EDENVILLE

The Hen's Hub

By @naomimrshl

For years, since their graduation from the Edenville Community College, with Business and Hospitality Degrees, Twila and Dipsy had held the monthly Edenville Business Women's Club at the pub.
On inclement days, they met in the back room... known as the Hen's Hub; however, when weather permitted, their preference was to meet at one of the three outdoor tables Mr. Kemp. had placed underneath an awning just outside the front doors.

From this location, club members could watch the river traffic and take count of the folks who made good use of the walking path along the river's edge.

It was not a problem to change location, from indoors to al fresco, since there were precisely two members of the EBWC.

At times, the ladies held a meeting devoted to encouraging more participation but never could seem to find a fellow business woman who would pay dues to a club that didn't do much more than have a monthly meeting and, occasionally, craft a small float for the Edenville Founder's Day Cucumber Festival Parade.

As the two ladies soaked in the gentle sunshine on this rare, warm, winter day Twila let out a happy sigh.

"I do love a good mimosa. They go so well with Mr. Kemp's cockle chowder."

Dipsy smiled at Twila over the rim of her rum and Coke.
"I know exactly what you mean, dear... these rum and cokes are the perfect accompaniment to his barnacle hash."
"Let's vote to continue to meet here!" Twila responded with sudden enthusiasm.

"Yes! Let's!" Dipsy perked up.
"Shall we do it by secret vote?"
"Definitely! We don't want a recount... and I have a bit of tablet paper and two pencils."

The two ladies wrote down their secret votes and, when Mr. Kemp brought them the house dessert tray, they handed the bits of paper to him and asked if he could count the results while they chose from the luscious array of pies and cakes.
Mr. Kemp carefully read the results, then held a recount anyway... just for propriety's sake.
The two ladies' eyes sparkled as they dug into their sweets...
"oh, please, Mr. Kemp! Don't keep us in suspense!"

Mr. Kemp turned their luncheon bill over and wrote the result:

"the vote to continue to meet at the pub, here, has been accepted in the affirmative... unanimously!"

After a brief exclamation of pleasure in the desired outcome of the secret vote, Twila and Dipsy continued their enthusiastic excavation of Mr. Kemps yummy treats. This thoroughly satisfactory pastime was interrupted when Twila spied a large, clear plastic bubble floating on the river's ebbing tide.

"What in the world is that." Twila pointed to the bubble.

Dipsy looked up and, when she noticed what Twila was watching said, "Oh that... that's Porter Dobbs. Two days ago, he tried out a new invention that Frank person made. I think it was sposed to protect his nose from harm... he falls a lot, you know."

"But... but... what's he doing out there!?" Twila squealed.

"Well, he crawled inside just as a stiff wind blew up... rolled him right into the river, and he's been out there ever since... come'n and go'n with high and low tides"

"My gosh!" Twila exclaimed "Has anyone put together a rescue squad? Surely, we should get him out of that thing!"

"Oh, it's got its good points... he hasn't bled in three days, and I drop bologna sandwiches down the air hole. My aim is improving... especially when I throw em from the bridge when he floats under."

Dobbs disappeared under the Memorial bridge's arch with a strange serenity. Both women noticed that it's occupant appeared to be napping.

.......................

A tall man, dressed in a dark trench coat, Fedora hat, and oversized sunglasses, slipped round the corner of the old pub and seemed to glide through the swinging half-doors and into the welcoming bar.

Both ladies sat up straight and grabbed their handbags when they saw the silhouettes of Mr. Kemp, and the tall man, shake hands midst the friendly gloom of the little pub.

Each throwing some bills on the table, scrambled to divest their laps of napkins and the last bits of crumb and icing.
They quickly pulled on coats and gloves...
"I just remembered..."
"Oh my! look at the..."

Twilla and Dipsy started to leave with a casual air but, after a few quick glances at each other, began to swiftly walk - then run - toward the newly constructed real estate office on the north end of town.

Twila managed to reach the red door, which sported a jaunty "Come in and let us find you the perfect future!"
Dipsy had stopped briefly to shout out to Porter - as he floated by with an oddly regal bearing -

"Dobbs! Haul your noodles out of that thing and get over here! Now, Dobbs! NOW!
I need you!"