the pictures you'd like, Mr. Parker. That's fine."
Peter offered Gratitude's tacit nod to her. "Thanks. I get the shots that are there. I've got a workshop next week I'm doing in Cherry Plain on that. Sorry it's not closer." He let Gwen's reminding expression roll off of his shoulders. "Maybe you might come?"
"You know. I may just do that. Can you write down the information for me? I love taking photos myself. I'm nowhere near as good as you are. I'd appreciate the pointers." Polly handed Peter Pad and Pen. "Maybe we might do an interview on our store? It's been open for 200 years."
Gwen scribbled Quick Note on her Pad about that place for future reference. "Sounds like a lead to me, Mr. P."
"Sure. Mind if I snap a few more pictures? Get some perspective? I'd like to get one of you behind the counter." Peter took a few more photos. "I've got three left. Then I have to change film rolls." He waited for Wendy to get into position. "Thanks. Got it." He scribbled down Requested Information and handed it to her.
"Then, you'd best save some for the diner." Wendy read over Peter's information. "That's only ten minutes from here. Paul can cover me for an hour. I might have to leave right away. So, what brings you two to Edinsboro anyway? There's isn't much."
"They're here for the Railroad Shack on our land, Wendy. You'd have some stories in that regard." Jo pointed toward the café. "Angie and Brother Ignatius are waiting. Sorry. I didn't know you were by yourself to
"Ain't nobody been here in a couple of hours, Jo. It's fine. My ancestors used Dave and Angie's cellar and that shack to head to Canada. Some of them stayed and formed their own places. This store was one place." Wendy put her apron away. "I'll put the sign up for a few minutes. It'll be fine. The Reverend told me we were going to talk." She headed for the door. "I'll meet you in there. Can you have Jerry warm me a piece of apple pie? That's lunch."
"On it. Come on, Kids. Pie, coffee and great conversation awaits." Jo led Peter and Gwen into the café. "Be it so humble. It's our dining room away from home. That's Jerry over there behind the counter. Reverend Spoonhauer, our New York journalists are here."
"We sure had a handful with Earl Raymond up the road." Harvey rubbed the back of his neck. "Wish someone could knock that boulder from his shoulder. He doesn't want it."
"Wish someone could buy that section. What is it? Maybe two acres? His trees would hardly get touched." Jo shook her head. "That would give them some more money for Betsy's treatments."
Angie rubbed her forehead. Consternation throbbed therein. "If Betsy would come into the clinic, I'd work with her. I know Dave reminded Earl of that again. That woman still carries that grudge. Well, she carries it against herself. I didn't do anything to her. She never stopped trying to make my life miserable. I'm past that. So's Dave."
"They've got nothing to say, Angie." Wendy led Dubois into the café. "Let the hateful sulk. It'll dawn on them at some point. So, what's going on? Is it related to the Railroad Cabin?" She sucked in a deep breath. "Paul and I are all for it. It expands the National Park. It gives us a trail most times between Wabash, here and to the north."
Ignatius nodded. "Yes. The next station site's right on the park's northern tip in Regalsville. Reverend Sanders was asking me about that." He cleared his throat. "David, do you think we could have an audience with Wabash's village council. We would need assistance."
"As I said to Peter and Gwen, that's why I'd like the stories done. If it wasn't a potential conflict of interest, I'd do an Op Ed. of my own. The stories get done. Maybe that would force Albany to finally consider our villages for grant money. Jolene Masters and Jennifer Dubois would write letters of support. The councils should meet. Angie and I are only two members. We have six other members that would need convincing."
"If they'll listen, I'll meet with 'em." Jerry placed Warmed Fruit Pie topped with Whipped Cream. "You both want to hear about us?"
"Your songs are part of this choir, Sir. Let them notes rise and be heard!" Gwen piped up.
"Well put, Miss Stacy. I agree." Ignatius raised Mug to Sentiment. Nod offered to Peter as well.
Seemed that a Good Deed could be offered in Mask or not….
