Page 38 of Rumors in Bayberry
“Oh, no.I’m not serving you.If you want lunch, you can help.”She turned around with two cans of tomato soup in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other.“So, which will it be?Soup?Or sandwich?”
He looked back and forth at his options.Just then there was a loud crack of thunder, and the lights went out.Even though it was lunchtime, the outage caused long shadows in the apartment.
Just when he was about to say that lunch would have to wait, the lights flickered back on.There were beeps and buzzes around the apartment as the electronics powered up.
“I didn’t know we were supposed to get bad weather today,” he said.
She nodded.“It’s supposed to clear up this afternoon, and then there is a possibility of more rain tonight.I think there’s a possibility of bad weather the rest of the week.I hope it doesn’t ruin the Pumpkin Festival.”Taking the decision out of his hands, she handed him the soup.“The bowls are in the cabinet to the right of the sink.We better hurry before the power goes off again and stays off.”
“Agreed.”
They worked quietly together in the kitchen.Sadie had him add half water and half milk to the soup and a bit of margarine.Before it went into the microwave, she added a dash of black pepper.He wasn’t so sure about her concoction, but when he tasted the soup, he was surprised by its cream, tangy flavor.It no longer resembled soup that had come from a can.
“This is really good.”With the spoon in his hand, he pointed at the bowl.
“I guess you did a good job making the soup.”She dunked her grilled cheese in the soup and then took a bite.
“But all I did is what you told me to do.You’re the one that made it taste so good.”
“Well, I’m glad you like it.Now, you can do it when you go home.”
“Speaking of going home,” he said.“I can’t do that until I make a decision about the newspaper.”
She was just about to dunk her sandwich in the soup again, but she paused.“Why are you talking to me about it?”
“Because I don’t want the paper without you.”
“What?”She sent him a puzzled look.“You don’t need me.I’m sure you can install your own people.”
He shook his head.“That’s not what we do.In most cases, we keep the staff that’s already running the paper.”
“Oh.I didn’t know that.But I was only filling in for my father.”
“Who is planning to retire.”
“Then you could promote someone else to managing editor.”
“But that doesn’t fix my problem.”
“Yes, it does.The staff can continue to run the paper, and you can go back to Chicago.”
He shook his head.“That’s not my problem.”
She sighed.“What problem?”
“I need your voice.It’s what drew me to the paper.I really like the way your pieces are uplifting and make me want to go explore whatever place you’re talking about.Just like visiting the Anderson farm.I enjoyed it, even if it cost me a pair of shoes.I can’t begin to tell you how rare your voice is.”
Color bloomed in her cheeks.“Thank you for the kind words, but I can’t stay at the paper.When my editor calls with my next assignment, I have to go.You understand that, don’t you?”
“What would it take to get you to stay?”He was perfectly serious.
Her mouth gaped.“Didn’t you hear me?I’m leaving.”
“But maybe there’s something I could do to persuade you to stay.After all, it’s your family’s newspaper.”
“And I already have a successful career.”She frowned at him.
“But the paper is your heritage.”
