Chapter 34
Dot was up and out early the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. This was For the Win’s big summer kickoff at the county farmer’s market to help register more Democrats and increase yard signage, post support on social media, and get out the vote.
“It’s cold here, too—we’re expecting a foot of snow this weekend. Late spring snow. So great!”
Her sister had a weird idea of what great weather was.
At their booth, Dot and her team worked together to hang up their banner and set out their supplies while chatting with their farmer’s market neighbors.
One was a young mom who made the town’s favorite flavored popcorn, and the other was a farmer and his wife who sold pickles in lots of flavors like classic, spicy, cherry dill, and German mustard.
“Garlic parmesan or beer cheese popcorn?” the lady from Pop It Like It’s Hot offered the FTW team while tossing a handful of it into her mouth.
“Wow. How nice.” Dot didn’t want to be rude but it was a little early for that combo meal.
“Oh, I just ate but thank you. I’ll buy some to take home, that’s for sure.” She gave her a bright smile along with that little white lie.
Mimi from Flour Power came by with a box of hot coffee and some pastries that FTW would hand out to anyone who stopped by.
“Oh nice. You’re my new best friend, Mimi,” Fletcher flirted. He winked at her, and Mimi smiled shyly. Dot thought they’d make a cute couple. She had cooled on Fletcher since the bumblebee incident. Maybe Mimi would be good for him instead.
The sun started to warm up the temperature, and the early birds out walking their dogs and babies came through the middle of the pedestrianized street.
Everyone had their groceries, with heads of light green lettuce, big bags of cucumbers, boxes of tomatoes, and bundles of radishes.
There were strawberries, blueberries, and cherries, plus hunks of cheese—Colby, muenster, and Dot’s favorite, buttermilk blue.
Big bouquets of fresh flowers spilled out of carts, and everyone carried a hot drink of some kind from one of the carts selling cappuccinos, matcha, chai lattes, and hot chocolate.
A local musician tested his sound system, getting ready for a few hours of entertainment.
“A girl could get used to this, Rose,” Dot said, elbowing her friend.
“The farmer’s market is one of the reasons I’ve never left Cedar Falls. Been coming here since I was a little girl.”
Having Rose with them was key to getting people to stop by their booth. She knew so many people, and would ask about their children and grandchildren, which made them linger a little longer. After a while, Rose would ask them to make sure they were signed up with For the Win.
“Remember, democracy’s a participatory sport,” she’d say. “You have to suit up and play.” Her spunk was infectious and inspired Dot and Fletcher. By late morning, they had gone through their pastries and signed up dozens of people, many of them first-time voters.
“I’ll go get some more goodies from Mimi,” Fletcher said. “Think that’s okay? Or do you need me to stay?”
“Good idea,” Dot said. “Take your time. Rose and I can manage for a while.”
She watched him walk away. He was incredibly good looking. But the bee thing stung.
AROUND NOON, DOT kept an eye out for Mary and Harper, who had volunteered to pass out FTW flyers for the get-out-the-vote campaign.
They were due to help at the booth for the last couple of hours the market was open.
After, they planned to get lunch at Brew and Chew, a local brewery and sandwich joint that had live music every Saturday and Sunday.
They could sit outside with Pippi on their laps or in her tote bag.
Dot had a feeling they’d be spending a lot of time on that patio over the summer.
Fletcher came back just as they were wrapping things up.
“Sorry I didn’t get back sooner with some doughnuts. Mimi was crushing it—there were so many people there. I got behind the counter and tried to help.”
“That’s so nice of you. I’m sure she appreciated it,” Dot said. “We had plenty of customers—even without doughnuts. It was a decent first effort.”
“Cool. I’m going to head back to the bakery after we put all this away.”
He’s moving fast on Mimi, Dot thought. Good for him. And her.
“Hey there, For the Win, everybody!” Mary’s Staten Island accent was unmistakable.
And her outfit was unforgettable. She wore dark gray leggings, tall beige leather boots, a white button-down, a tight red sweater, and a faded jean jacket with the sleeves rolled up.
She had a navy NYPD baseball cap on, and her dark hair tumbled down her back.
“Hi, guys! We’re almost done here.” Dot was so glad to see them. She was ready to kick back for the afternoon with her girlfriends.
“We ran out of flyers,” Mary said, showing her empty hands.
“Yeah, all the guys wanted to chat up Mary,” Harper said.
“Well thank goodness for that,” Rose said. “We’ll have to keep you two around!”
“Sorry we’re running a little late,” Harper said. She had on a long cotton printed dress with a rope belt, white sneakers, and Pippi in a cloth Reader Falls Bookshop tote bag. “We stopped and got some doggie macaroons and venison jerky.” She held up her bag of goodies for the dog.
“We’ve had a great day so far. Here,” Dot said. “Can you put this spicy buffalo popcorn in your bag? I bought it from the lady next door.”
“Sounds delicious,” Mary said. “Give me some of that now.” She opened the bag and took a handful.
The Crew and the For the Win team finished cleaning up their booth, formed a line, and carried everything back to the offices.
“See you Monday!” Dot said to Fletcher and Rose. “We have a call with Kitty at nine. I think she’ll like our update. And soon we’ll have an actual nominee.”
“Whether it’s Governor Stone or Senator Lopez, I’m ready—let’s effin’ go,” Rose said.
“Rose!” Dot laughed, a little shocked by Rose’s profanity. It wasn’t like her.
“Sorry, I got that from my grandson,” she said. “Hey, you kids work hard. Thanks for letting this old lady be a part of it.”
“You’re our secret weapon, Rose. We couldn’t do it without you,” Fletcher said.
Dot agreed and gave her a hug goodbye.
Then she hooked her elbows through Mary and Harper’s arms and said, “I’m starving. Feed me.”
“We’ve got you, girl.” Mary led the way.
ON THEIR WAY to lunch, Dot stopped on the sidewalk.
“Mary, I think Hot Cop Jake is over there.”
Mary’s head shot up.
They looked over at the Bethesda Lutheran Church stall selling fruit, vegetables, nuts, cheese, baked goods, and fresh flowers. Jake and Tommy were hauling boxes into the back of a large pickup truck bed.
“Oh, Tommy’s there, too.” Harper waved. “Hey, Tommy!”
Tommy shielded his eyes from the sun and looked for the source of the voice calling for him.
“Oh, hi, Harper! Dot, Mary. And Pippi, how’s my girl?” Tommy walked over and patted the dog’s head. “Cute dress, Harper.”
“Oh thanks,” Harper said. She wasn’t used to getting compliments. “It has pockets.”
“New York, New York,” Jake sang as he walked over to join them. “Why are you loitering out here? Up to something, huh?”
“Still deciding,” Mary said. “I like to strike when it’s least expected.”
“What are you all doing today?” Tommy asked, as he wiped his hands on a cloth.
“Just heading to lunch at Brew and Chew. Want to join us?” Harper said.
“We would,” Jake said. “But we’re helping our parents with their stall at the market.”
“Hey Mom, Dad, look who we ran into,” Tommy said as Grace and Joe Taylor came around the corner. They gave The Crew hugs.
“So nice to see you girls,” Joe said.
“Oh, thanks. We talk about our fantastic night out on the farm all the time,” Dot said.
“Well, you gotta come back out. It’s real nice out now with all the fields planted.”
“Mr. Taylor—I’ve been wanting to come talk to you about the farm,” Mary said. “I’ve got a little information that might be worth sharing.”
Jake looked at her, grateful that she cared about his parents’ worries about holding on to the farm.
“I’d love to get your thoughts,” Joe said. “There’s a big hearing come up on it in a few weeks, and our lawyers aren’t optimistic. Duncan’s Doughnuts and Diner on Tuesday? It’s just off Washington Street. I have a fairground meeting at ten a.m. that day. I could meet you before.”
“I love a breakfast date,” she said. “My favorite kind.”
“Heck, if it’s a date, maybe I’ll come along,” Jake said.
“Hey now, I asked her first!” Joe playfully elbowed his son in the ribs.
“You know, I was thinking,” Grace said. “You boys should take these girls out to a traditional Wisconsin supper club. They can’t go back to New York until they’ve gone at least once.”
“That’s a great idea.” Tommy nodded, “Maybe I can get somebody to cover for me at the Sin Bin one night. We can recruit Danny to come along.”
Dot’s ears perked up on hearing that idea.
“A supper club? Sounds fancy,” Harper said.
“Oh yeah, it’s really sophisticated. Wait until you see it,” Jake said, rolling his eyes a bit in jest.
“I’ll make a reservation for next Saturday night for the six of you. How about seven o’clock at the Cedar Falls Inn?”
Mary thought Grace was hilarious as she played matchmaker for her sons. And she didn’t mind one bit. “You bet. Will be there with bells on,” she said directly to Jake.
“Great. You’ll love it. The supper club is Wisconsin at its finest,” Grace said.
THE CREW TURNED to head to lunch, the sun warming their backs.
“Well, Mary, Hot Cop Jake is definitely into you. Wisconsin’s finest indeed,” Dot said, throwing an arm around Mary and hip checking her.
“Oh, stop!” Mary said. But she had to admit it. Dot wasn’t wrong. And the feeling might be mutual.