51. Callie
Chapter 51
Callie
December 2023
The two weekends leading up to Christmas, Magnolia Falls has a Christmas Festival going on up and down Main Street. Jo Ellen and I are helping set up and figure out the placement for the vendors. Some of the vendors are only here for one of the two weekends, others are renting a spot for both weekends. So, it’s been a pain figuring out where to put everyone, but I think, after four drafts, I’ve got the final vendor layout finalized. That is if Mayor Jeffries approves it.
I’m following his receptionist, Judy, down the hallway towards his office. I love living in a town small enough that we can interact with our mayor and not have to call two hundred people before getting an appointment.
Judy knocks on the door, and I hear a faint “come in” before she opens the door.
“Mayor Jeffries, I’ve got Callie Callahan here. She’s got the vendor layout finished and ready for your approval before they move to the next step of setting things up.” She waves me into the room and leaves, shutting the door behind her.
“Good afternoon, Callie. Thank you so much for doing this. I know it wasn’t an easy task, but we appreciate it more than we’ll be able to show.” He raises his hand to accept the documents and points to the chair sitting in front of his desk, “Go ahead and sit down. We can go over these now if you’ve got time to hang around.”
“I’ve got time! Thank you for meeting with me. I hope I’ve got them where it makes the most sense. I tried to keep similar vendors separated from each other and placed food vendors throughout the whole area, so they weren’t all on one end.” I’m talking too fast, and my nerves are for sure showing.
“Well, let’s see. I like how you’ve got the layout and shape following the walking path. In the past, we’ve had them scattered throughout the middle, too, but I think this makes more sense. Especially for families that will be coming through with wagons and strollers. It will be much easier to navigate the paved walking area.” He skims over the pages and nods now and then. The longer he’s quiet the more my nerves spike. I know no news is good news usually but that’s not what my brain is telling me right now.
“I was trying to set it up in a way that would benefit everyone. I thought having it set up facing the walking path would allow easier access to the vendors and then if they wanted to eat picnic style in the middle, the area is open to that. I know there will be picnic tables set up as well.” I grab the hem of my shirt and run it through my thumb and index finger, trying to keep myself calm and breathing normally.
“This looks perfect, Callie. I’m going to make a copy for the records here in the office then I’ll give this back to you so that you can hand it over to you to submit to Meredith and Jason.”
Whew. “Thank you. I’ve got a meeting with them in an hour, so that works perfectly.” Meredith and Jason have overseen the festival for the last four years and they’ve always done a great job making sure everything is taken care of and any issues are handled quickly.
After leaving Mayor Jeffries's office I found myself heading to The Daily Drip. As I enter the door the bell above jingles causing the barista’s head to pop up. “Hey, welcome to Daily Drip. What can I get started for you today?” The name tag reads Elaine, and it fits the petite blonde well. Her hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she’s got a few strands hanging loose around her face.
“Even though it’s chilly outside, I think I want an iced caramel macchiato.”
“I can do that, what size do you want today?” Elaine asks while stepping to the right to grab a cup.
“I’ll take a medium. And a slice of banana nut bread, warmed please.”
“Alright.” She starts while pushing buttons on the register in front of her. “That’ll be $8.67, and I’ll have them ready at the other end of the counter for you. Did you need a receipt?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you.” I swipe my card and walk down to the opposite end of the counter to wait for my order. I’ve got just about forty minutes before I need to meet Meredith and Jason at Val’s. We’re having dinner together while we discuss the festival.
The festival is well underway, and things have been smooth so far. The vendor layout is so much better this year and Meredith already asked me to oversee that next year, too. It should go a lot smoother since I’ve got the basic layout already done, I’ll just have to change up vendors.
It’s such a good feeling knowing you’re a part of this small town where you see families enjoying themselves and making memories together. I love that this is where, one day, my children will call home and make these same memories with Mason and me.
There are so many food vendors here and until I saw the street taco food truck I had no idea what I would decide to eat. I haven’t had street tacos in forever and I can never make them right when I try.
“Mase, which tacos are you getting? I’m debating the Carne Asada or Carnitas. They’re both so good that no matter which I end up with I know my stomach will appreciate it.” I say, laughing and looking up at Mason.
“I think I’m going with Carne Asada. Why don’t you get the Carnitas, and we can sample each other’s?”
“Oh, good idea! Then I don’t have to choose.”
After we’ve paid and received our food, we walk to the center opening and grab a spot to sit. There are so many people here and no picnic tables left but I’m fine with sitting on the ground. We pick a spot in the sun to try to savor some of the sunshine for warmth.
“Oh my,” I say, covering my mouth. “This is so good, Mason. These are probably the best street tacos I’ve ever had. I wonder if they stick around this area, or if they go all over the place. I will need to eat here again.”
“We’ll have to look them up later. I wouldn’t mind taking a drive if we have to, honestly. These are pretty damn good.”
After we finish eating, we pick up our trash and walk back towards the path. Throwing it away, I look at Mason, “We started on that side, let’s go this way and loop back around so we can check out each vendor.”
“I like that idea. You lead the way, Cal.”