Chapter 13: Madison's Meteor, Part 13

"Glad to see you're awake, Frank," the Sheriff said. "I don't want to tire you too much, but if you're up to making a statement...."

Frank went through the events of the shooting with the Sheriff, by the time he finished, he was exhausted. He woke twice in the night. Jennita sleeping in the chair beside him.

The next day the doctor told him he could go home as long as he promised not to do any heavy work. Jennita drove him back to the farm. Bob was finishing chores as they pulled in. He waved and drove off.

Frank settled in his chair and heaved a big sigh.

"It's good to be home."

***

"I'll put some supper together." Jennita went into the kitchen and Frank listened to her poking around finding things. He thought about getting up and helping her, but the chair was comfortable and he didn't feel like moving.

They walked through the barn after supper and Frank introduced her to the animals. Jennita petted each one of them.

She gave him a kiss at the door and told him she would come by in the morning.

Frank woke in the middle of the night. His eyes refused to close, so he put on his robe and wandered out to the shed. True to Jim's promise all the mess had been cleaned up. Someone had even polished the meteorite.

"I'm thinking I need to thank you," Frank said. "Don't know that any of this would have happened if you hadn't happened along." He sat on the rock and thought for a while.

"I think it is time I shared you with some more people," he said finally. "I've an idea that you'll like it where I have a mind to put you." Frank was tired now, so he walked back to the house and made a brief detour to the parlour that he almost never used. It only took him a moment to find what he was looking for. Then he went to bed.

In the morning the sounds and smells of cooking woke him. Frank wrapped his robe around him and went out to greet his visitors. Jennita had brought Alixxa with her.

"I don't know how to make coffee," Jennita said. "Alice loaned me Alixxa as long as I had her back for the lunch crowd." Alixxa waved from where she was pouring coffee into one of Frank's chipped mugs.

They ate breakfast in companionable silence. After struggling into his clothes, Frank went out to watch Bob doing the chores. They sat on the porch and finished off the pot of coffee. Bob headed off to the plant and Frank went into town with Jennita and Alixxa.

The coffee shop was full, but people, both strangers and friends welcomed Frank and made space for him to sit. Alice came over and just looked at him.

"This place just wouldn't be the same without you," she said. "I'm glad you're OK."

"I'm thinking we'll have the lunch special, Alice." Frank said. "I've been pining for your good food."

"Two specials, coming right up," Alice said she walked through the plastic sheet that still divided the two rooms and called the order to the kitchen.

"I don't mean anything bad about your cooking," Frank whispered to Jennita as he took her hand. Jennita refused to let go, so they sat holding hands and saying nothing when Alice brought their soup. Frank saw the question in Alice's gaze as she brought out the sandwiches, but he didn't say anything.

"Well are you going to ask her or not?" Alice said.

"Ask me what?"

Frank pulled a tiny velvet pouch from his pocket.

"Remember I told you if I took you to lunch at Alice's that she would have us engaged before we got to the pie? It only works if you say yes." He held out a ring in his hand.

Jennita gave him her smile with the crinkles which warmed him through and through. She looked at Alice.

"I'll have the cherry pie, I think." Somehow she'd put the ring on without Frank seeing it and held it out to admire it on her hand.

"Same here, Alice," Frank said. The whole crowd cheered while Jennita leaned across the table and gave him a kiss.

***

Frank walked down Main Street. It had only been a couple of months and his shoulder was as good as new. He ducked into Alixxa's Coffee and ordered his usual black coffee.

"You really should try one of the fancy coffees," Alixxa said, "I'll even give you the first one free."

"I'm fine with this," Frank toasted her with his cup. Alice waved at him from the counter on the restaurant side of the arch. One of the new girls came through to fill the carafe and grinned at him.

"Folks are saying you should run for Mayor next year."

"Nope." Frank sipped at the hot rich coffee. "But I think your Aunt would do well."